Zülfü Livaneli Resigns from His Office in UNESCO

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Zülfü Livaneli has resigned from his duty of goodwill ambassadorship which he was carrying out since 1996 in the United Nations UNESCO.

Livaneli was appointed to this seat by Federico Mayor for his “Contributions to world peace in the areas of music and literature”.

Livaneli notifying his resignation via letter he sent to Director General, Irina Bokova has stated that UNESCO by its structure is an intergovernmental organization and since it is funded by the states, it has become incapacitated to criticize the governmental policies.

Livaneli drawing attention to human rights violations, blows dealt on freedom of expression and press, emphasized that holding humanitarian summits whilst remaining silent against these and making abstract peace speeches conflicts with UNESCO’s basic ideals.

As Sur being destroyed

Livaneli expressed that it is hypocritical to make speeches of preserving World Cultural Heritage in İstanbul while treasure of history is being destroyed in Sur.

Zülfü Livaneli, who is the only Turkish goodwill ambassador the UN appointed in international area, didn’t attend the meeting “Goodwill Ambassadors” held in Paris on May 10 and the Humanitarian Summit held in İstanbul on May 24.

The figures such as Forest Whitaker, Jean Michel Jarre, Pierre Cardin, Mihriban Aliyeva, Christian Amanpour, Herbie Hanckok, Grand Duchess Maria Theresa, Monaco Princess Caroline, Claudia Cardinale are in the group of the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors. (NV/TK)