Today marks the somber anniversary of the massacre of Halabja, an unimaginable act of barbarity perpetrated against the civilian population of the Kurdish town of Halabja, in the province of As-Sulaymaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan, from March 16th to 19th, 1988. Nearly 5,000 Kurds were cruelly killed in chemical attacks ordered by Ali Hassan al-Majid, better known as “Chemical Ali,” using MiG and Mirage fighter-bombers of the Iraqi army.
This massacre was part of Operation Anfal, a genocidal campaign that caused the deaths of 182,000 people and the destruction of over 90% of Kurdish villages. The words of Ali Hassan al-Majid, declaring his intention to use chemical weapons to eliminate Kurdish populations, testify to the planned cruelty of this act.
The world witnessed this atrocity, yet the international reaction at the time was inadequate. Despite overwhelming evidence, the international community failed to provide an adequate response, leaving the victims of Halabja in oblivion and indifference.
The massacre of Halabja is a symbol of the brutality and oppression that the Kurdish people have endured for decades. It reminds us of the importance of justice and accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
On this day of commemoration, we:
– Pay tribute to the victims of the Halabja massacre and express our sincere condolences to their families.
– Reaffirm our commitment to combating impunity and ensuring that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice.
– Call on the international community to recognize the Halabja massacre as a crime against humanity and to support efforts to achieve justice for the victims.
– Commit to working towards a future where such atrocities will never occur again.
Centre Zagros pour les Droits de l’Homme (Zagros Human Rights Center)
