2nd International Conference on Kurds' Genocide Kicks Off in Sulaymaniyah

Kurdistan 11:38 AM - 2025-08-25

Sulaymaniyah Governor Haval Abubakir addressing the conference on “Kurds’ Genocide and Its Reflectio

The second international scientific conference on “Kurds’ Genocide and Its Reflection in Literature, Arts, and Media” commenced in Sulaymaniyah under the supervision of Hama Hama Saeed, Minister of Culture and Youth in the Kurdistan Region. 

The event brings together researchers, academics, writers, artists, cultural figures, and experts from seven countries. Over the course of two days, the conference will present and discuss 28 scientific papers addressing the political, cultural, and historical dimensions of genocide.

The conference commenced with a moment of silence in honour of the martyrs, followed by a welcoming address from Dalil Jamal, the supervisor of the event. In his speech, he remarked: “We are honoured to welcome you to Sulaymaniyah—the capital of culture, a city renowned for literary innovation, and a vibrant platform for dialogue and cultural festivals.”

He further highlighted that the Ministry of Culture and Youth will be implementing several of the recommendations arising from the 1st International Scientific Conference on the Kurds' genocide during the events.

Sulaymaniyah is a Pioneer

Hama Hama Saeed, Minister of Culture and Youth of the Kurdistan Region, addressed the conference, stating: “We extend our gratitude to all our guests from outside the region who have accepted our hospitality and contributed to this event through their research. It is our aspiration to make Sulaymaniyah a capital dedicated to commemorating the spirit of resistance against genocide, while serving a scientific and educational role in this field, just as it has been a pioneer in other areas of public and cultural life.”

We Must Serve Heirs of Anfal Victims

In his opening address, Sulaymaniyah Governor Haval Abubakir described genocide as the outcome of tyranny, self-imposition, dictatorship, authoritarianism, and the systematic erasure of others, their culture and memory. 

He stated: “What was perpetrated by the former regime against the Kurds was not merely genocide. It was a comprehensive process aimed at destroying the very beauty of Kurdistan, including its nature.”

Governor Abubakir called for unified efforts among Kurds and the Kurdish diaspora to secure international recognition of the genocide, stressing the need to uphold the legacy of the Anfal victims: “We must work collectively to achieve official international recognition of the genocide. At the same time, we must serve the heirs of the Anfal victims, honour their sacrifices, and present them as enduring symbols of defence, resilience, and dignity.”

The conference aims to shed light not only on the historical reality of the Kurdish genocide but also on its enduring impact on literature, the arts, and collective memory, ensuring that the crimes of the past remain preserved in international awareness.

The genocide of the Kurds, most prominently embodied in the Anfal Campaign of the late 1980s, represents one of the darkest chapters in modern Middle Eastern history. Carried out by Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath regime, it was a systematic attempt to eradicate the Kurdish people through mass killings, forced displacement, the destruction of villages, and the use of chemical weapons.

Between 1986 and 1989, under the direct command of Ali Hassan al-Majid—infamously known as “Chemical Ali”—the regime implemented a scorched-earth strategy across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This included the Halabja chemical attack of March 1988, in which thousands of civilians were killed by mustard gas and nerve agents, shocking the world with its brutality.

The Anfal itself, named after a Qur’anic term misused by the regime to justify its crimes, involved:

- The execution of an estimated 182,000 Kurds, including women, children, and the elderly.

- The destruction of nearly 5,000 villages, leaving entire areas depopulated.

- The mass displacement of survivors to detention camps and deserts in southern Iraq.



PUKMEDIA