Statement from PM Masrour Barzani on Halabja Attack Remembrance
On the anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack and its surrounding areas, today we solemnly remember the martyrs of that mass atrocity perpetrated by the former Iraqi regime, a memory that will forever remain in our hearts. We express our deepest respect for the sacrifices of our patriotic and struggling people of Halabja, especially for those wounded in the catastrophe and for the families of our fallen heroes.
Although some of those primarily responsible for this disaster have been punished, even after 37 years since this great calamity, the full extent of the damage and loss remains unaddressed. It is our collective duty to continue raising awareness of the genocide in Halabja, the Anfal campaign, and all other atrocities committed against the Kurdish people, and to provide greater support and services to the families and survivors of these tragedies.
The Kurdistan Regional Government, in fulfilling its core responsibility, considers it essential to provide proper services to the victims of the Halabja tragedy and other genocides against the Kurdish people. In recent years, several service projects have been implemented in the Halabja province across various sectors; however, it is evident that Halabja requires even more support. In this regard, we reassure the esteemed residents and victims of Halabja that, in the near future, we will deliver improved and comprehensive services to the region.
The federal government has yet to fulfill its constitutional and legal responsibility to reparations for the families of the victims and martyrs of Halabja and the Anfal campaign. Even to this day, the Council of Representatives has not approved the necessary process for establishing Halabja as a governorate. Therefore, we demand that the suffering of Halabja’s victims be addressed promptly, that their losses be rightfully compensated, and that Halabja be approved as a governorate swiftly.
We honor the martyrs of Halabja and all the martyrs of Kurdistan.
Masrour Barzani