Beloved Kurdistanis,
Proud Families of the Martyrs,
Today, our nation commemorates a deeply painful memory and a profound wound in its history: the anniversary of the atrocious chemical bombardment of the city of Halabja on Mar. 16, 1988.
On that day, the former dictatorial regime of Iraq, utilizing internationally prohibited weapons, committed one of the most brutal crimes in human history against our people. This atrocity resulted in the martyrdom of over 5,000 innocent civilians, the injury of thousands more, and the complete devastation of an ancient city in Kurdistan.
On this somber anniversary, we at the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation renew our pledge to the pure souls of our martyrs and to our people. We reaffirm that, as a national and patriotic duty, we remain steadfast in our diplomatic and legal efforts on the international stage. We have mobilized all of our capabilities and relations to ensure that the monumental crimes committed against the Kurdish people during the previous regime’s era are officially recognized as acts of genocide by parliaments, governments, and international legal and political institutions worldwide.
Furthermore, the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation will not cease its efforts in demanding and enforcing the right to material and moral compensation for the victims, the proud families of the martyrs, and the survivors of the chemical weapons. We believe that the realization of true justice does not end merely with prosecuting the perpetrators; rather, the Iraqi state must be held accountable and compelled to provide fair and dignified compensation for all the damages inflicted upon our people and the environment of Kurdistan.
Halabja is the symbol of our nation’s sacrifice and the identity of our historical oppression in the eyes of the world. It is the duty of us all to make it the foundation for our unity and collaborative action, to protect our achievements, and to prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy in the future.
Peace be upon the pure souls of the martyrs of Halabja and all the martyrs who fell on the path of Kurdistan’s liberation.
Glory and solace to the families of the martyrs, and we wish for the continued health and recovery of the survivors of this heinous crime.
Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation
Mar. 16, 2026