Halabja, April 20, 2025 – A high-level delegation from Pugwash-Iraq, led by the organization's president Dr. Hussein Al-Shahristani, arrived in the city of Halabja on Sunday to listen to the testimonies of survivors of the chemical attack that struck the city in 1988. The delegation was accompanied by members of the organization and a team from the Jalal Talabani Foundation.
The visit began with a tour of the Halabja Martyrs Monument, where the delegation reviewed documents and evidence related to the chemical attack carried out by the Ba'ath regime on March 16, 1988. They later listened to harrowing testimonies from two survivors who recounted the horror and suffering of that day, presenting documentation implicating the regime in the massacre.
The survivors called on the Pugwash Organization to increase its engagement with the Halabja case, to consider the city as a host for future activities and conferences, and to contribute to international recognition of the chemical attack as an act of genocide.
The delegation also visited the Halabja Martyrs Cemetery, the final resting place of 5,000 victims of the attack, where they offered prayers in their memory.
With visible emotion, Dr. Al-Shahristani addressed attendees and media at the end of the visit, stating:
"We came to this city to hear the testimonies of survivors firsthand. Honestly, we were deeply moved by the heartbreaking stories we heard. From now on, we commit to working closely with the people of Halabja to help heal their wounds."
He extended his gratitude to the office of Mr. Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, and to Dr. Muhammad Sabir, President of the President Jalal Talabani Foundation and founding member of Pugwash-Iraq. Thanks were also given to Mr. Muhammad Hama Said, director of the Halabja Martyrs Monument; Mr. Kamaran Mustafa, Director-General of Halabja Martyrs and Anfal; and Mr. Sarkhel Ghafar, Director-General of Culture and Arts in Halabja, for their full support during the visit.
It is worth noting that Pugwash organized two days of events in Sulaymaniyah and Halabja. On Saturday, April 19, the Pugwash Iraq Regional Conference was held in Sulaymaniyah under the title “Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free Middle East” which was attended by high-level officials from government and political entities across Iraq. The conference featured three panel sessions, with active involvement from the President Jalal Talabani Foundation and support from the office of Mr. Qubad Talabani.