Like the Jewish holocaust, the Barzanis’ genocide represents a case of a clear-cut, "pre-emptive" targeting of the male population, followed by a "root-and-branch" extermination.

October 18, 2005

By: Baqi Barzani

While, we cannot draw equivalencies between our anguish – its dazzling depths and horrors – and the pain of any other nation, past or present, we can, in evoking our privations, weave empathy from pain. We know, from the inside, what it can imply to be abandoned to powerful governments with lofty aspirations. We know what it can mean to be dehumanized, exterminated, and massacred communally and innocently for no basis. We know what it can purport to be helpless, isolated and disregarded internationally. While the defenseless and innocuous Kurdish people were butchered by sadistic tyrants, the international community did not voice any concern or even condemn these acts of atrocities. Had the United Nations, United States or the sponsors of Human Rights intervened in the situation then, most of these genocides could have been prevented to a large scope. The imperialist weapon market and the Allies backing to Saddam could be moderately liable for the massacres committed against the Kurds.

Anyone seeking persuasive proof that it is far preferable to impeach Baath war criminals rather than execute them, need only re-assess the fearful mass murder perpetrated by the former regime as regards the retrieval of 500 Barzani clan members apart from 182,000 victims of brutal campaign of Anfal and 10,000 aggrieved Halabja victims. Like the Jewish holocaust, the Barzanis’ genocide represents a case of a clear-cut, "pre-emptive" targeting of the male population, followed by a "root-and-branch" extermination of as many of the people as could be killed outright or driven to death. Most analysts believe that the intricacy and suffering afflicted upon the Jewish community during the Nazi rule was the most catastrophic of its kind. The fact about the Kurdish tragedy is most of its part has remained enigmatic to the most global observers. Throughout the centuries, the Kurds were the first to suffer persecution in times of economic turmoil or political upheaval. The Kurdish suffering is the most passive , peerless and incomparable of its kind.

As a member of this noble clan, whose most close relatives were among those of 8,000, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of victims, to all eternal martyrs of Halabja and Anfal, to all those undying heroic men, women and children, to all sorrowful mothers and fathers who lost their dear and loved ones, to all those faithful and tolerant wives and husbands whose lives were disrupted and finally to all freedom-fighting people of Kurdistan. Their names, heroinism and great courage will never depart this life and always remain like luminous stars in the sky of the heart of every Kurd.

With the brightness that some day and some day soon each and every on of

those martyrs will be brought back to the soil of Kurdistan and those barbaric executors who shamelessly committed these inhuman acts will be brought to justice severely, disgraced and will be treated likewise. We appeal to our president to put these criminals as soon as possible on trial and make sure justice is done.