During the demonstrations, participants urged the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraqi authorities to pursue full membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to ensure that perpetrators of war crimes committed during the Anfal operations are brought before justice. Protestors carried banners and signs demanding accountability and expressing solidarity with the survivors and families affected by the atrocities.

Local media outlets were present to cover the demonstrations, amplifying the voices of those calling for justice and recognition. KONCICC representatives emphasized that 38 years after one of the darkest chapters in Kurdish history, the pursuit of justice remains both a moral and legal imperative.

By organizing these events, KONCICC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting international justice, human rights, and the prevention of genocide ensuring that the memory of Halabja continues to inspire action and accountability.

The High Criminal Court in Baghdad reviewed the case of the Barzani massacre today, 28th of December 2025, involving three defendants implicated in the disappearance and extermination of Barzani people in Anbar, Fallujah, and the Al-Shiha desert. The defendants are Saadoun Sabri, Jamil Al-Qaisi and Shaker Taha Yahya Ghafour Al-Douri.

Six victims: mothers, sisters, and relatives of the victims of the Barzani massacre attended the session. The court sentenced Shaker Taha Yahya Ghafour Al-Douri. The ruling was upheld based on Articles 12 and 15 of the Iraqi High Criminal Court Law No. 10 and Article 406 of the Iraqi Penal Code No. 111 of 1969 and ordered the release of Saadoun Sabri and Jamil Al-Qaisi due to insufficient evidence proving the defendant’s involvement in the case.

On July 31, 1983, an estimated 8,000 members of the Barzani tribe were rounded up and abducted from their homes in the Kurdistan Region’s Zagros Mountains before being transported to the deserts of southern Iraq, where they were executed on the orders of the Baathist regime. The atrocity was an act of collective punishment of the Barzanis, whose leaders were active in Kurdish revolts against the Iraqi regime. Men and boys were the primary targets, but women, children, and the elderly were all victims. – Rudaw

Other press releases on this case: The new region: Baath-era official sentenced to death for Barzani Genocide , Shafaq: Iraq hands death sentence to ex-Baath officer over Barzani crimes

In recent years, the use of the death penalty in Iraq has surged dramatically, drawing condemnation and concern from international organizations. In 2024, Iraq carried out at least 63 executions almost quadruple the figure from the previous year according to Amnesty International, making it one of the leading executioners globally alongside Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Surge in Executions

Reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch highlight that this alarming increase marks the highest level of executions in nearly a decade, echoing a broader regional trend of rising capital punishment. Authorities have particularly targeted individuals accused of terrorism or affiliation with the Islamic State group, with numerous executions carried out following collective and expedited trials.

Judicial Flaws and Due Process Concerns

Major organizations, including Amnesty International and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, have voiced serious concerns about systemic flaws in Iraq’s judiciary. Many death sentences are based on confessions allegedly extracted under torture, while defendants face limited access to legal counsel, hasty trials, and restricted appeals processes. Human Rights Watch specifically notes a surge in executions that do not meet international fair trial standards, rendering many of them unlawful.

International Outcry

The global response has been critical. Recent reporting by The Guardian references Amnesty’s annual review, noting that Iraq’s execution practices drew widespread outrage throughout 2024, with calls to halt the death penalty and address rampant abuses in the judicial system. The World Coalition highlights that such practices threaten innocent lives, particularly when evidence is weak or proceedings lack transparency, and that the system’s shortcomings are not limited to terrorism cases but extend to all facets of criminal justice.

The Plight of Women and Families

Women have faced especially harsh consequences under Iraq’s death penalty framework. Many sentenced women are convicted for mere association such as familial ties to alleged terrorists—rather than for violent acts themselves, revealing further injustices in a deeply flawed legal system.

Conclusion

Recent years have seen Iraq emerge as one of the most active users of the death penalty, with mass executions and unfair judicial processes drawing international criticism. The combined analyses of The Guardian, Human Rights Watch, and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty underscore a pattern of increasing executions, rights violations, and calls for systemic reform.

References: dw.com , amnesty.org , deathpenaltyinfo.org , ohchr.org , ecpm.org , euaa.europa.eu

Event Highlights
Erbil
• Seminar: A dynamic seminar on the ICC’s impact on global justice and its significance in Iraq.
• Press Conference: KONCICC leaders addressed media representatives, sharing perspectives from the seminar.
• Demonstration: Supporters gathered for a demonstration reinforcing commitment to international justice and the ICC’s mission.
Kirkuk
• Topzawa Concentration Camp: A demonstration and press event at this historic site, stressing the need to remember past atrocities and support the ICC’s preventive efforts.
Chamchamal
• Anfal Monument: A general meeting, demonstration, and press release at the Anfal Monument highlighted the ongoing pursuit of justice and accountability.
Kalar
• Grave Site: A press conference at a significant local grave site provided reflection on past tragedies and the ICC’s justice-seeking role.
Halabja
• Victims Society of Halabja Chemical Attack: A demonstration and press release honored the victims of the Halabja chemical attack and reaffirmed the ICC’s dedication to confronting such crimes.
Sulaymaniyah
• Press Conference and Demonstration: Participants advocated for international justice and spotlighted the ICC’s ongoing work.

Two statements will be issued regarding the demands of the Anfal victims, calling for Iraq to become a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as soon as possible to prevent another genocide like Anfal from occurring.

The campaign to thank the ICC and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will also continue across Kurdistan, led by networks and organizations dedicated to preventing genocide and the use of weapons of mass destruction.

We commemorated the victims of chemical weapons in Erbil, Sulaimani, Kirkuk, Chamchamal, Halabja, and Hasar on the 37th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack. The event highlighted efforts in chemical weapons prevention, genocide awareness, and disarmament advocacy.

During the activities, we presented key demands, including justice and compensation for victims, accountability for perpetrators and chemical weapons manufacturers, and measures to prevent future atrocities like Halabja. We also reiterated our call for Iraq to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This year’s event was held under the slogan: “Thanks to the OPCW and ICC—protecting the world from genocide and chemical weapons.”

Want to know more about KONCICC? Read about other activities & events on our site!

On this occasion the delegation has issued a written statement to all delegates to demand an immediate action by the International community to prosecute the persons behind the atrocities by a referral to the International Criminal Court from the United Nation Security Council.

The statement of the delegation is distributed by the Assembly of the State Parties secretariat to all delegates and is available as a download below.

written-statement-asp-15

For more information regarding the Assembly of the State parties we kindly  refer you to the dedicated asp site of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court.

The activities were held in different cities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq like Erbil , Kirkuk , Suleimaniya , Kifri , Halabja and Chamchamal. In the Capital of the Kurdish Region Erbil four different activities were held from protests to seminars. Also in Kifri there were multiple activities.

Media

This year there was intrest from the media for the JusticeDay in Iraq. We were able to reach over a hunderd different media outlets. These ranged from Online-Only papers to local TV stations with a strong presence outside of Iraq.

We want to thank all the volunteers who helped us out with these activities and we want to stress again the importance of an Iraqi membership at the International Criminal Court.