KRG: No forced returns for displaced Iraqis
Dindar Zebari, the KRG Coordinator for International Advocacy, announced during the Conference on Missing Persons in the Middle East and North Africa that 'the people of Kurdistan have borne the brunt of atrocities—from the notorious Anfal campaign to the crimes committed by ISIS against Yazidis and other minorities,' reaffirming the KRG's deep commitment to uncovering the fate of the missing and ensuring accountability for crimes of enforced disappearance.
Zebari recalled the disappearance of over 182,000 civilians during the Anfal operations, including 8,000 Barzani men, noting that the remains of victims have been recovered from 75 mass graves across Iraq, with 3,659 victims identified and returned to their families.
The KRG has worked to rescue victims of ISIS. Out of 6,417 documented cases of Yazidi abductions, 3,587 individuals have been freed, while 2,830 remain missing.
The official backed international recommendations on addressing enforced disappearances, including criminalization, investigative reforms, and better protections for vulnerable groups—measures already incorporated into the region's 2021–2025 Human Rights Action Plan focused on justice and survivor support.
He also called on the international community to fulfill its humanitarian responsibilities and provide the technical, financial, and logistical support needed to accelerate investigations into enforced disappearances.
Zebari highlighted cooperation with the United Nations Investigative Team (UNITAD), which led to the preservation and digitization of more than 408,000 pages of investigative files—documents he described as essential for future legal proceedings against ISIS perpetrators.
He pointed to the KRG's rehabilitation and support initiatives, including the Psychological Treatment Institute in Duhok, a center documenting genocide-related sexual crimes, and a facility dedicated to assisting liberated women.
'These institutions have collectively provided psychological and legal support to over 1,278 survivors,' Zebari pointed out. He also showcased the KRG's use of advanced forensic tools, including DNA analysis, as a vital means of identifying remains and offering closure to victims' families.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Mystery surrounds psychiatrist's death in Iraq
Shafaq News – Basra On Wednesday, dozens of citizens and activists gathered in Basra, calling for full transparency over the death of Iraqi psychiatrist Ban Ziyad and urging authorities not to close the case until the official forensic report is issued. 'Labeling this as suicide without clear, independent proof would be an injustice,' a protester stated to Shafaq News, emphasizing the need for an investigation free from political or other external influence. Ziyad, regarded as a promising young figure in psychiatry, had recently delivered a well-received lecture at a scientific conference. Her sudden death and the circumstances in which her body was found have fueled public concern amid conflicting accounts. Earlier, Basra Governor Asaad al-Eidani noted that a preliminary investigation by the provincial criminal police indicated the incident may have been a suicide, though further confirmation was still required. He also explained that investigators had reviewed laboratory results and recordings from the late doctor's office, with no evidence to date suggesting homicide, external pressure, or interference. Dismissing the circulating allegations involving Ziyad's brother as unsupported by current forensic findings, al-Eidani underscored that the final forensic report, expected on Sunday, will be decisive in determining the outcome of the investigation.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Security briefing: Security pact with Iran and abduction reported across Iraq
Shafaq News Below is a summary of key security and public safety incidents reported across Iraq on August 11, 2025. Iraq, Iran Sign Security Memorandum on Opposition Groups (Baghdad) A senior Iraqi security source revealed details of a newly signed security memorandum between Iraq and Iran, stating that the agreement addresses the presence of Iranian opposition groups in northern Iraq. Decomposed Body Found in Kirkuk Home (Kirkuk) A medical source reported the discovery of a man in his sixties found dead inside his home in the Al-Qadisiyah neighborhood, adding that the police responded to a call from residents before confirming the death. Integrity Commission Arrests Officials Over Embezzlement (Saladin) The Federal Integrity Commission arrested a senior official in the Saladin governor's office and three engineers for deliberately harming public funds and interests. Investigators pointed out that the assistant director of the monitoring and auditing department had issued a fake advance audit document worth more than 1.449 billion dinars ($3.58M). National Security Adviser's Staff Member Kidnapped (Baghdad) A security source reported the abduction of a National Security Advisory staff member under mysterious circumstances after leaving his home in Baghdad. His family stated that he was followed by two unidentified vehicles before being taken to an unknown location. Kirkuk Court Releases Two in US Flag Car Display Case (Kirkuk) A source told Shafaq News that Iraqi authorities released two young men detained for displaying US flags on their cars in Kirkuk. Boy's Body Recovered from Diyala River (Diyala) A security source reported that a 14-year-old boy suffering from epilepsy drowned after having a seizure and falling into the Diyala River. Civil defense teams recovered the body and opened an investigation.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Russia, Iran, China, North Korea deepens strategic ties
Shafaq News – Washington Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea are deepening their strategic partnership, countering claims that the so-called 'axis of disruption' had weakened after Iran's recent 12-day conflict with Israel, according to a report by the National Security Journal. The alliance is extending across military, technological, and space domains. Tehran recently launched a communications satellite on a Russian Soyuz rocket, continuing earlier collaboration such as the 2022 'Khayyam' mission from Kazakhstan. This cooperation also includes advanced weaponry and technology. Chinese-made engines are reportedly aiding Russia in producing Garbiya-A1 attack drones despite Western sanctions, while Iran is turning to China for stealth fighters and sophisticated air defense systems. Diplomatic and commercial ties are likewise expanding. Russia has resumed flights to Pyongyang, and Tehran is seeking Moscow and Beijing's backing on its nuclear agenda, reflecting a multifaceted and increasingly influential alliance. The National Security Journal further cautioned that Western powers should not underestimate this coordination, as these nations advance drones, space programs, and broader military initiatives at a pace that challenges global norms.
