National Archives

National archives shape the memory of individuals and communities, define their identity, and serve as a foundation for preserving information. Archives support government accountability and protect the rights of individuals, organizations, and states. By ensuring citizens' rights to access official information and historical knowledge, identity, democracy, accountability, and good governance, archives contribute to forming a responsible and informed society.

Genocide

Genocide is the deliberate and systematic extermination of a racial, ethnic, national, or religious group, in whole or in part. The crime of Genocide is defined in international law in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. This term was first used in 1933 by Professor Raphael Lemkin at a conference in Madrid. It was officially recorded in writing in 1944. After the end of World War II and the establishment of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG), this Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1948. The Convention entered into force on January 12, 1951.

Crimes

The distinction between war crimes and crimes against humanity is that crimes against humanity are specific acts deliberately committed by a government or on behalf of a government as part of a broad or organized policy in times of war or peace. Unlike war crimes, which soldiers typically commit, the state or its agents perpetrate crimes against humanity within a repressive government. The perpetuation of such acts is considered a grave violation of human rights.

Chemical Attack

Mass Graves

A mass grave is a grave containing multiple human bodies, which may require DNA testing to reveal identity or be identified through relatives by a mark on the body or clothing or anything such as a wristwatch. The United Nations defines a criminal mass grave as a burial site containing three or more victims of execution. Mass graves are typically created following the death or killing of many people, with a tendency for rapid burial of bodies due to health concerns. However, mass graves can be used in major conflicts such as wars, crimes, and genocides, which is our focus of discussion.

The Yazidi Genocide

The Yazidi genocide, a systematic crime and Sudden attack executed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), represents one of the most egregious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the 21st century. ISIS orchestrated crimes of actions targeted the Yazidis, predominantly residing in the Sinjar region of Northern Iraq, commencing in August 2014. The intent behind these actions, as substantiated by numerous international legal analyses and reports, was the complete eradication or substantial destruction of the Yazidis and ethnic group, meeting the criteria set forth under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948).

Transitional Justice

Transitional justice refers to a set of legal, political, social, and cultural measures designed to address widespread crimes, human rights violations, and war crimes during transitions from war, dictatorship, or genocide to peace, democracy, and the rule of law.

Readd More

Kudistan Genocide National Archives

1920

Genocide Timeline

100
YEARS AGO

National Archives, Oral History

Survivors of the Mass Graves of the Anfal Genocide

Survivors of the Mass Graves of the Anfal Genocide Introduction In the history of twentieth-century genocides, the testimony of survivors.

by Adalat Omar
May 19, 2026

Documents, Written History

Asi Mustafa Ahmad and the Anfalization of His Family

Asi Mustafa Ahmad and the Anfalization of His Family Asi Mustafa Ahmad, born in 1952, was a poor farmer from.

by Adalat Omar
May 18, 2026

National Archives

Official Document of Chemical Attack – 1983

Official Iraqi Government Document – Order to Use Chemical Weapons in 1983 This classified official document, stamped by the Republic.

by Adalat Omar
July 1, 2025

Documents, National Archives

Decision No. 28/4008 – 1987

Official Text of Decision No. 28/4008Northern BureauFrom: Leadership of the Northern BureauTo: Commanders of the First, Second, and Fifth Army.

by Adalat Omar
April 2, 2025

National Archives, Documents

Census and Forced Relocation of Kurdish Families Labeled as “Saboteurs” – 1987

Census and Forced Relocation In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most CompassionateConfidential and PrivatePublic SecuritySecurity Directorate of.