In an era where geopolitical convenience often eclipses historical truth, the struggle against collective amnesia remains one of the most important forms of human rights advocacy. A significant milestone in this effort was recently achieved in the heart of Europe’s political and cultural landscape. Inside the historic Sala Di Liegro at Palazzo Valentini—one of Rome’s most prestigious institutional venues—a public assembly gathered not merely to commemorate past atrocities, but to demand formal institutional recognition of the Kurdish Genocide and the systematic crimes committed during the Anfal campaign.
The international symposium brought together political representatives, civil society activists, human rights advocates, scholars, and members of the Kurdish community. For those in attendance, the gathering transcended the boundaries of a conventional political event; it served as a powerful reminder of the resilience of a people whose suffering has too often been overlooked by the international community.
Complementing the discussions was a moving documentary exhibition. Through archival photographs, historical documents, and firsthand survivor testimonies, the exhibition revealed the human consequences of genocide and systematic persecution. It connected the historical trauma of the Anfal campaign and the chemical attack on Halabja with the more recent genocide committed against the Yazidi people by ISIS. By presenting these tragedies together, the exhibition highlighted a difficult but essential lesson: when genocide is not fully acknowledged, remembered, and confronted, the conditions for future atrocities remain dangerously intact.
The choice of Rome as the venue for this initiative carries both symbolic and political significance. The primary objective of the campaign is to secure formal recognition of the Anfal genocide by Italian democratic institutions, beginning with the Municipality of Rome. Beyond symbolic recognition, this effort represents an important exercise in historical accountability and transitional justice. It reflects the belief that lasting peace cannot be built upon denial, silence, or historical erasure.
The Anfal campaign, carried out by Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime between 1987 and 1988, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 180,000 Kurdish civilians, the destruction of more than 4,000 villages, and the forced displacement of entire communities. Human rights organizations, legal scholars, and genocide researchers have widely recognized these actions as constituting genocide. Yet despite the overwhelming historical evidence, international political recognition remains incomplete. More than three decades later, survivors and their descendants continue to confront the painful gap between memory and official acknowledgment.
The progress achieved in Rome was made possible through the efforts of several key figures within Italy’s political and civic institutions. Special recognition was given to Claudia Papatà, a member of the Rome City Council, whose initiative, commitment, and determination played a crucial role in advancing this recognition process.
Participants also expressed appreciation for Senator Susanna Camusso, who has consistently used her political platform to raise awareness of Kurdish suffering within Italy’s democratic institutions. Her support was particularly visible during the commemoration of April 14, the Day of Remembrance for the victims of Anfal, when she publicly honored the memory of those who lost their lives and reaffirmed the importance of historical responsibility.
The event also highlighted the important contribution of Tamara Ferretti and the National Women’s Commission of ANPI (the National Association of Italian Partisans). Their participation underscored a meaningful connection between historical and contemporary struggles against oppression. ANPI, an organization rooted in Italy’s resistance against Fascism and Nazism, has long represented values of democracy, solidarity, and human dignity. Its engagement with Kurdish civil society reflects a shared commitment to opposing persecution, defending human rights, and preserving historical memory.
The discussions inside Palazzo Valentini ultimately extended far beyond the borders of Kurdistan. Speakers emphasized that recognizing genocide is never merely a symbolic gesture. It is a moral and political responsibility. Recognition challenges impunity, protects historical truth, and strengthens the collective conscience of humanity.
In a world increasingly shaped by competing narratives and geopolitical interests, where the suffering of marginalized communities is often ignored or minimized, initiatives such as the Rome symposium serve as an important reminder: justice does not begin in courts; it begins with the courage to remember.
The memory of Anfal remains alive not only among the Kurdish people, but also among individuals and institutions around the world who believe that crimes against humanity must never be forgotten, denied, or erased from history.
As efforts toward formal institutional recognition continue, the assembly in Rome stands as a powerful testament to an enduring truth: memory, when anchored in truth, can transform historical trauma into collective responsibility, and remembrance into meaningful action.
The author would like to thank Gulala salih, speaker at the Rome symposium, for his valuable insights and contribution to this article.
