Iran’s Foreign Ministry commemorates the 37th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack, asserting that the U.S. and European nations played roles in the tragedy. The spokesperson criticizes these nations for their past support of Saddam Hussein’s regime and their current unwillingness to acknowledge historical truths, highlighting the need for accountability in human rights matters.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has taken the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack to remind the global community of the atrocity and its enduring effects. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei articulated that the passage of time does not diminish the gravity of the chemical bombing executed by Saddam Hussein’s regime against the Kurdish population in Halabja, Iraq.
In his statement, Baqaei highlighted the role of the United States and certain European countries in aiding the attack through their technical and technological support. He also mentioned the shared suffering of Iranians, especially those in Sardasht, as well as the numerous military and civilian victims who suffered from Saddam Hussein’s chemical weapons during the eight-year imposed war on Iran.
Baqaei went on to criticize European nations for their historical complicity in these attacks by supplying chemical weapons to Iraq. He stated, “Europe’s unwillingness to acknowledge the truth and take responsibility undermines their credibility in matters of human rights and the rule of law.”
The tragic Halabja chemical attack occurred on March 16, 1988, during the concluding phase of the Iran-Iraq War. The Iraqi air force bombarded Halabja with various lethal chemical agents, including mustard gas and sarin, targeting a population that had aligned itself with Iran, provoking Saddam Hussein’s wrath.
The assault led to the immediate deaths of approximately 5,000 individuals, chiefly civilians, including women and children, while thousands more sustained injuries and experience enduring health issues due to chemical exposure.
The anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack serves as a critical reminder of the tragedy and the responsibility of nations to recognize their past roles in such atrocities. Iran’s call for accountability emphasizes the importance of truth in confronting historical injustices, especially concerning human rights violations linked to state actors. International acknowledgment is vital for preventing similar future atrocities and upholding the rule of law.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
