Barzani urges Baghdad to compensate Anfal genocide victims

BAGHDAD, Iraq — President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani has renewed his call on the Iraqi government to pay compensation to the families of victims of the Anfal operations carried out against Kurds in the 1980s under the former regime. In a statement released on the 43rd anniversary, Barzani said Baghdad has a moral and legal obligation to provide compensation to the relatives of approximately 8,000 children, young people and civilians from the Barzan area whose fate remains unresolved. Barzani said the events strengthened the Kurdistan people's resolve to defend their existence and legitimate rights. He also expressed gratitude to residents of Erbil and surrounding areas who hosted Barzani families during difficult periods. On 3 May 2011, Iraq's Higher Criminal Court ruled that the Barzan Anfal operations constituted crimes against humanity and genocide. The proceedings resulted in death sentences being carried out against senior figures of the former regime.