Iran commemorates the 37th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack, urging the West to recognize its complicity in the atrocity. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei emphasizes the unmitigated nature of the crime, the suffering of victims in Iran, and condemns European nations for their involvement in supplying chemical weapons to Iraq.
On the 37th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack, Iran’s Foreign Ministry is urging the West to recognize its involvement in this historical atrocity. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei articulated that the passage of time does not diminish the impact of the bombing carried out by Saddam Hussein’s regime against Halabja, a Kurdish town in Iraq, nor should it excuse the actions of those who facilitated it.
Baqaei pointed to the technical and technological support given by the U.S. and certain European countries, which he claims contributed to the attack. He also reflected on the collective suffering of Iranians affected by chemical warfare, particularly the citizens of Sardasht, and acknowledged the numerous Iranian military and civilian victims during the eight-year conflict imposed by Iraq.
Additionally, Baqaei criticized European nations for their complicity in Iraq’s chemical weapons development, stating that their reluctance to confront this history jeopardizes their credibility regarding human rights and law. The Halabja attack, which occurred on March 16, 1988, resulted in the deaths of approximately 5,000 individuals, primarily civilians, and caused long-lasting health issues among survivors.
In summary, Iran’s Foreign Ministry calls for international acknowledgment of the complicity of the West in the 1988 Halabja chemical attack, stressing the enduring impacts of such atrocities. The comments highlight the broader implications for human rights accountability, emphasizing that countries must confront their past roles in such historical events to maintain credibility.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
