Iraq: The Cemetery at Barzan

Facebook
Twitter
Email
WhatsApp
Print

by Sam Jerome, delegation member

The Barzani: a clan, a people from Barzan;
Barzani: their leader, inciting rebellion against Saddam;
Saddam: the intolerant, hatred untamed;
He storms in and transports 10,000 of the clan
to the south,
to Baghdad.
And killed,
mass graves.
Anonymous,
unnamed.

But now, after years,
the graves are exhumed.
Brought north, to Kurdistan,
to their home: Barzani land.
A hilltop among hills.
At home, among mountains.

There’s an old Kurdish saying: 
“We’ve no friends,
but the mountains.”
And so now, after years,
they rest.
Among friends.

Read More Stories

A roadside wall with an inscription that reads "human rights graveyard"

The “Deadly End” of migrant management

A report released by CPT-Aegean Migrant Solidarity documents the deaths of migrants in Moria’s Reception and Identification Centre between 2016 and 2020 in Lesvos, Greece.

A roadside wall with an inscription that reads "human rights graveyard"

Deadly End

A new report by CPT Aegean Migrant Solidarity documents the deaths of migrants and the Moria Reception and Identification Centre between 2016 and 2022.

Septermber Supper Fundraiser

Will you host a dinner party for CPT?

CPT really needs your support in raising $10k in September. Unfortunately, we are behind our financial targets and need your help. We want to dedicate the month of September to bringing people together around the dinner table. You can choose the date, who you invite and what you cook (though our teams have some great recipes prepared!) We’d love to hear if you’d be interested. 

There’s no commitment needed at this stage.

Skip to content