The Human Rights Unit at the College of Mass Communication, University of Baghdad, organized an awareness workshop titled “National Mass Graves Day: The Right to Truth, Justice, and Preserving National Memory,” presented by Assistant Lecturer Ghufran Ali Mutlak.
The workshop highlighted the significance of commemorating this national occasion as an opportunity to honor the victims of mass graves and reaffirm their right—and that of their families—to know the truth and achieve justice.
It also addressed the challenges facing efforts to locate mass graves and document the crimes committed, as well as the human rights, humanitarian, and legal dimensions associated with these efforts.
The session further explored the international dimensions of the mass graves issue by outlining the role of international conventions and agreements in protecting victims’ rights and ensuring accountability for serious human rights violations. It also emphasized the importance of preserving national memory as a key component of transitional justice and preventing the recurrence of such crimes.
The lecturer stressed the importance of promoting a culture of human rights and safeguarding national memory to reinforce the values of justice, equality, and respect for human dignity.
The workshop’s outcomes are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
