Iraq, a country filled with mass graves
According to the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, a total of 215 mass graves have been discovered in Iraq. Out of these, 130 have already been excavated, while 85 remain unexcavated.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – International observers estimate that there are 400,000 bodies in the mass graves, most of which date back to the former Iraqi regime. The majority of these bodies belong to Kurds, followed by Shiites and Christians.
According to the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, a total of 215 mass graves have been discovered in Iraq. Out of these, 130 have already been excavated, while 85 remain unexcavated.
Earlier, Fazel Gharawi, head of the center, said the number of identified mass grave sites currently stands at 95, with 79 of them having been excavated and 16 remaining unexcavated.
According to Gharawi, a significant number of mass graves in Iraq have not yet been found, considering the high number of victims and missing Iraqi citizens. The following mechanisms are necessary to locate these graves, but are currently unavailable in Iraq:
- Utilizing satellites to survey and pinpoint mass graves.
- Insufficient human resources and specialized equipment.
- Limited budget for grave location, excavation, and medical and DNA tests to confirm victim identities.
Additionally, no budget is allocated for teams dedicated to mass graves, particularly those operating in challenging and hazardous conditions. Furthermore, many team members suffer from mental illness as a result of handling the victims' remains.