In contemporary Iraq, there is a pressing need for the rigorous documentation of past and present human rights violations. The Iraq History Project (IHP) gathers and analyzes personal narratives regarding past atrocities to enable a victim-centered understanding of the impact of decades of authoritarian rule on Iraqi society.

The IHP has several key objectives:

• To respect the Iraqi people’s right to truth

• To establish a victim-centered historical record of past repression and counter attempts to deny or minimize past atrocities

• To provide a forum where victims’ testimonies can be heard and acknowledged

• To facilitate national reconciliation and the open acknowledgment of responsibility

• To encourage the implementation of responsive state policies that assist victims of past and present violations

• To support transitional justice and help build the foundations for the defense and protection of human rights in Iraq

The prior regime linked the exercise of political power with brutality, violence and a rejection of human dignity, basic rights, and fundamental Iraqi values. While the future of the country remains uncertain, the possibility of genuine peace and responsible governance requires a serious reflection on the systematic atrocities committed over the last three decades. The IHP is designed to contribute to this understanding, aid national reconciliation, assist victims, and support the defense and protection of human rights in Iraq.