The Iraq History Project (IHP) evolved out of an oral history research program started in 2003 by the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights. The International Human Rights Law Institute reviewed the material gathered and formulated a revised methodology based on a review of the work of truth commissions and other large-scale human rights data collection projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

When the project began, it was not clear whether it would be possible to effectively gather detailed narratives on past violations in Iraq. For logistical, training and security reasons, the IHP began gathering interviews in the north with a staff of 25, including a project manager, 15 interviewers, a database manager, 5 database entry specialists, and a number of office and support staff. This group worked together during a five month preliminary research stage to test the project methodology, ensure the proper functioning of the database, and establish a series of logistical and organizational policies. During this time, the team gathered several thousand interviews in the governorates of Dohuk, Erbil, and Sulaimaniya.

IIn the spring of 2006, IHP staff trained additional supervisors and analysts, doubled the number of database entry staff and trained 28 additional interviewers to gather narratives in the Center and South of the country. These interviewers worked in Baghdad as well as the governorates of Anbar, Babylon, Basrah, Diyala, Dohuk, Karbala, Kirkuk, Missan, Muthanna, Najaf, Ninewa, Qadissiya, Salah al-Din, Thi-Qar, and Wassit.

Over the next twelve months, additional supervisors, translators, and interviewers were trained. In early 2007, data entry staff were increased to over 35 to ensure that all material was entered into the database. At peak levels, the IHP had over 60 staff.

By mid-2007, the IHP completed gathering testimonies and finished entering all the material into the database. The project then began presenting material publicly through publications, radio programs, and events. The IHP expects to complete its work by mid-2008.