An Existentialist Victimology of the Halabja Genocide and Survivorship Narratives
摘要
This chapter examines the Halabja genocide through the lens of existentialist victimology, exploring its profound impact on individual and collective identities within the survivors’ community. On March 16, 1988, the Iraqi regime conducted a chemical attack on the town of Halabja, resulting in the deaths of thousands and leaving survivors with deep psychological scars. This chapter investigates the existential dimensions of victimhood, focusing on how survivors confront the absurdity of their suffering and the loss of meaning in the wake of brutality. By analyzing personal testimonies and survivorship narratives, the chapter highlights the struggles of Halabja survivors to reclaim their agency and redefine their identities amid overwhelming trauma. Furthermore, it also delves into the challenges that survivors encounter, such as political and institutional neglect, including disregard for their health needs, economic marginalization, and discriminatory practices related to their access to resources. The chapter concludes by examining how these conditions hinder healing and reconciliation while exacerbating their indelible state through collective memory.