Masarat Foundation for Cultural and Media Development marks the tenth anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide, at a global moment that calls for reflection and responsibility toward the challenges that continue to threaten vulnerable communities, despite the passage of more than seventy-seven years since the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
In this context, Masarat Foundation renews its firm commitment to the prevention of genocide through an integrated methodological framework it has developed over the past years, encompassing three main tracks:
First: Strengthening historical memory and preventing the recurrence of the crime
Through the publication of the series “One Hundred Years of Genocide: From the Armenian Genocide to the Yazidi Genocide,” which aimed to analyze the roots of crimes, draw lessons, and highlight the interconnectedness of patterns of genocide throughout history, thereby contributing to the creation of societal awareness capable of detecting risk indicators before they occur.
Second: Building early warning systems by confronting hate speech
Recognizing that genocides do not begin with weapons but with poisonous words, Masarat established the Center for Monitoring and Countering Hate Speech in Iraq, the first of its kind in the country, which works to analyze public discourse, monitor incitement, and provide periodic reports that help decision-makers and international actors understand risk trends. The Center played a pivotal role in laying the foundations for a national early warning system that treats hate as a direct precursor to mass violence.
Third: Investing in dialogue and diversity as the first line of defense
The Foundation launched specialized youth volunteer networks and clusters to enhance mutual knowledge among communities, spread a culture of dialogue, dismantle stereotypes, and build bridges of communication among the components of Iraqi society. This effort is based on a firm conviction that effective prevention begins within society itself, and that strengthening cultural resilience is the cornerstone of protecting future generations from the recurrence of tragedies.
Fourth: Contributing to the drafting of the national strategy for the prevention of genocide in Iraq, in cooperation with the International Yazidi Organization for the Prevention of Genocide, which constitutes the first comprehensive official document to establish a national framework for prevention, risk management, and strengthening the capacities of the state and society for early response. This joint effort represented a pivotal step toward building a sustainable national policy for prevention.
Fifth: Working on the preparation of a school curriculum on the history of genocides in Iraq, introducing students to the history of genocides in Iraq, promoting values of tolerance and citizenship, and entrenching a culture of preventing crime before it takes root. This project comes within the framework of the Foundation’s vision to integrate historical awareness of rights and human dignity into educational stages.
On this occasion, Masarat Foundation affirms that the prevention of genocide is a shared responsibility that requires genuine partnership between the state, civil society, academic institutions, and international actors. It also emphasizes that building an environment free from hate, strengthening the rule of law, and protecting vulnerable groups are essential elements to ensuring a safe future worthy of Iraq’s history and diversity.
Masarat renews its commitment to continuing this role, in the belief that the future of peoples is preserved by memory, protected by knowledge, and built through prevention, not through delayed reactions.
