UOD, February 5, 2026, University Press Office (UNPO) | With the aim of preserving the memory of the Assyrian Genocide and conducting an in-depth academic examination of the roots of this crime,on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, the Beşikçi Center for Humanity Research, in cooperation with the Center for Genocide Studies at the University of Duhok, organized an important academic session titled “The Assyrian Genocide of 1933 in Simele: An Academic and Comprehensive Analysis.” The event was held at the University Convention Center.

The session was attended by a notable number of writers, intellectuals, university professors, and specialists in the fields of history and genocide studies. It opened with a welcoming speech by Dr. Salah Mohammed Salim, Director of the Beşikçi Center, who emphasized the importance of academic research on such historical events—not only to preserve collective memory, but also to understand the root causes of conflicts and to draw lessons for the future.

In the main sessions of the seminar, three expert panelists each addressed the topic from a distinct academic perspective, shedding light on different dimensions of the crime:

• Dr. Mohammed Salih Zebari presented on “The Historical Dimensions of the Assyrian Genocide,” providing a detailed analysis of the political circumstances and events that led to this catastrophe. He noted that the Assyrian genocide was the first genocide committed in modern Iraqi history.
  
  
• Dr. Sipel Salim Mohammed Amin focused on “The Assyrian Genocide of 1933 in British Journalism,” examining the role and impact of international media during that period and how the events were portrayed. She highlighted how Assyrian alliances were undermined, promises were broken, and the issue was instrumentalized for political interests. She also discussed the scale of the Assyrian issue following their relocation to Iraq, the economic burdens after their settlement in camps and later villages, including some areas in Kurdistan, and noted that British newspapers reported that nearly 600 Assyrians were killed in these massacres, including around 300 in the Simele massacre alone.
  
  
• Ms. Laurence Nader Mkho addressed “The Position of the Kurds Toward the Assyrian Genocide of 1933,” discussing the social context and intercommunal relations between Kurds and Assyrians during this sensitive historical period.
  
  

The seminar served as a platform for rich academic dialogue between the panelists and the audience, during which many important questions and observations were raised.

At the conclusion of the event, copies of “The Blue Book,” issued by the Iraqi government and documenting the events related to the Assyrian tragedy, were distributed to attendees. The book was prepared and presented by Dr. Salah Mohammed Salim Mahmoud.

Strategic Alignment with the University of Duhok Vision

This academic activity aligns with the University of Duhok Strategic Plan (2023–2038), particularly its commitment to strengthening research in humanities and social sciences, promoting critical historical inquiry, preserving cultural memory, and advancing social cohesion and peaceful coexistence through evidence-based academic discourse.

It is worth noting that this academic activity is considered an important step within the efforts of the University of Duhok to promote scholarly research on genocide cases and to strengthen the values of coexistence based on an objective and truthful understanding of history.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THIS EVENT

University Press Office – February 5, 2026
Reported by: Rondik Fadhil Adil
Photography: Mohammed A. Tahar

The News Keywords:

• Assyrian Genocide 1933
• University of Duhok
• Genocide Studies
• Bishkiji Center for Humanitarian Studies
• Historical Memory and Coexistence