ERBIL: International peace organization HWPL convened a hybrid meeting in Erbil, Iraq, bringing together civil society leaders, religious figures and academics, and formally announced the launch of the Middle East Peace Implementation Committee.
The meeting reflected on the historical significance of the 1988 Halabja tragedy and aimed to institutionalise region-led peace discussions under a structured framework centred on the Public Aid Organization (PAO).
Iraq, home to diverse religious and ethnic communities, continues to view the Halabja massacre as a key reference point in national conversations on reconciliation, human rights and peacebuilding. In recent years, the country has entered a phase of relative stability, with local governments, religious institutions and civil society expanding initiatives focused on peace and social cohesion.
HWPL has been engaging with religious and civic leaders across the Middle East, gradually developing platforms rooted in local realities and community needs. The newly established Middle East Peace Implementation Committee brings together representatives from civil society, religious communities, legal professionals and administrative bodies across the region.
According to participants, the committee is designed as an ongoing consultative platform rather than a one-time initiative, with a focus on conflict prevention, interfaith dialogue and the promotion of human rights in post-conflict societies.
The meeting also reviewed joint programmes linked to the March 16, 2026 commemoration of the Halabja chemical weapons attack. Participants stressed that the event should go beyond remembrance and serve as an opportunity to reaffirm shared values of peace and coexistence. Proposals were discussed to connect the commemoration with HWPL’s Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) in a way that resonates with local communities.
Former Iraqi minister Pascal Eso Warda said peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved through external intervention alone, adding that sustainable solutions emerge when communities rebuild trust and address past trauma directly. Referring to Halabja, he underlined the need for shared standards and dialogue frameworks to prevent similar tragedies.
Looking ahead, the committee plans to hold quarterly meetings to finalise programmes related to the Halabja commemoration, alongside working-level discussions among religious, civil society and expert groups. Small-scale in-person workshops are scheduled in Iraq in the first half of 2026, with dialogue expected to gradually expand to neighbouring Middle Eastern countries.
HWPL said the launch of the committee marks a step toward transforming local peace dialogue into a sustained and practical regional structure.
