Mass Graves Day in Iraq Date in the current year: May 16, 2024

Saddam Hussein came to power in 1979, following the forced resignation of President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr. His regime was notorious for the severe human rights violations. For instance, in 1988, Hussein launched the al-Anfal Campaign against the Kurdish population in northern Iraq. The attacks were mostly directed at Kurds who supported Iranians in the Iraq-Iran War.

In 1991, a series of popular rebellions took place in northern and southern Iraq. Kurds and Shia Muslims rebelled against Hussein's regime. The uprisings were ruthlessly suppressed, Hussein's forces committed full-scale massacres.

Mass graves containing the remains of the victims were found only in 2003, following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. The first mass graves were discovered in May 2003. The number of bodies found in the graves varies depending on the source; international experts estimated 300,000 victims killed between 1983 and 1991.

Mass Graves Day is not a non-working holiday, but on this day, a moment of silence is observed to honor those who were killed for opposing Saddam Hussein's cruel regime.