Ottowa, Canada - The Honourable Jim Karygiannis, Member of the Canadian Parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt, expressed his heartfelt thanks to all Members of Parliament for passing Motion M-505 with respect to the poisonous gas attack on Halabja, Iraq and other atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein.

“Twenty-two years ago today, the Town of Halabja suffered a poisonous gas bombardment.” said Mr Karygiannis. “I had the great privilege of presenting this Motion and I am deeply grateful to all Members of the House for understanding its significance to members of the Canadian Kurdish community and for their unanimous support.”

Motion M-505 reads as follows:

That this House acknowledge the actions of Saddam Hussein against the Kurdish people in Iraq including the poison gas attack against Halabja on March 16, 1988, the destruction of Iraqi Kurdish villages and the systematic persecution of Kurds in Iraq and condemn these acts as crimes against humanity.

“In 2009, when I visited the Monument of Halabja Martyrs, I told the survivors that I would ask the House of Commons to declare the actions of the Saddam Hussein government against the Kurdish people to be a crime against humanity. Today, thanks to all Members of Parliament, I was able to keep my promise.” Mr. Karygiannis stated. “Governments are supposed to protect their citizens. The attacks on the Kurdish people were the act of a madman and monster.”