ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The experience of preserving the memory of genocide at Auschwitz-Birkenau offers important lessons for the Kurdistan Region, where much of the documentation of past atrocities remains fragmented or at risk of being lost, according to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) representative in Poland.
During World War II, hundreds of thousands of people were transported by train to Auschwitz, including Jews, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, and members of the Polish resistance. Regardless of nationality or background, most were subjected to systematic killing through gas chambers, executions, or starvation. Around 1.1 million people are believed to have perished at the camp, with a majority being Jews.
Today, Auschwitz functions as a vast museum and educational institution that documents the lives and deaths of its victims. The site contains national exhibitions for several European countries and a dedicated section for Roma victims, reflecting an effort to acknowledge each affected community. Jews, along with Sinti and Roma, were among those deported to the camp.
Beyond its role as a memorial, Auschwitz operates as an educational center aimed at preventing the repetition of genocide. Its programs target a wide range of social groups and are designed primarily for visitors aged 14 and older, emphasizing understanding and reflection rather than symbolic visits.
The museum, established in 1947 at the initiative of former prisoners, was designed to preserve victims’ belongings, archive historical records, and provide resources for education, research, and filmmaking. Personal items such as shoes, suitcases, and everyday objects are displayed to convey the scale of loss and the individuality of each victim.