President Nechirvan Barzani on Tuesday commemorated Leyla Qasim and her companions on the 52nd anniversary of their execution by Iraq’s former Ba’ath regime.
In an official statement, President Nechirvan Barzani described Leyla Qasim as a symbol of freedom and dignity. He praised her role in Kurdish history and highlighted her influence on Kurdish women and the wider national movement.
President Barzani said Qasim became a beacon of awareness and leadership for Kurdish women. He added that her struggle and sacrifice continue to inspire future generations across Kurdistan.
The statement also reflected on Qasim’s life journey, from her hometown of Khanaqin to her studies at the University of Baghdad and eventually her imprisonment under the Ba’ath regime.
According to President Barzani, her legacy remains deeply rooted in Kurdish collective memory as an example of patriotism, resilience, and self-sacrifice.
Leyla Qasim was born in Khanaqin in 1952 and belonged to the Feyli Kurdish community. She joined the Kurdistan Democratic Party during the early 1970s while studying sociology at the University of Baghdad.
Iraqi authorities arrested her on April 29, 1974, during the rule of the Ba’ath regime. Weeks later, the regime executed her alongside several companions.
Qasim became one of the most recognized Kurdish symbols of resistance against political oppression in Iraq. Kurdish political and cultural figures continue to commemorate her legacy every year.
President Barzani emphasized that remembering Leyla Qasim and other victims of dictatorship remains important for protecting the values of freedom, justice, and national identity.