University of Basrah Explores a Geo-Political Analysis of the Crimes of the Dissolved Ba’ath Party in Basrah Governorate
A master’s thesis at the College of Education for Women, University of Basrah, titled “A Geo-Political Analysis of the Crimes of the Dissolved Ba’ath Party in Basrah Governorate (1968–2003): Mass Graves as a Case Study,” examined the nature of crimes committed by the Ba’athist dictatorial regime in Basrah, focusing on mass graves and their geographical and political implications.
The thesis, submitted by student Sarah Mahmoud Shimal, aimed to analyze the relationship between authority and space, map the spatial distribution of mass graves using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques, and uncover the impact of these crimes on the demographic and social structure of the governorate.
The study concluded that the locations of mass graves were selected according to precise security and geographical considerations. Basrah was among the governorates most affected by political violence, particularly after the 1991 uprising, which caused significant demographic changes. The findings also highlighted that the Ba’athist dictatorial regime employed geography as a tool for domination and repression.
Department of Media and Government Communication
