The first novel by Joost Hiltermann, a prominent international human rights and genocide activist, titled The Resurrected, has been published. The English-language edition was published in London by Afsaneh Press, sponsored by Dr. Haval Abubaker, the Governor of Slemani.
Joost Hiltermann is a leading researcher on the genocide of Iraqi Kurds at Human Rights Watch. In this novel, he has creatively reimagined the Kurdish genocide ongoings through a fictional lens. Hiltermann has maintained long-standing, direct relationships with survivors and has conducted extensive research on the subject over the years.
The title of this novel employs a profound ironic literary technique, drawing on the word ‘resurrection’—which is the literal meaning of the Arabic word Ba’ath. It serves as a direct challenge to the Ba’athist regime, the perpetrator of the genocide against the Kurdish people. Ultimately, the Kurdish nation was not annihilated; instead, it experienced its own ‘Ba’ath’ (resurrection) and revival, witnessing the demise of a regime that had ironically named itself the ‘Arab Socialist Ba’ath (Resurrection) Party.
The Kurds were resurrected, while they perished.