UN refugee agency concerned at forced deportations of Iraqis from Europe

GENEVA (BNO NEWS) – The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) on Friday expressed its concern regarding the continued forced deportation of Iraqi refugees in cities in Western Europe, after 61 people were returned to Baghdad.

According to the UNHCR, the 61 individuals flown back to Baghdad were mainly Iraqis who had been residing in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom. However the refugee agency could not confirm reports that Iranians were also on the chartered flight.

UNHCR’s guidelines for Iraq ask governments not to forcibly return people originating from the governorates of Baghdad, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salah Al-din because of the serious human rights violations and continuing security issues in the region.

“Our position is that Iraqi asylum applicants originating from these five governorates should benefit from international protection in the form of refugee status under the 1951 Refugee Convention or an alternative form of protection,” UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said.

The individuals returned to Baghdad on Wednesday and some said they might head to safer areas as the Kurdistan northern region. However, 11 people are from the Iraqi capital and one is from Mosul, Ninewa, a governorate where the security is extremely volatile.

“We strongly urge European governments to provide Iraqis with protection until the situation in their areas of origin in Iraq allows for safe and voluntary returns. In this critical time of transition, we also encourage all efforts to develop conditions in Iraq that are conducive to sustainable and voluntary return,” Edwards added.

UNHCR considers that serious risks, including indiscriminate threats to life, physical integrity or freedom resulting from violence or events seriously disturbing public order, are valid reasons for international protection.

The continuing violence in Iraq has resulted in large-scale internal and external displacement of citizens. Over 1.5 million people remain displaced within the country while thousands of others have found refuge in nearby countries, like Syria and Jordan.

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