Security situation in Iraq and persecution based on the geographical location within Iraq The fall of the Saddam Hussein regime in April 2003 followed by civil war and unrest significantly destabilized the security situation in the country and gave rise to violence, persecution and human right violations by various groups. In the central governorates of Baghdad, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, and Salah Al-Din the prevalence of violence, instability, and grave violations of human rights committed by state and non-state actors is extant. Despite the efforts to stabilize the security situation, the likelihood of serious harm is very high. The reports show existing threat of attacks on civilians in places of worship, market places, bus stations and other places of mass gatherings during celebrations or mourning. Other forms of violence and persecution include assassinations, kidnappings, rape, and extortion. Even if one is not individualy targeted, the surrounding events can cause well-founded fear. Furthermore, acts that restrict human rights can also amount to persecution – e.g. measures that restrict one’s ability to earn a living and as a result threaten one’s survival. Additionally, persecution can be the result of acts that limit one’s fundamental right to freedom of religion, limitations on religious belief and practice, which result in forced conversion or forced compliance. It may also be noted that residents of central governorates could be subjected to discriminatory treatment by radical elements belonging to majority Muslim groups. Non-Muslim and moderate Muslim women are under pressure by strict Islamic codes of behavior. State protection in most cases would not be available, thus an individual should not be expected to avail him- or herself of traditional state protection mechanisms. Failure to seek protection from the state should not be the sole reason for rejecting a claim. UNHCR believes that all asylum-seekers from these areas continue to need international protection and should not be sent back there. Where the numbers of Iraqi asylum-seekers are such that individual refugee status determination is not feasible, as in countries neighbouring Iraq, UNHCR encourages the adoption of a prima facie approach in which recognition is given to all members of the group. The situation in southern governorates has largely stabilized. However, in Babel and Missan the level of violence is still relatively high due to either their demographic set-up or their proximity to Baghdad or the Iranian border. Political parties linked to militia groups continue to be in power. The majority of attacks are politically motivated and targeted at security officials, local government and party officials, religious and tribal leaders, journalists and persons of certain professions. Al-Anbar is less prone to ethnic and sectarian violence due the fact that its population is largely homogeneous. Nevertheless, cases of persecution are possible in Al-Anbar and other southern governorates, and refugee claims should be individually assessed. In the three northern governorates (Erbil, Dohuk, and Al-Sulaimaniyah), there is relatively greater religious and ethnic tolerance, and non-Muslims and members of non Kurdish ethnic groups are generally respected. Nevertheless, there are reports of arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of suspected political opponents by the authorities. Hence, the international protection needs of Iraqi asylum-seekers from the three Northern Governorates should be assessed individually based on the criteria of the 1951 Convention. Even though there is a limited possibility of the internal flight alternative in the three northern governorates, each case has to be assessed individually due to the fact that it would not be a solution for individuals with certain profiles. > PERSECUTED POPULATIONS The following groups have been identified as at risk of persecution or at risk of suffering from acts amounting to persecution regardless of their whereabouts in Iraq: Members of religious and ethnic minorities Women (in particularly single women and women without adequate support and protection by male relatives) Children and adolescents Persons affiliated with political parties that are involved in power struggle Government officials and persons associated with the current Iraqi government, administration or institutions Iraqis (perceived to be) opposing armed groups or political fractions Perceived members of armed opposition groups Iraqis affiliated with Multinational Forces in Iraq (MNF-I) or foreign companies Tribal leaders and members of the Awakening Councils/ Sons of Iraq (SoI) Members and associates of the Ba’ath Party and the former regime Certain professionals Journalists and media workers UN and NGO workers, human rights activists Persons accused of “un-Islamic” behavior LGBT Iraqis rstp.ca/en/component/content/article/189-en-cat/countries/954-iraq
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 01:47:54 +0000
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