The United Nations refugee agency today deplored Sweden's decision
this week to forcibly repatriate a group of 20 Iraqis, including five
people from the minority Christian community who are originally from
Baghdad.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said one of those
expelled from Sweden had told its staff in Baghdad that he had fled
Iraq in 2007 after militiamen threatened to kill him. He said his
asylum application was rejected three times in 2008.
"UNHCR strongly reiterates its call on countries to refrain from
deporting Iraqis who originate from the most perilous parts of the
country," Melissa Fleming, UNHCR spokesperson in Geneva,
<"http://www.unhcr.org/4d0b467c6.html">told reporters.
The agency said the repatriations are being carried out at a time when
its five offices in Iraq are reporting a significant rise in the
number of Christians fleeing Baghdad and Mosul to the Kurdistan
Regional Government Region (KRG) and Ninewa plains.
Since the attack on a church in Baghdad on 31 October and subsequent
targeted attacks, the Christian communities in Baghdad and Mosul have
started a slow but steady exodus out of the two areas.
Some 1,000 families have arrived in KRG and Ninewa since the beginning
of November, according to UNHCR.
"We have heard many accounts of people fleeing their homes after
receiving direct threats. Some were able to take only a few belongings
with them. Our offices have distributed emergency assistance and are
in contact with the local authorities to ensure that the recently
displaced Christians are supported and assisted," Ms. Fleming said.
UNHCR offices in neighbouring Syria, Jordan and Lebanon are reporting
a growing number of Iraqi Christians arriving and contacting the
agency for registration and help, she said.
"Churches and NGOs [non-governmental organizations] are warning us to
expect more people fleeing in the coming weeks. Many of the new
arrivals explain that they left in fear as a result of the church
attack on 31 October," said Ms. Fleming.
In Syria, some 133 families or 300 individuals have registered with
UNHCR since November, the majority of whom fled Iraq following the
October church attack. The number of those registered in Jordan in
October and November has doubled from the same period last year. Some
57 Christian refugees were registered in Jordan in September, compared
to 98 and 109 in October and November.
"UNHCR recognizes the efforts the Iraqi Government is making to try to
protect all its citizens, including vulnerable minority groups such as
the Christians.
"The Iraqi Government has reiterated its commitment to increase the
protection of places of worship. While overall civilian casualties are
lower this year than last, it appears that minority groups are
increasingly susceptible to threats and attacks," said Ms. Fleming.
The agency reiterated its position that asylum-seekers who originate
from the Iraqi governorates of Baghdad, Diyala, Ninewa and
Salah-al-Din, as well as from Kirkuk province, should not be deported
and should benefit from international protection.
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