UN Concerned about Iraq’s Forced Return of IDPs

The United Nations expressed concerns over the forcible return of hundreds of displaced families form camps in northern province of Nineveh to their areas of origin “with little notice or apparent planning”.

“Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations in Iraq Marta Ruedas expressed her concerns regarding the means and methods of transfers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps in Ninewa [Nineveh] Governorate over the past ten days,” reads a statement.

It said approximately 300 families (an estimated 1600 people) have been returned from Hamam Al Alil, Salamiyah and Nimrud camps in Nineveh to locations in Anbar, Kirkuk and Salahaddin provinces while the situation on the ground is fluid.

“I am concerned about the lack of organization and advanced communication with affected communities and humanitarian partners,” said Ruedas. “While acknowledging the Government of Iraq’s expressed desire for IDPs to return home at the earliest opportunity, all such returns should take place within agreed-upon frameworks and with due consideration for humanitarian principles.”

The first round of returns took place on 23 August from Hammam Al-Alil 1 and 2 camps to Anbar province, and was characterized by lack of information-sharing and coordination between authorities in Nineveh and Anbar. Protection partners advocated on behalf of those IDP families who expressed fears regarding their personal safety if compelled to return to areas of origin, but such apprehensions were reportedly disregarded by Nineveh authorities.  Some families were subsequently denied security clearances by Anbar authorities to enter camps in the province, and have since been secondarily displaced.

 

On 25-26 August, Nineveh authorities began the process of returning families from the Hamam Al-Alil camps back to Kirkuk province. Numerous IDP families, especially those from Hawija, again expressed fears that they would be threatened upon their return, and had reportedly received threatening phone calls from community members in their areas of origin warning against return. Despite such concerns, security actors confiscated the IDP’s civil identification, informing the families that their documents would only be returned once they boarded the convoy. On 28 August, 116 families (651 people) were returned from Nineveh camps to Laylan 1 camp in Kirkuk province.

 

On 31-August, 135 families from the Hamam Al Alil camp and 15 families from As Salamiyah camp were transported from Nineveh to Basateen al-Sheuokh camp in Salahaddin province. The Iraqi Red Crescent Society confirmed that it was ready to support the new arrivals. In the early hours of 1-September, three hand grenades were thrown into Basateen camp from outside its perimeter. The grenades caused no damage, injuries or casualties, however, are a cause of great concern for the safety of the camp residents.  In parallel, threatening messages are reportedly being shared on social media from community members who are opposed to the new arrivals.

 

The humanitarian community stands ready to cooperate with Iraqi authorities to support orderly, voluntary and safe return of IDPs. At minimum, IDPs should receive reasonable notice of organized return movements to province of origin, adequate information about their relocation options, the ability to choose whether they will relocate to camps in their provinces of origin or to their areas of origin, departure letters before they leave camps to enable them to pass security clearances upon reaching their provinces, and access to return grants to assist their resettlement. Authorities must also ensure that host communities are adequately informed of the impending returns and do everything necessary to mitigate tensions between IDPs and community members. Information-sharing and coordination between authorities of different provinces, and between authorities and humanitarian actors.