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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) >> HM and others (Article 15(c)) Iraq CG [2012] UKUT 409 (IAC) (13 November 2012) URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKUT/IAC/2012/00409_ukut_iac_2012_hm_ors_iraq_cg.html Cite as: [2012] UKUT 00409 (IAC), [2012] UKUT 409 (IAC) |
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AI v16
Upper Tribunal
(Immigration and Asylum Chamber)
HM and others (Article 15(c)) Iraq CG [2012] UKUT 00409(IAC)
THE IMMIGRATION ACTS
Heard at Field House |
Determination Promulgated |
On 30 April, 1-4 May and 12 October 2012 |
|
|
………………………………… |
Before
MR JUSTICE COLLINS
UPPER TRIBUNAL JUDGE STOREY
UPPER TRIBUNAL JUDGE ALLEN
Between
HM
rm
hF
Appellants
and
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT
Respondent
Representation:
For the Appellants: Mr M Fordham QC, Ms S Naik and Ms B Poynor, instructed by Sutovic & Hartigan in respect of the first two appellants and Mr M Fordham QC and Mr T Hussain, instructed by Parker Rhodes Hickmott Solicitors in the case of the third appellant
For the Respondent: Mr C Staker and Mr D Blundell, instructed by the Treasury Solicitor
A. Law
a) The guidance as to the law relating to Article 15(c) of the Refugee Qualification Directive 2004/83/EC given by the Tribunal in HM and Others (Article 15(c)) Iraq CG [2010] UKUT 331 (IAC) (“HM1”) at [62]-[78] is reaffirmed. Of particular importance is the observation in HM1 that decision-makers ensure that following Elgafaji, Case C-465/07; [2009] EUECJ and QD (Iraq) [2009] EWCA Civ 620, in situations of armed conflict in which civilians are affected by the fighting, the approach to assessment of the level of risk of indiscriminate violence must be an inclusive one, subject only to the need for there to be a sufficient causal nexus between the violence and the conflict.
b) Given that country guidance cases may have an impact on a large number of asylum cases and appeals, their significance in saving costs in future cases, quite apart from their general importance, should require consideration of the grant of legal aid for representation in the public interest.
c) Whilst the Upper Tribunal will do all it can to ensure representation in a country guidance case, it cannot be excluded that in highly unusual circumstances such a case would proceed without claimant representation.
d) Though very considerable weight is almost always to be attached to UNHCR guidelines on risk categories in particular countries, it is not accepted that departure from the guidelines should only take place for a cogent and identified reason. Cases are to be decided on the basis of all the evidence and arguments presented to the Tribunal.
B. Country guidance
a. If a national of Iraq who has failed to establish that conditions inside Iraq are unsafe is compulsorily returned to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) on either a current or expired Iraqi passport, there is no real risk of detention in the course of BIAP procedures (except possibly in respect of those who are the subject of a judicial order or arrest warrant). Nor is there such a risk if such a person chooses to make a voluntary return with a laissez passer document which can be issued by the Iraqi embassy in the UK.
b. If, however, such a person is compulsorily returned to BIAP without either a current or expired Iraqi passport, he may be at risk of detention in the course of BIAP procedures and it cannot be excluded that the detention conditions might give rise to a real risk of treatment contrary to Article 3 ECHR. Such a risk is however, purely academic in the UK context because under the current UK returns policy there will be no compulsory return of persons lacking such documents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraph | |
INTRODUCTION | 1 |
HM1 | |
HM2 | |
Country guidance cases and representation | |
Inquisitorial role | |
The CG issues | |
Geographical application | |
UNHCR materials | |
Presentation of evidence | |
LEGAL FRAMEWORK | 31 |
The law relating to Article 15(c) | |
THE APPELLANTS | 46 |
HM and RM | |
HF | |
PROCEDURAL HISTORY | 52 |
UNHCHR ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES ON IRAQ AND OTHER KEY MATERIALS | 55 |
UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines | |
2009 | |
2012 | |
UKBA Iraq Operational Guidance Note (OGN) | |
Tribunal CG and related case law | |
Position in Europe | |
ECtHR cases | |
THE EVIDENCE | 84 |
Expert evidence | |
Dr George: | |
written report | |
oral evidence | |
Dr Fatah: | |
written report | |
oral evidence | |
BACKGROUND EVIDENCE | 107 |
Statistics on violence | |
The inclusive approach | |
Iraq as a whole | 115 |
Parties to the conflict | |
State and coalition actors | |
Insurgents | |
Level and intensity of violence | |
Targeted violence | |
Civilian casualties | |
Targeting of civilians | |
Combatant casualties | |
Sunnis and Shi'as | |
Kurds | |
Former Ba'athists | |
Comparison with other conflicts | |
Population displacement | |
State weakness and protection issues | |
Socio-economic conditions | |
International assistance | |
Returns packages | |
Returns to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) | |
Returns and documentation | |
Documentation and access to services | |
Internal travel | |
Returnees from the west | |
Provincial level | 189 |
Tameen Governorate and Kirkuk | |
Baghdad Governorate and Baghdad | |
Diyala Governorate | |
Ninewah Governorate and Mosul | |
Salah al Din Governorate | |
Al Anbar Governorate | |
Levels of violence in the five central governorates-overall picture | 215 |
KRG | |
SUBMISSIONS | 222 |
The appellants' case | |
The respondent's case | |
Submissions on internal relocation | |
OUR ASSESSMENT 15(c) | 259 |
Confinement to Article | |
The expert evidence | |
Initial observations | |
Comparison with other conflicts | |
The inclusive approach | |
The inclusive approach: other metrics | |
The UNHCR Guidelines | |
Patterns of violence and trends | |
The situation province-by-province | |
Enhanced risk categories | |
Sunni/Shi'a | |
Kurds | |
Former Ba'athists | |
State protection | |
Socio-economic conditions | |
Returnees from the west | |
Position in Europe | |
Documents relating to returns | |
Risk on return at BIAP | |
Returns to Erbil | |
Safety of internal travel | |
Documentation and access to services | |
The future situation | |
Internal relocation | |
MK and internal relocation within the KRG | |
Relocation to central and southern Iraq | |
CONCLUSIONS: GENERAL | 359 |
THE APPELLANTS' CASES | 361 |
HM and RM | |
HF | |
APPENDIX | A |
GLOSSARY | G |
DETERMINATION AND REASONS
2. This is a country guidance (CG) case which is concerned to decide whether Article 15(c) of Council Directive 2004/83/EC (the Qualification Directive[1]) prevents removal of Iraqi nationals who have no particular reason to be at real risk of persecution within the meaning of the Refugee Convention or of treatment which requires them to be accorded humanitarian protection under Article 15(a) or 15(b) of the same directive. The three appellants are young men whose accounts, which sought to establish that they would be at risk on return, were rejected. In each case, the immigration judge who heard their appeals did not believe their account. In the case of HM and RM, whose appeals were heard together, the judge found their accounts to be ‘deeply implausible’. In HF’s case, the judge decided that his account was not credible. In the result, each appellant is to be regarded as a young man who has no distinguishing characteristics other than (1) his place of residence in Iraq; (2) in the case of HM and RM, his Kurdish ethnic origin; and (3) in the case of HF, his identity as a Sunni Muslim Arab and possible indirect links with the Ba’ath Party.
HM1
5. The Tribunal for the reasons given in [36 – 39] of its decision, HM and Others (Article 15(c)) Iraq CG [2010] UKUT 331 (IAC) (hereafter “HM1”), indicated that in the circumstances it was unwilling to accede to the request for the appeals to be withdrawn. There was, it was said, an overriding public interest in proceeding to determine them. ASA had not applied for his appeal to be withdrawn, but he was not represented. UNCHR had been permitted to intervene and so to participate in the proceedings and had submitted detailed written grounds putting forward its view that compulsory returns should not occur because of the application of Article 15(c).
“…We had the benefit of a detailed skeleton argument from the respondent, although it did not bear a burden of establishing a negative in this case, and it had been sensibly anticipated that its skeleton argument should address the appellants’ case rather than deal with protection issues entirely in the abstract. The hearing took the form of an elaboration of aspects of the written arguments by reference to the factual materials, a formal response to the written submissions of the UNHCR, and response to questions put by members of the Tribunal as to various matters of law, fact and the practicalities of the intended return to Iraq. At the end of the hearing, some information remained outstanding or subject to confirmation in writing. We asked that it be provided within 14 days, RM and HM indicated they would like to receive a copy of this further information and we directed that it should be sent to them. Whilst our decision was under consideration further information relating to the return of failed asylum seekers to Iraq came to our attention and we asked for further information from UNHCR and from the respondent, the appellants again being copied in. This was provided to us in accordance with the time limits set and is considered below. We are again grateful to all those who assisted us.”
HM2
8. HM and RM appealed this decision. The appeal was brought on procedural and substantive grounds, but the Court did not find it necessary to deal with any of the substantive grounds since it allowed the appeal on procedural grounds. In its judgment HM (Iraq) [2011] EWCA Civ 1536 (hereafter “HM2”), the Court quashed the determination and remitted the case to the Tribunal. Most unfortunately, the decision of the Court of Appeal was not given until 15 December 2011. It was then necessary to ensure that there were appeals which could represent the proper scope of the Article 15(c) issue and that all relevant material was available. Following three days of hearing in April/May, it was decided to reconvene for further submissions in October 2012, primarily to ensure that the Tribunal had full argument on the new UNHCR Guidelines (UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Asylum-Seekers From Iraq, 31 May 2012 (hereafter “UNHCR Guidelines”), which had become available in early June 2012 The appellants were properly represented before us under legal aid and there were very experienced counsel and solicitors on both sides. In addition, we had written representations from the UNHCR. The appellants produced reports from two experts, who have given evidence before the Tribunal in other cases involving Iraq, Drs Alan George and Rebwar Fatah. Each gave oral evidence before us and we are grateful for their assistance which we found most helpful.
Country guidance cases and representation
14. It is necessary to take stock. Inquiries made of UNHCR and the Attorney General have made clear that the Tribunal cannot look to either of them to assist with missing representation. The inquiry of the LSC made clear that its statutory remit affords it no discretion to assist with the funding of a case where prospects of success are poor. We are aware that the abolition of the LSC forms part of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 which vests powers and functions to the Lord Chancellor for the administration of legal aid and the creation of a new Executive Agency within the Ministry of Justice. The Court of Appeal has indicated that it is important that a claimant is represented in a CG case so that proper argument can be deployed. This encompasses in addition to argument on law the ‘drawing of relevant materials to the attention of the tribunal and the making of submissions as to the effect of those materials so that the determination is based on as full and informed an analysis as possible. In the ordinary course that is achieved through both sides being legally represented’: see per Richards LJ at [39]. In [42] of his judgment, Richards LJ said this:
“The features of the legal aid system which precluded the continuation of public funding before the tribunal are deeply regrettable, all the more so when it is borne in mind that public funding was granted for the appeal to this court and the overall costs to public funds will have been far greater than if funding had been continued at the time for the proceedings before the tribunal.”
16. We have indicated the importance of CG cases and the care with which they are chosen. Their importance has been implicitly recognised by Parliament in the insertion of s.107(3) into the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 by s.26(7) of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004. This enables the President to issue a Practice Direction which may require a specified decision of either level Tribunal to be treated as authoritative in respect of a particular matter. The relevant Practice Direction states that determinations of either Tribunal or of the AIT bearing the letters CG shall be treated as an authoritative finding on the CG issue identified in the determination, based on the evidence before the Tribunal which decided it. The Court of Appeal has stated that a failure to follow a CG decision would amount to an error of law unless there was a good reason for the failure (R (Iran) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2005] EWCA Civ 982). Furthermore, the Tribunal’s refusal to permit argument to be advanced to challenge a CG decision unless supported by fresh evidence has been upheld by the Court of Appeal (Ariaya v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 48).
18. It must be remembered that appeals are brought by individuals who claim that they are entitled to asylum or to humanitarian protection or human rights protection. Appeals in this jurisdiction are essentially an adversarial process and frequently depend on whether the appellant is believed to be giving an honest and accurate account. But it is of obvious importance that the situation in the country to which an appellant says he or she cannot return in safety should, so far as material to that particular appellant’s characteristics, be known. If there is no CG case which covers an appellant, the Tribunal will have to decide for itself on such evidence as is available in the individual appeal whether safe return is possible. But the existence of a CG case will enable the Tribunal, unless there is evidence that the situation has changed since the CG case was decided, to avoid a time consuming need to decide whether the circumstances found to apply to the appellant mean that safe return is or is not possible. As observed by the Court of Appeal in SG (Iraq) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2012] EWCA Civ 940 (13 July 2012):
“46. The system of Country Guidance determinations enables appropriate resources, in terms of the representations of the parties to the Country Guidance appeal, expert and factual evidence and the personnel and time of the Tribunal, to be applied to the determination of conditions in, and therefore the risks of return for persons such as the appellants in the Country Guidance appeal to, the country in question. The procedure is aimed at arriving at a reliable (in the sense of accurate) determination.
47. It is for these reasons, as well as the desirability of consistency, that decision makers and tribunal judges are required to take Country Guidance determination into account, and to follow them unless very strong grounds supported by cogent evidence, are adduced justifying their not doing so.”
20. Ordinarily a CG case will deal with relatively limited issues so as to identify whether persons with a significant political profile or ethnic or religious background are at risk. But in relation to some countries it is inevitable that the CG case considers very broad categories of persons and, as a consequence, has an impact on a large number of asylum claims and appeals. So it is that this case is to be a CG case on the issue whether Article 15(c) applies in effect to prevent any removal to Iraq. In MK (documents-relocation) Iraq CG [2012] UKUT 00126 (IAC) the Tribunal has recently given guidance on whether individuals including women and children can safely relocate in Iraq and whether an individual was required to return to his or her home area in order to transfer or obtain documents and food rations. The Tribunal decided (see [88]) that lack of documentation was generally not an insuperable problem and not a factor likely to make return to any part of Iraq unsafe or unreasonable. As will be apparent in due course, this decision is material since it is accepted by both parties to these appeals (and is now accepted by UNHCR in its May 31, 2012 Guidelines) that Article 15(c) is not automatically applicable to the situation in every governorate of Iraq.
Inquisitorial role
The CG issues
24. In case management directions the Tribunal said as follows:
“The case will be a country guidance case on the following issues:
(i) whether there is a risk to the appellants of indiscriminate violence arising from armed conflict within the meaning of Article 15(c) of the EU Qualification Directive in their home areas in Iraq (in the case of HM and RM Kirkuk and in HF Baghdad);
(ii) apart from their age and gender it is envisaged that the other characteristics of the appellants that may be relevant to assessment of risk of indiscriminate harm are: they are all Sunni Muslims, they speak respectively Kurdish Sorani and Arabic (HF), and may be of Kurdish ethnicity;
(iii) whether any of the appellants will suffer inhuman or degrading treatment contrary to Article 3 ECHR and/or Article 15(b) of the Qualification Directive on return to Baghdad Airport or any place connected with the process of return;
(iv) if there is such a risk as in (i) above then whether internal relocation to any part of Iraq is available to them and whether they will be able to access such protection without suffering ill-treatment as per (iii) above. In so far as prospects of safe relocation are affected by the issue whether the appellants will be able to access necessary documentation in Iraq, the parties are informed that the Tribunal will have regard to the pending decision in MK (Iraq) where promulgation is imminent, whether or not this authority is reported as a country guidance case by the start of the hearing.”
Geographical application
UNHCR materials
Presentation of evidence
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
The law relating to Article 15(c)
32. We have been referred to a number of authorities dealing with interpretation and application of Article 15(c). However, there are two which bind us, namely Elgafaji v Straatsscretaris van Justitie [2009] 1 WLR 2100, a decision of the Court of Justice of the European Communities (ECJ, now known as the Court of Justice of the European Union or CJEU)) and QD (Iraq) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] 1 WLR 689, a decision of the Court of Appeal. Each of these is binding on us and QD helpfully explains and indicates how Elgafaji should be applied.
33. Article 15(c) itself provides as follows, under the heading ‘Serious Harm’:-
“Serious harm consist of
(a) death penalty or execution;
(b) torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of an Applicant in the country of origin; and
(c) serious and individual threat to a civilian’s life or person by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict.”
“… a third country national … person who does not qualify as a refugee but in respect of whom substantial grounds have been shown for disbelieving that the person concerned, if returned to his or her country of origin … would face a real risk of suffering serious harm as defined in Article 15 … and is unable or, owing to such risk, unable to avail himself or herself of the protection of the country.”
“Risks to which a population of a country or a section of the population is generally exposed do normally not create in themselves an individual threat which would qualify as serious harm.”
41. The ruling by the Court in Elgafaji was in these terms:-
“37. While [recital 26 of Council Directive 2004/83/EC of 29 April 2004] implies that the objective finding alone of a risk linked to the general situation in a country is not, as a rule, sufficient to establish that the conditions set out in Article 15(c) of the Directive have been met in respect of a specific person, its wording nevertheless allows by the use of the word 'normally' for the possibility of an exceptional situation which would be characterised by such a high degree of risk that substantial grounds would be shown for believing that that person would be subject individually to the risk in question.
38. The exceptional nature of that situation is also confirmed by the fact that the relevant protection is subsidiary, and by the broad logic of Article 15 of the Directive, as the harm defined in paragraphs (a) and (b) of that article requires a clear degree of individualisation. While it is admittedly true that collective factors play a significant role in the application of Article 15(c) of the Directive, in that the person concerned belongs, like other people, to a circle of potential victims of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict, it is nevertheless the case that that provision must be subject to a coherent interpretation in relation to the other two situations referred to in Article 15 of the Directive and must, therefore, be interpreted by close reference to that individualisation.
39. In that regard, the more the applicant is able to show that he is specifically affected by reason of factors particular to his personal circumstances, the lower the level of indiscriminate violence required for him to be eligible for subsidiary protection.
43. Having regard to all of the foregoing considerations, the answer to the questions referred is that Article 15(c) of the Directive, in conjunction with Article 2(e) of the Directive, must be interpreted as meaning that:
the existence of a serious and individual threat to the life or person of an applicant for subsidiary protection is not subject to the condition that that applicant adduce evidence that he is specifically targeted by reason of factors particular to his personal circumstances;
the existence of such a threat can exceptionally be considered to be established where the degree of indiscriminate violence characterising the armed conflict taking place assessed by the competent national authorities before which an application for subsidiary protection is made, or by the courts of a Member State to which a decision refusing such an application is referred reaches such a high level that substantial grounds are shown for believing that a civilian, returned to the relevant country or, as the case may be, to the relevant region, would, solely on account of his presence on the territory of that country or region, face a real risk of being subject to that threat.”
“In our judgment the nexus between the generalised armed conflict and the indiscriminate violence posing a real risk to life or person is met when the intensity of the conflict involves means of combat (whether permissible under the laws of war or not) that seriously endanger non-combatants as well as result in such a general breakdown of law and order as to permit anarchy and criminality occasioning the serious harm referred to in the Directive. Such violence is indiscriminate in effect even if not necessarily in aim. As the French Conseil d’Etat observed in Baskarathas, it is not necessary for the threat to life or person to derive from protagonists in the armed conflict in question: it can simply be a product of the breakdown of law and order.”
THE APPELLANTS
HM & RM
48. The two appellants sought and were granted orders for reconsideration of this decision, after an initial refusal by a Senior Immigration Judge, by Blake J in the High Court. Subsequently, after the judgment of the ECJ in Elgafaji, and the decision of the Court of Appeal in QD, following a Case Management Review, on 26 August 2009, the decision of the immigration judge was set aside. It was found that by considering that the appellants could not succeed on humanitarian protection grounds solely because they had not succeeded on asylum grounds was a material error of law. However, the findings of fact were preserved and the case proceeded to second stage reconsideration on whether “considered simply as two male civilians from Kirkuk these two appellants would face a real risk of serious harm under paragraph 339C of the Immigration Rules (Article 15(c) of the Qualification Directive)”. Thereafter the cases were joined with two others to proceed as country guidance cases. Neither has a current or expired Iraqi passport and neither currently holds an Iraqi laissez-passer document.
HF
51. The appeal having been dismissed, the appellant sought and was granted a reconsideration of the judge’s decision. On 9 December 2009, it was ordered by a senior immigration judge that the immigration judge had materially erred in law in relying in part for his guidance as to the law relating to Article 15(c) on the Tribunal determination in KH (Article 15(c) Qualification Directive) Iraq CG [2008] UKAIT 46, which the Court of Appeal had subsequently held in QD was not to be followed. It was ordered that the judge’s credibility findings were to stand, so the appellant was to be considered as a young Sunni male whose home area was Baghdad and who might have had indirect links with the Ba’ath party. Subsequently, it was decided that HF’s case would be an appropriate one to join HM and RM as cases for fresh country guidance in light of the quashing of the decision in HM2 since HF is from Baghdad and it was thought that it would be helpful to have guidance in respect of an appellant from a part of Iraq other than Kirkuk where HM and RM are from. HF has an expired Iraqi passport.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
52. In addition to the steps just described, a Case Management Review hearing took place at Field House on 16 January 2012, setting out a timetable for the serving of detailed grounds of appeal, the identification of relevant country information material, the service of expert reports, and the provision of paginated and indexed appeal bundles.
53. A further Case Management Review hearing took place on 16 April 2012 at which further directions were given in respect of timetabling for the service of a response by one of the experts and skeleton arguments. It was also clarified that permission was refused for HM and RM to seek to challenge the decision of the immigration judge with respect to the Refugee Convention and Article 8.
THE UNHCR ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES ON IRAQ AND OTHER KEY MATERIALS
UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines
2009 Guidelines
2012 Guidelines
“Introduction
These Eligibility Guidelines replace the April 2009 UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Asylum-Seekers from Iraq and the 2010 Note on the Continued Applicability of the April 2009 UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-Seekers.
The purpose of these Eligibility Guidelines is to set out the profiles of asylum-seekers for whom international protection needs are likely to arise in the current context in Iraq.
The current situation in Iraq can be characterized as one of ongoing uncertainty due to several factors, including:
(i) high levels of political and sectarian violence;
(ii) the unpredictable security situation, including significant numbers of civilian casualties as a result of attacks by armed groups;
(iii) the full withdrawal of US forces from Iraq at the end of 2011; and
(iv) continuing challenges with regard to establishment of the rule of law, provision of services, distribution of land, and respect for human rights.
UNHCR’s recommendations with regard to assessing the international protection needs of asylum seekers from Iraq, as set out in these Eligibility Guidelines, may be summarized as follows.
All claims lodged by asylum-seekers – whether on the basis of the refugee criteria contained in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 3 and/or its 1967 Protocol 4 (1951 Convention), or broader international protection criteria, including complementary forms of protection – need to be considered on their own merits in fair and efficient status determination procedures and based on up to-date and relevant country of origin information.
UNHCR considers that asylum-seekers from Iraq with the following profiles, and depending on the particular circumstances of the individual case, are likely to be in need of international refugee protection. These risk profiles are not necessarily exhaustive, nor is there any hierarchy implied in the order in which they are presented:
(i) individuals associated with (or perceived to be supporting) the Iraqi authorities, the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) or the former foreign forces in Iraq (Multinational Forces in Iraq, MNF-I or US Forces in Iraq, USF-I);
(ii) individuals (perceived as) opposing the Iraqi authorities;
(iii) individuals (perceived as) opposing the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG);
(iv) certain professionals;
(v) individuals with religion-based claims,
(vi) individuals with ethnicity-based claims;
(vii) women with specific profiles or in specific circumstances;
(viii) children with specific profiles or in specific circumstances;
(ix) victims or persons at risk of trafficking; and
(x) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals.
In light of the ongoing non-international armed conflict-related civilian casualties, security incidents and conflict-induced displacement, in particular in central Iraq, UNHCR recommends that international protection applications lodged by Iraqis claiming to flee high levels of and/or intense violence should each be assessed carefully, in light of the evidence presented by the applicant and other current and reliable information on their place of former residence. This will include an assessment of whether the violence in the place of former residence is of such a level and intensity that international protection is required under complementary protection regimes, even if the protection need cannot be related to a 1951 Convention ground.
UNHCR considers that internal flight options are often not available in Iraq due to serious risks faced by Iraqis throughout the country, including threats to safety and security, accessibility problems and lack of livelihood opportunities.”
61. At p.7 it is explained that:
“In preparing these Eligibility Guidelines, UNHCR has analysed the most up-to-date and relevant information available from a wide variety of sources at 18 March 2012. However, access to fully comprehensive information on the situation in Iraq is not always accessible for a variety of reasons. In addition to publicly available sources, the analysis contained in these Eligibility Guidelines is also informed by reliable reports provided by: (i) Iraqi asylum-seekers and refugees around the world; (ii) internally displaced person (IDP) and returnee monitoring operations in Iraq; and (iii) UNHCR operations, UN agencies and other partners in Iraq.”
62. As regards risk arising from indiscriminate and generalised violence, the Guidelines state in its summary at pp. 47-48 that:
“Summary
The levels of violence in Iraq have declined from that experienced at the height of the conflict in 2006 and 2007. However, while the violence appears to have stabilized, is still at a high level and continues to affect a large number of Iraqis.
As described above, based on information known and available to UNHCR as at 18 March 2012, the situation in certain areas, principally in central Iraq, continues to be affected by: (i) significant numbers of civilian casualties; (ii) frequent security incidents; and (iii) significant numbers of persons who remain displaced. Consequently, Iraqi asylum-seekers who do not meet the 1951 Convention criteria and who were formerly residing in governorates, districts, cities, towns, villages or neighbourhoods where, at the time of adjudication of the asylum claim, high levels and a high intensity of violence continue to be reported, are, for reason of the foreseen impact on the individual concerned, likely to be in need of complementary forms of protection on the basis of a fear of serious and indiscriminate harm arising from that violence.
Information on the levels, intensity and impact of violence in an asylum-seeker's governorate, district, city, town, village or neighbourhood of origin is needed to assess the possible protection needs of persons found not to meet the 1951 Convention refugee criteria under broader international protection criteria. The current situation in Iraq does not allow for generalised conclusions in this regard on the basis of broad geographic distinctions. Therefore, adjudicators will need to assess on a case-by-case basis whether an individual asylum-seeker who has been found not to meet the refugee criteria of the 1951 Convention will run a risk of serious and indiscriminate harm upon return. In doing so, the principle of the shared burden of proof requires that both the asylum-seeker and the adjudicator make every reasonable effort to provide specific and up-to-date information on the situation in the asylum-seeker's former place of residence to support their position.”
63. In Part IV, dealing with Eligibility for International Protection, the Guidelines summarise matters as follows.
“IV. Eligibility for International Protection
UNHCR recommends that all claims by asylum-seekers from Iraq be considered on their individual merits in fair and efficient refugee status determination procedures, taking into account up-to-date and relevant country of origin information. UNHCR considers that, depending on the particular details of their claims, individuals with profiles and in circumstances similar to those outlined below are likely to be in need of international refugee protection in the sense of the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol.
This listing is not exhaustive and is based on information available to UNHCR as at 18 March 2012. An individual's claim is not without merit simply because he or she does not fall within any of the profiles identified below. Similarly, not all persons falling within these risk profiles will necessarily be in need of international refugee protection: in the assessment of whether or not a claimant would be likely to be exposed to persecution or serious harm upon return, the specific elements of the individual claim are decisive. Certain claims by asylum-seekers from Iraq, including of those possibly falling within risk profiles described in these guidelines, will require examination for possible exclusion from refugee status.
For persons who have already been recognized as refugees, their status may be reviewed only if there are indications, in an individual case, that there are grounds for cancellation of refugee status which was wrongly granted in the first instance; revocation of refugee status on the grounds of Article 1F of the 1951 Convention; or cessation of refugee status on the basis of Article 1C(1-4) of the 1951 Convention. UNHCR considers that the current situation in Iraq does not warrant cessation of refugee status on the basis of Article 1C(5) of the 1951 Convention.”
UKBA Iraq Operational Guidance Note (OGN)
Tribunal CG and related case law
- NS (Iraq; perceived collaborator; relocation) Iraq CG [2007] UKAIT 00046
- KH (Article 15(c) Qualification Directive) Iraq CG [2008] UKAIT 00023
69. This case was overturned by the Court of Appeal in QD (Iraq) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 620, [2011] 1 WLR 689.
- NA (Palestinians – risk) Iraq CG [2008] UKAIT 00046
- SI (expert evidence – Kurd- SM confirmed) Iraq CG [2008] UKAIT 00094
70. The relevant passage of the headnote stated:
“3. The guidance given in SM [SM and Others (Kurds-Protection-Relocation) Iraq CG [2005] UKAIT 00111] regarding relocation of a Kurd from the KRG to central or southern Iraq, which was that it can in general be effected without this being unduly harsh and without giving rise to a real risk "in all but the most exceptional high profile cases" of their relocation being brought to the attention of [any of the KRG authorities], also remains valid.”
- SR (Iraqi/Arab Christian: relocation to KRG) Iraq CG [2009] UKAIT 00038
“An Iraqi Arab Christian at risk in his home area and throughout central and southern Iraq is likely to be able to obtain the documentation needed by a person wishing to relocate within Iraq, and is likely to be able to relocate to the KRG with the assistance of a sponsor, in particular, on the basis of the latest statistics available, in Erbil or Dohuk”.
- ZQ (serving soldier) Iraq CG [2009] UKAIT 00048
72. The relevant part of the headnote stated:
“v) Insofar as the risk categories of NS (Iraq; perceived NS collaborator; relocation) Iraq CG [2007] UKAIT 00046 may cover persons who by virtue of their work have become members of the Multinational Forces or the Coalition Provisional Authority, application of its guidance will need to bear in mind that the state's duty to protect them will be very limited”.
- HM and Others (Article 15(c)) Iraq CG [2010] UKUT 331 (IAC) (“HM1”)
73. The Tribunal concluded at [278(viii)] that:
“In short, the risk for mere civilians of being the victim of indiscriminate harm is not so substantial, the ability of the GoI is not so negligible and the willingness of the displaced populations of Iraq is not so compromised that return to that country would require international protection”.
75. This case was overturned by the Court of Appeal in HM (Iraq) & Anor v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] EWCA Civ 1536 (13 December 2011) (“HM2”). Albeit overturning HMI solely on procedural grounds the Court of Appeal nevertheless expressly set aside HMI’s country guidance as well.
- EA (Sunni/Shi’a mixed marriages) Iraq CG [2011] UKUT 342 (IAC)
“(1) In general there is not a real risk of persecution or other significant harm to parties to a Sunni/Shi’a marriage in Iraq.
(2) It may, however, be shown that there are enhanced risks, crossing the relevant risk thresholds, in rural and tribal areas, and in areas where though a Sunni man may marry a Shi’a woman without risk, the converse may not pertain.
(3) Even if an appellant is able to demonstrate risk in his/her home area, in general it will be feasible for relocation to be effected, either to an area in a city such a Baghdad, where mixed Sunni and Shi’a families live together, or to the Kurdistan region.”
The most recent country guidance case is MK.
- MK (documents - relocation) Iraq CG [2012] UKUT 126 (IAC) (25 April 2012)
“(1) Since the lack of documentation relating to identity in the form of the Civil Status ID (CSID), Iraqi Nationality Certificate (INC) and Public Distribution System (PDS) card (food ration card) is not ordinarily an insuperable problem, it is not a factor likely to make return to any part of Iraq unsafe or unreasonable.
(a) The CSID is an important document, both in its own right and as a gateway to obtaining other significant documents such the INC and the PDS. An inability to replace the CSID is likely to entail inability to access the INC and PDS.
(b) Although the general position is that a person who wishes to replace a lost CSID is required to return to their home area in order to do so, there are procedures as described in this determination available which make it possible (i) for Iraqis abroad to secure the issue of a new CSID to them through the offices of the local Iraqi Embassy; (ii) for Iraqis returned to Iraq without a CSID to obtain one without necessarily having to travel to their home area. Such procedures permit family members to obtain such documentation from their home areas on an applicant’s behalf or allow for a person to be given a power of attorney to obtain the same. Those who are unable immediately to establish their identity can ordinarily obtain documentation by being presented before a judge from the Civil Status Court, so as to facilitate return to their place of origin.
(2) (a) Entry into and residence in the KRG can be effected by any Iraqi national with a CSID, INC and PDS, after registration with the Asayish (local security office). An Arab may need a sponsor; a Kurd will not.
(b) Living conditions in the KRG for a person who has relocated there are not without difficulties, but there are jobs, and there is access to free health care facilities, education, rented accommodation and financial and other support from UNHCR.
(3) Despite bureaucratic difficulties with registration and the difficulties faced by IDPs, it is wrong to say that there is, in general, no internal flight alternative in Iraq, bearing in mind in particular the levels of governmental and NGO support available.
(4) Whilst the situation for women in Iraq is, in general, not such as to give rise to a real risk of persecution or serious harm, there may be particular problems affecting female headed households where family support is lacking and jobs and other means of support may be harder to come by. Careful examination of the particular circumstances of the individual’s case will be especially important.”
Position in Europe
78. A September 2010 report by the Washington Post, mentioned countries sending back Iraqis as being Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Britain (quoted by Dr Fatah at [684] of his report). Amnesty International in 2010 also included the Netherlands among countries undertaking forcible returns (see also the COIS Bulletin of 22 November 2011, collation of IGC Member States Responses on Returns to Iraq). According to UNHCR, there are five other European countries which undertake forcible returns to Iraq. In its July 2011 study, Safe At Last?, UNHCR noted that the determining authorities of Germany, the UK, Netherlands, Sweden and France, with the concurrence of the judicial bodies in those countries, have not considered that the Article 15(c) threshold for mere civilians has been met in Iraq or in any region within it. (The only country mentioned as one where the courts had found the Article 15(c) threshold to be met was Belgium, in relation to central Iraq.)
ECtHR cases
80. The two most notable ECtHR cases dealing with Iraq since the beginning of 2009 have been F.H. v Sweden and Al Hamdani v Bosnia and Herzogovina 7 February 2012. The latter is significant because it illustrates that although (as already noted) the ECtHR has stayed its decision on the case of YA v UK, App.No. 65580/10, lodged on 10 November 2010 to await the outcome of the HM cases this has not caused it to adjourn all Iraqi cases reliant on a claim that there exists an Article 15(c)/Article 3 general risk from high levels of violence.
F.H. v. Sweden, no. 32621/06, § 9320, January 2009
81. Dealing first with F.H. v Sweden, the Court had noted in its admissibility decision at [ 62] that in December 2007 and again on 15 February 2008 the UNHCR had stated that it did not promote returns to Iraq in the present circumstances since its criteria on the conditions needed for the voluntary return of refugees were not met by the situation in Iraq at that time. In its decision on the merits the ECtHR addressed the argument that the security situation in Iraq was so bad that to return anyone to that country would violate Article 3. The Court stated:
“91. In the present case, the Court recognises the problematic security situation in Iraq. However, it notes that the situation has improved over the last year which is demonstrated, inter alia, through the progressive relinquishment of security responsibility over Iraqi provinces from US forces to Iraqi forces, the indefinite cease-fire declared by the Madhi Army in August 2008, a significant decrease in civilian deaths and the fact that some Iraqis are voluntarily starting to return to their homes, encouraged by the Iraqi Government’s financial incentives and subsidy programme. Although the Court is aware that the UNHCR, UN and IOM recommend that countries refrain from forcibly returning refugees to Iraq, they have stated that they are committed to providing assistance to those who return. Moreover, the Court observes that their recommendations are partly based on the security situation and partly due to practical problems for returnees such as shelter, health care and property restitution.
92. In this connection, the Court stresses that it attaches importance to information contained in recent reports from independent international human rights organisations or governmental sources (see, among others, Saadi v. Italy, cited above, § 131). However, its own assessment of the general situation in the country of destination is carried out only to determine whether there would be a violation of Article 3 if the applicant were to be returned to that country. Consequently, where reports are focused on general socio-economic and humanitarian conditions, the Court has been inclined to accord less weight to them, since such conditions do not necessarily have a bearing on the question of a real risk to an individual applicant of ill-treatment within the meaning of Article 3 (see NA v. the United Kingdom, cited above, § 122).
93. Hence, in the present case, the Court concludes that whilst the general situation in Iraq, and in Baghdad, is insecure and problematic, it is not so serious as to cause, by itself, a violation of Article 3 of the Convention if the applicant were to return to that country. The Court therefore has to establish whether the applicant’s personal situation is such that his return to Iraq would contravene Articles 2 or 3 of the Convention.”
82. The Court went on to address the applicant’s contention that he would be at risk on return to Iraq on several other grounds, including his Christian faith. At [97] it held:
“97. The Court will first consider the applicant’s claim that he would risk being killed because he belongs to the Christian faith. In this respect, the Court observes that Iraqi national identity cards explicitly note the holder’s religion. Thus, even if the applicant were not to manifest his religious beliefs openly, it is likely that his religious affiliation would become known to others as he would have to show his identity card to the authorities in the course of everyday life. The Court also takes into account that there have been several incidents directed against Christians in Iraq, as recently as October 2008 twelve Christians were killed in attacks in the town of Mosul. However, Christian congregations are still functioning in Iraq and, from the general information available, it can be seen that the Iraqi Government has condemned all attacks against this group and that they intervened with police and military following the October attack to ensure their safety. Hence, it is clear that there is no State-sanctioned persecution of Christians and, since the attacks were also condemned by Islamic groups and no one has accepted responsibility for them, it appears that the reported attacks were carried out by individuals rather than by organised groups. In these circumstances, the Court finds that the applicant would be able to seek the protection of the Iraqi authorities if he felt threatened and that the authorities would be willing and in a position to help him. Thus, the Court considers that he would not face a real risk of persecution or ill-treatment on the basis of his religious affiliation.”
Al Hamdani v Bosnia and Herzogovina 7 February 2012
83. In Al Hamdani v Bosnia and Herzogovina 7 February 2012 the Fourth Section reminded itself at [49]-[51] that it never excluded the possibility that the general situation of violence in a country of destination may be of a sufficient level of intensity as to entail that any removal to it would necessarily breach Article 3 of the Convention. At [50]-[52] it stated:
“50. Turning to the present case, the Court notes that the applicant has visited Iraq twice since the change of regime, in 2003 and 2004. However, the applicant claimed that during these visits he had been forced to hide in fear of the Kurdish authorities as his friend had told him that he was under surveillance and that his name was on a “black list”, and that, after he had left Iraq, the Kurds searched his family’s home looking for him. On the other hand, not only did he not provide any evidence in support of these statements, they also seem to be in contradiction to what he previously said about his visits (see paragraph 23 above). From his previous statements it would appear that he moved freely in and out of public buildings and on the streets during his visits (taking his sick father to hospital and, afterwards, holding a commemoration for him). Moreover, on both visits the applicant stayed in Kirkuk for more than one month. It should be noted that the security situation in Iraq was much more dangerous at the time of the applicant’s visits than it is now (according to Iraq Body Count there were 12,087 civilian deaths reported in 2003, 11, 072 in 2004 and 4,045 in 2010; www.iraqbodycount.org as downloaded on 16 November 2011). The Court has already had an opportunity to assess the general security situation in Iraq (see F.H. v. Sweden, no. 32621/06, § 9320, January 2009). In that case, the Court held that while the general situation in Iraq was insecure and problematic, it was not so serious as to cause, by itself, a violation of Article 3 if that applicant, a Christian and a member of the Ba’ath party, were to be returned there (see also Müslim v. Turkey, no. 53566/99, 26 April 2005; for a recent assessment of the security situation in Kirkuk, see Agalar v. Norway (dec.), no. 55120/09, 8 November 2011).
51. Although the Court is aware that the UNHCR, the UN and the IOM recommend that countries refrain from forcibly returning refugees to Iraq, they have stated that they are committed to providing assistance to those who return. Moreover, the Court observes that their recommendations are partly based on the security situation and partly due to practical problems for returnees such as shelter, health care and property restitution. In this connection, the Court stresses that it attaches importance to information contained in recent reports from independent international human rights organisations or governmental sources (see, among others, Saadi v. Italy, cited above, § 131). However, its own assessment of the general situation in the country of destination is carried out only to determine whether there are substantial grounds for believing that the applicant would be at a real risk of being subjected to treatment prohibited by Article 3 if he were to be returned to that country. Consequently, where reports are focused on general socio-economic and humanitarian conditions, the Court has been inclined to accord less weight to them, since such conditions do not necessarily have a bearing on the question of a real risk to an individual applicant of ill treatment within the meaning of Article 3 (see NA, cited above, § 122).
THE EVIDENCE
Expert Evidence
Dr George
Written report
88. At [133] (see also 155), Dr George states that:
“Certain risks will apply to all returnees from the UK. In particular, they will be at risk of kidnap because, as persons who have spent time in the west, they will be perceived as being wealthy; and all returnees will be at risk from the general violence in Iraq.”
Oral evidence
Dr Fatah
Written report
101. In his very lengthy report of 28 March 2012, Dr Fatah, like Dr George, addresses the general security situation in Iraq in some detail and then goes on to analyse the situation in the five central governorates in particular, dealing in especial detail with Kirkuk. He also provides a detailed analysis of the KRG, assessing in particular security issues in the region. Thereafter he considers relocation within Iraq, both within the GoI areas and the KRG, commenting on the Danish Fact-Finding Mission Report of 2010, contrasting its conclusions with his own findings in respect of a number of issues including documentation matters, a topic on which he sets out more detailed evidence subsequently. He includes information obtained from interviews with several people, including a Kurdish police officer in Kirkuk, covering such matters as the security situation in Kirkuk and contrasting the position of Arabs and Kurds in Kirkuk. He also provides telephone interview transcripts with several asylum seekers returned from European countries.
Oral evidence
BACKGROUND EVIDENCE
Statistics on Violence
The inclusive approach
Iraq as a whole
Parties to the conflict
State and coalition actors
Insurgents
Level and intensity of violence
125. In HMI at [260] the Tribunal said:
“Like UNHCR we are wary of assuming that various insurgent groups will not, once again, when it suits, revert to tactics such as the bombing of market places that maximise civilian casualties and deploy methods suited to achieving that. However, we do think that it can properly be said that in August/early September 2010 the various insurgent groups, AQI included, are weaker organisationally and militarily and that the evidence does not suggest that this will change in the foreseeable future. To that extent we do think it is correct to regard the levels of indiscriminate violence as being not only lower presently but likely not to revert to anything like the levels they reached in 2006/2007. Whilst the US is committed to a responsible “draw-down” it is clear that there continues to be a great deal of US and international involvement in, and support for, the Iraqi government. The main Sunni and Shi’a parties and organisations appear increasingly committed to distributing power through civil rather than military means.”
Targeted violence
Civilian casualties
136. The ICRC briefing dated 8 November 2011 states that:
“The level of violence linked to the conflict is slowly decreasing, but its cost remains high in terms of civilian casualties. Central Iraq and Baghdad especially remain volatile, unpredictable and often dangerous due to acts of violence that still claim the lives of tens of persons every month.
Civilians often die in random attacks designed to spread fear and discord among the general populace. Even in attacks designed to destabilise state services, civilians are often the unfortunate victims.”
Targeting of civilians
Combatant casualties
“members of the Iraqi Police are often particularly targeted: they do not have heavy weapons and equipment and receive less training than the Iraqi Army, and are accordingly reportedly considered the weakest element of the ISP. In 2011, according to Iraqi Government statistics, about 40% of Iraqis killed were ISF members, including 609 Iraqi Police and 458 soldiers”.
Comparison with other conflicts
143. In the body of evidence before us there is some material seeking to compare levels of violence in Iraq with those prevailing in other countries. According to the CSIS study by Cordemann and Khazai, Iraq and the Challenge of Continuing Violence, 6 February 2012, in 2011 there were fewer attacks, fewer deaths and fewer acts of hostage-taking place in Iraq than in Afghanistan although the number of wounded was higher. However the CSIS Report on the Real Outcome of the Iraq War, 8 March 2012, notes that data from the UN National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) show that Iraq had a consistently higher level of violence than Afghanistan during 2009-2011 with no consistent reduction in violence since mid-2009. In AK (Afghanistan) [2012] UKUT 163 (IAC) at [201]-[207]) the Tribunal dealt with the principal findings of the CSIS study in relation to a comparison of the armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and also submissions as to the relative figures for levels of violence in Somalia.
144. In a similar vein, in relation to the comparison between levels of violence in Iraq and Somalia, Mr Fordham (whose submissions we shall summarise in due course) pointed out that according to AMM [2011] UKUT 445 (IAC) in Mogadishu in Somalia, a city of around 2½ million in population, there were 918 deaths in 2010.
Sunnis and Shi’as
“a) Sunnis and Shi’as
While open sectarian violence between Arab Sunnis and Arab Shi’as ended in 2008, armed Sunni groups continue to target Shi’a civilians with the apparent aim of reigniting sectarian tension. Sectarian-motivated violence includes: mass-casualty attacks targeting Shit'ite civilians and pilgrims; threats against Sunnis in Shi’a majority areas and Shi’as in Sunni majority areas; as well as targeted killings of both Sunni and Shi’a clerics and scholars. Baathist ties and/or purported engagement in terrorism are often equated to sectarianism by the Iraqi Government and the ISF. Many individuals accused of Ba'athist ties and/or terrorism and thus perceived to be engaged in sectarianism are of Sunni background.
i. Shi’a civilans, including pilgrims
Shi’a civilians - in particular, Shi’as performing their religious duties at the mosque, during funerals or mournings, or when on pilgrimage - are a key target for Sunni armed groups. The main aim of these attacks appears to be to divide Iraqis along sectarian lines in order to reignite tensions and violence. Attacks are most frequent on religious holidays, when thousands of pilgrims, including from Iran, march to and gather at Shi’a holy sites in Baghdad, Kerbala and Najef, but also in other areas of southern Iraq. Attacks on Shi’a pilgrims and civilians have also taken place in the mixed governorates of Diyala, Ninewa, Salah Al-Din and Kirkuk, where Shi’a Turkmen, Shabak or Kurds (Faili Kurds) may also be targeted, and in the mainly Sunni Al- Anbar Governorate. Shi’a civilians have also frequently been attacked in their homes, in restaurants or other public places in predominantly Shi’a governorates, towns or neighbourhoods.
ii. Sunni Arabs in Majority Shi’a Arab areas and Shi’a Arabs in Majority Sunni Arab Areas
During the period of heightened sectarian violence in 2006 and 2007, the social and demographic make-up of many areas were altered as Sunni and Shi’a armed groups sought to seize control and to cleanse "mixed" areas of the rival sect. This occurred principally in Baghdad, Iraq's most diverse city, but also in the mixed towns and villages surrounding it. During that period, many members of both sects were internally displaced or fled abroad. To date, most of Baghdad's formerly mixed neighbourhoods remain largely homogenized, preventing many from returning to their former areas of residence. In only a few neighbourhoods of Baghdad do members of both sects live side by side. Most returnees have returned to areas under the control of their own community. The recent political crisis, combined with a series of attacks by Sunni armed groups targeting Shi’a neighbourhoods and pilgrims, has deepened sectarian tensions. Anecdotal evidence from UNHCR protection monitoring activities suggests that some Sunnis are leaving mixed and predominantly Shi’a neighbourhoods in Baghdad fearing retaliation. While previously many Iraqi Sunnis fled to Syria and Jordan to escape sectarian violence, reportedly most now seek to relocate within Iraq given tightened visa requirements in these countries and the ongoing violence in Syria.
Both Sunnis and Shi’as living in or returning to areas in which they would constitute a minority may be exposed to targeted violence on account of their religious identity. Both Shi’as in Sunni dominated neighbourhoods and Sunnis in Shi’a-dominated neighbourhoods have reportedly been subjected to threatening letters demanding that they vacate their homes. In cases where individuals do not comply, there are reports of violence or harassment, including killings.”
Kurds
148. At [581] of his report, Dr Fatah notes that the security situation in the KRG is rather different from the rest of Iraq. The KRG is not plagued by daily insurgent attacks and bombings, such as occur in the central and southern governorates, although there are occasional car bombs, kidnappings and insurgent attacks. However, he says, the region is still a tribal society, and thus honour crimes, tribal feuds, and political assassinations are part of daily life in the KRG.
Former Ba’athists
Population displacement
153. Socio-economic conditions for IDPs are dealt with below at [162]-[167].
State weakness and protection issues
“In Iraq, the main perpetrators of persecution are non-state actors. However, protection by national authorities is unlikely to be available in most cases, given that the national authorities have limited capacity to enforce law and order. The ISF, which now have around 930,000 members are widely acknowledged as increasingly capable and united, reportedly remain vulnerable to corruption, and infiltration by militants, and continue to be themselves a major target of attacks. In addition, political disunity has reportedly limited the effectiveness of the ISP” (p.13).
160. Corruption is rife. Transparency International’s 2011 Corruption Index, which measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption, placed Iraq at 175 on a list of 185 countries. The 2012 UNHCR Guidelines note that “[t]he persistent problem of corruption is said to prevent progress with respect to governance, public services and security in Iraq. Efforts to combat corruption are reported hampered, inter alia, by an inadequate legal and institutional framework, weak parliamentary oversight, ongoing attacks against anticorruption officials, as well as government interference and political pressures.” All major reports note that the rule of law in Iraq is lacking, although branches of law enforcement are making progress. The judicial system is highly vulnerable to political pressure. Traditional systems of social and legal protection have been severely compromised by the conflict. The Economist Intelligence Unit paper January 2011 states that in addition to the malady of corruption, the unclear delineation of power between the government in Baghdad and the KRG, the local authorities and the tribally-oriented Awakening Movement “also hinders governance”.
Socio-economic conditions
International assistance
170. In 2011 the US government provided more than 225 million dollars in humanitarian assistance.
Returns packages
171. The IOM set up its IOM-Iraq Mission in April 2003. Since then it has channelled more than $76 million into projects for Iraq. It provides emergency food and non-food items as well as integration assistance and durable solutions. It has established a Programme for Human Security and Stabilisation in Iraq, which aims for the urgent stabilisation of disenfranchised Iraqi families and communities by providing socio-economic reintegration initiatives as alternatives to armed conflict. It has a Regional Operations Centre which, among other things, assists voluntary returns and supports the Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) in developing its institutional framework.
Returns to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP)
Returns and documentation
182. The letter goes on to say that since the introduction of the October 2011 Iraqi returns policy, there have been no cases of any UK enforced returnees being detained who have returned on a valid or expired Iraqi passport and that this has been confirmed by the IOM and Ministry of Interior. To date, it is said, no enforced returnees have returned using a laissez passer travel document as the Iraqi Embassy in London will not currently issue them to enforced returnees. Only voluntary returnees have returned using laissez passer travel documents and the Embassy has received no reports of them being detained on arrival. It is said that there are no detention facilities within the BIAP complex. The only circumstance in which a person would be detained would be if there was a judicial order or warrant for their arrest due to previous criminal activity. It is emphasised in evidence from the MoDM, the MOI, the IOM and Qandil (a Swedish human rights organisation) that there have been no reports of procedures involving ethnic or religious discrimination towards Kurds. Qandil have confirmed that all cases they have managed under the assisted voluntary returns programme have been processed satisfactorily.
Documentation and access to services
Internal travel
“In terms of access, roads between the Kurdistan Region and central Iraq cannot be considered safe. Roads from Erbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah to Kirkuk or Mosul are generally only safe when under the protection of the KRG forces, although attacks on civilians and security forces in areas under their control have also occurred. Roads that are not under the control of Kurdish forces are unpredictable and have reportedly been the site of a high numbers of attacks. There are several official checkpoints between the central part of the country and the KRG-administered area. There are also random checkpoints set up depending on the security situation. Further, the borders of the Kurdistan Region, including between its own governorates, have been observed to close without advance warning due to security concerns. Other areas along the unofficial border have been heavily mined in the past decade and are regularly patrolled by Kurdish Security Forces. Such conditions make it nearly impossible for persons to cross into the three northern governorates through the countryside without danger. Therefore, entry through the major roads and their checkpoints is, practically, the only option available to most Iraqis seeking to enter the Kurdistan Region. In addition, there are regular flights from Baghdad and Basrah to Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, but a one-way ticket from Baghdad to Erbil or Sulaymaniyah costs 101,000 Iraqi Dinars (approximately US$85), an amount many Iraqis are not able to afford. Travelling from Baghdad or Basrah to Erbil or Sulaymaniyah by air is considered fairly safe and there have been no recent security incidents involving civilian aircraft. There have been infrequent indirect fire attacks on or near the Baghdad and Basrah airports, causing no casualties.”
185. As regards travel within central and southern Iraq it is said at p. 53:
“Travel by road within the central and southern governorates remains dangerous, especially at night. Roadside bombings and shootings, robberies, kidnappings and carjackings seem to remain daily occurrences, in addition to attacks on civilian, government and military vehicles on roads and highways in both urban and rural areas throughout the country. Travelling prior to or during religious festivities also involves a heightened risk as armed groups are said to aim at launching mass casualty attacks on Shi’a pilgrims on the road. Military operations among armed groups and the ISF/Sahwa continue mainly in the central governorates. Travelling is reportedly often impaired and delayed by ISF/Sahwa checkpoints and convoys, where there is also an increased risk of being harmed given the frequent targeting of the ISF/Sahwa. False checkpoints have also reportedly been erected to stage attacks. Freedom of movement is also impacted by checks at governorate borders, sometimes reportedly resulting in arrests. Moving near official government or military/police convoys is said to be particularly dangerous as they are a frequent target of armed groups, including by roadside bombs and "sticky bombs" attached under vehicles. There have also been incidents reported of roadside bombs hitting public buses or "sticky bombs" being placed inside buses or taxis or bombings at bus terminals. Movement may further be limited by curfews and vehicle bans, which can be enforced at short notice. Travel by air from Baghdad International Airport is said to have improved. No recent attacks on civilian aircraft have been reported, but there are reports of infrequent indirect fire attacks on or near the Baghdad and Basrah airports. Attacks also occur regularly on the road between Baghdad and Baghdad International Airport.”
Returnees from the west
187. Dr George refers (at [80]-[81] of his report) to a UNHCR Report from 2004 concerning risk of kidnapping to Iraqis who return from Western countries as they are perceived as being financially privileged. He also cites a more recent (July 2009) report of the Danish Immigration Service, the Danish Refugee Council and Landinfo (the Norwegian equivalent of the COIS), which makes essentially the same point. SSI Amman (the United Nations security section) explained that, having lived in Europe for a while people walked, talked and dressed differently. They were perceived to have money and were easy to spot. Also they were considered to be easy targets since they usually enjoy very little support from tribes of the receiving community in general.
Provincial level
Tameem Governorate and Kirkuk
The USDD Report Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq, June 2010 records an average of 1.3 daily executed attacks in Kirkuk.
In the CSIS report of February 9 2011, figures for roadside bombs and car bombs in Kirkuk show a gradual decline from 919 roadside bombs and 69 car bombs in 2007 to 142 and 2 respectively in 2010. There are regular attacks and assassinations, mainly targeted against ISF and government institutions and officials, but also civilians. Kirkuk has recently seen a sharp increase in targeted abductions and killings of professionals
Baghdad Governorate and Baghdad
“Since the height of the violence in 2006-2007, conditions in Baghdad have improved. Nearly a third of those displaced have returned and conflict-related deaths have dropped considerably. Improved security has allowed greater freedom of movement and recreation in daily life. Access to jobs and services remains a challenge.”
Diyala Governorate
Ninewah Governorate and Mosul
Salah Al-Din Governorate
Al Anbar Governorate
Levels of violence in the five central governorates-overall picture
KRG
SUBMISSIONS
The appellants’ case
226. With regard to the question of return to BIAP in 2010, Mr Fordham urged us to find that the mass of evidence provided showed that there had been ill-treatment crossing the Article 3 threshold, in particular in respect of the June 10 and June 16 returns. The degree of concurrence between the various accounts as regards such matters as the number of detainees, the nature of the ill-treatment and the duration of the detention underlined the credibility of the evidence. It was clear that the Secretary of State was not able to investigate the alleged incidents at the police station near the airport. There was no good reason to suppose that the situation would be any different today. The conditions in detention near the airport breached the Article 3 threshold as identified in MSS v Belgium & Greece [2011] 53 EHRR2.
The respondent’s case
237. The Secretary of State’s position is therefore that there is no risk of ill-treatment at BIAP because anybody returned there would be returning on documentation which would enable them to leave the airport without delay (subject to them being a person in respect of whom there was a judicial order or warrant for their arrest), and as such there is no risk on return.
243. Consideration is also given in the written submissions to the authorities from the ECtHR relied on by the appellants. NA v United Kingdom [2009] 48 EHRR 15, which is cited as authority for the proposition that once an individual has adduced evidence capable of demonstrating substantial grounds for believing that there would be a real risk of the prescribed ill-treatment, the burden shifts to the respondent state to dispel any doubts about it, is said not to help the appellants since the only evidence they can point to is from individuals whose accounts are incapable of belief and hence they do not get over the first threshold. Even if they were considered to have passed that threshold, then they would fail at the second threshold for the reasons set out above. With regard to MSS v Belgium [2011] 53 EHRR 2, a contrast is drawn between the evidence that existed of poor conditions for reception of asylum seekers in Greece and the absence of reports on detention of returnees at BIAP. It is argued that the appellants are not assisted by their references to reports from other organisations or detention conditions generally in Iraq, as none of those reports deals specifically with the situation at BIAP and the treatment of the issue by the experts does not take the matter any further. Reference is made also to the argument made by the appellants that conditions of detention “are not disputed”. That, said Mr Staker, was incorrect because the Secretary of State does not accept the evidence concerning the conditions in which returnees on the charter flights were held, for the reasons set out above. The fact that the Secretary of State cannot launch her own independent investigation into the conditions in detention facilities associated with BIAP, since Iraq is a sovereign state, is not the same as accepting allegations made by others in respect of those conditions. It is argued that the evidence produced by the Secretary of State shows that she has in fact gone to considerable lengths to investigate the matter with a number of relevant and reliable interlocutors in Iraq, and it is asserted that the allegations are not credible.
Submissions on internal relocation
245. On the first day of the hearing we said we saw no reason to depart from the findings of the Tribunal in its recent decision in MK (Documents – relocation) Iraq CG [2012] UKUT 00126 (IAC), though of course we did not rule out fresh evidence about such matters being adduced which had not been considered in MK. In MK the Tribunal concluded that it is wrong to say that there is, in general, no internal flight alternative in Iraq, bearing in mind in particular the levels of governmental and NGO support available. In full its country guidance conclusions were as follows:
“General Conclusions
88(1) Since the lack of documentation relating to identity in the form of the Civil Status ID (CSID), Iraqi Nationality Certificate (INC) and public Distribution System (PDS) card (food ration card) is not ordinarily an insuperable problem, it is not a factor likely to make return to any part of Iraq unsafe or unreasonable.
(a) The CSID is an important document, both in its own right and as a gateway to obtaining other significant documents such as the INC and the PDS. An inability to replace the CSID is likely to entail inability to access the INC and PDS.
(b) Although the general position is that a person who wishes to replace a lost CSID is required to return to their home area in order to do so, there are procedures as described in this determination available which make it possible (i) for Iraqis abroad to secure the issue of a new CSID to them through the offices of the local Iraqi Embassy; (ii) for Iraqis returned to Iraq without a CSID to obtain one without necessarily having to travel to their home area. Such procedures permit family members to obtain such documentation from their home areas on an applicant’s behalf or allow for a person to be given power of attorney to obtain the same. Those who are unable immediately to establish their identity can ordinarily obtain such documentation by being presented before a judge from the Civil Status Court, so as to facilitate return to their place of origin.
(2) relocation to the KRG is in general reasonable.
(a) Entry into and residence in the KRG can be effected by any Iraqi national with a CSID, INC and PDS, after registration with the Asayish (local security office). An Arab may need a sponsor; a Kurd will not.
(b) Living conditions in the KRG for a person who has relocated there are not without difficulties, but there are jobs, and there is access to free health care facilities, education, rented accommodation and financial and other support from UNCHR.
(3) Despite bureaucratic difficulties with registration and the difficulties faced by IDPs, it is wrong to say that there is, in general, no internal alternative in Iraq, bearing in mind in particular the levels of governmental and NGO support available.
(4) Whilst the situation for women in Iraq is, in general, not such as to give rise to a real risk of persecution or serious harm, there may be particular problems affecting female headed households where family support is lacking, and jobs and other means of support may be harder to come by. Careful examination of the particular circumstances of the individual’s case will be especially important.”
OUR ASSESSMENT
Confinement to the Article 15(c) issue
259. The burden of proof in these appeals rests on the appellants, albeit the standard of proof is relatively low and the seriousness of the issues at stake requires us to apply anxious scrutiny. In deciding this case we have to have regard to the entirety of the evidence. This being a CG case we have set out the enormous amount of evidence with which we have been presented in Appendix A.
“154. That is so for two main reasons. First of all, decision-makers are obliged by the structure of the Qualification Directive to give primacy to the issue of eligibility for refugee protection; whereas Articles 15(b) and (c) are species of “subsidiary” protection: see recitals 3, 5. Second, to skip over refugee eligibility would be to lend support to the misconception that persons fleeing armed conflict cannot fall within the Article 1A(2) Refugee Convention definition. That has never been so, even if there has been recurrent hesitation about the criteria that should apply to such cases: see AM & AM (armed conflict: risk categories) Somalia CG [2008] UKAIT 00091, paras 17, 68.
155. In relation to why Article 3 ECHR should be dealt with last, the reason is simple. By virtue of Article 15(b) of the Qualification Directive, a person who can establish an Article 3 risk, will (save in one limited respect relating to heath cases) be able to show he is entitled to subsidiary (humanitarian protection) under 15(b). By contrast with Article 3 ECHR, subsidiary protection (humanitarian protection), including under Article 15(b), entitles the beneficiary to a legal status both at the level of EU law (Article 24(2) of the Qualification Directive) and in UK law (para 339C of the Immigration Rules).
156. As regards whether or not to deal with Article 15(b) or 15(c) first, it might seem that because the Court of Justice in Elgafaji has held that Article 15(c) has an additional scope to Article 3 ECHR that it would always be easier to address Article 15(c) first as having broader scope. But establishing subsidiary protection eligibility under Article 15(b) may sometimes be more straightforward than seeking to do so under Article 15(c). This may arise where, for example, the claimant falls within a risk category but cannot show a Refugee Convention ground (e.g. where he is at real risk of persecution/serious harm at the hands of a powerful criminal gang). It may also arise where there is a recent ECHR case that establishes comprehensively that there is an exceptionally high level of generalised violence in the claimant’s country that amounts to a violation of Article 3 ECHR (see NA v UK Application no. 25904/07, paras 115-116; Sufi and Elmi v UK Applications nos. 8319/07 and 11449/07, paras 218, 250) and there is no valid reason to take a different view. Another problem is that whilst it is now established that Article 15(c) has an additional scope to Article 3 ECHR (a near equivalent to Article 15(b) of the Qualification Directive), the ascertainment of that additional scope may not always be a simple matter.”
The expert evidence
Initial observations
Comparison with other conflicts
“258. Although we would agree that in principle it should be possible to achieve objective indicators of violence that can be applied in a comparative fashion across different countries, we have some doubts that current studies/surveys have yet resolved problems of different methodologies. Figures in any event only furnish a part of the overall evidence needed to assess Article 15(c) risk. So at best we would regard this particular comparison (which of course is only valid if at all in relation to the levels of violence in Afghanistan at the time GS was heard, not now) as a very rough guide and not one to which we should attach any significant weight).”
The inclusive approach
270. In HM1 at [75]-[84] the Tribunal explained the need to adopt an inclusive approach.
The inclusive approach: other metrics
The UNHCR Guidelines
277. Mr Fordham sought to persuade us that we should indeed accord a more primary status to UNHCR Guidelines so as to reflect its status and mandate, its detailed assessment and rigorous standards of due diligence such that it is not appropriate to depart, “save for a cogent and identified reason”, from UNHCR’s guidelines. We recognise that, as highlighted by Sir Stephen Sedley in EM (Eritrea) & Ors v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2012] EWCA Civ 1336 at [41] that UNHCR, “is today the holder of an internationally respected office with an expert staff (numbering 7,190 in 120 different states, according to its website), able to assemble and monitor information from year to year and to apply to it standards of knowledge and judgment which are ordinarily beyond the reach of a court. In doing this, and in reaching his conclusions, [the UNHCR] has the authority of the General Assembly of the United Nations, by whom he is appointed and to whom he reports”. We also recognise that in Iraq UNHCR’s sources include IDPs and returnees who have made contact with UNHCR in the context of its monitoring operations as well as other agencies and persons in Iraq. However, we are unable to accept Mr Fordham’s proposition, not out of lack of respect for UNHCR’s considered views on country conditions or its immensely thorough and heavily footnoted 2012 Guidelines, but out of concern to ensure we discharge our duty to decide cases on the basis of the evidence and arguments presented to us; bearing in mind that in this, as well as most country guidance cases, we have a very comprehensive body of background evidence together with expert reports and detailed submissions to put alongside the UNHCR materials. We would be very surprised if indeed UNHCR took a different view of what should be our function, but in any event, as Mr Staker pointed out, Mr Fordham’s submission on this matter is also contrary to authority: see Mhute v SSHD [2003] EWCA Civ 1029 and R (Golfa) v SSHD [2005] EWHC 2282 (Admin).
“Although the Court is aware that the UNHCR, the UN and the IOM recommend that countries refrain from forcibly returning refugees to Iraq, they have stated that they are committed to providing assistance to those who return. Moreover, the Court observes that their recommendations are partly based on the security situation and partly due to practical problems for returnees such as shelter, health care and property restitution.”
The court went on to find that there was no generalised Article 3 risk in Iraq.
283. In relation to these submissions we have four responses.
Patterns of violence and trends
The situation province-by-province
294. We have set out above the evidence concerning the five central governorates. That evidence does not, in our view, identify a level of violence in any of the governorates such as to cross the Article 15(c) threshold. Civilian casualties are not the only indice of relevance, but as a percentage of the respective populations of Baghdad and Kirkuk (see above [215]-[219]) we do not find the 2011 figures supplied by IAU of some 1,338 deaths in Baghdad and some 280 deaths in Kirkuk as indicative of the level of intensity of indiscriminate violence envisaged by the CJEU as being sufficiently high to engage Article 15(c) in relation to mere civilians.
We bear in mind Mr Fordham’s contention that the fact that the ECtHR in recent cases (see above [ 80] to [83]) has not found the level of violence in Iraq as a whole or Kirkuk to reach the Article 3 threshold is not conclusive as to the issue of risk of serious harm under Article 15(c) of the Qualification Directive. We agree with him that the latter has an additional scope: see Elgafaji [36] and AMM [334]. However, our findings as regards the Article 15(c) situation in Iraq as a whole and in the 5 central governorates have been made on their own terms.
Enhanced risk categories
Sunni/Shi’a
297. There is evidence indicating that as well as targeting ISF and GoI employees, Sunni extremists have targeted Shi’as. This is noted e.g. in the FCO letter dated 7 April, 2012 and in the 2012 UNHCR Guidelines but such incidents have not risen to the extent that they demonstrate a real risk of serious harm to Shi’as in general. We observe that although the May 2012 UNHCR Guidelines emphasise the harm caused by the ethno-sectarian conflict between different communities, especially that between Sunni and Shi’a, they do not state there is a need for international refugee protection purely because a person is a Sunni or Shi’a and we do not consider that the evidence shows that there is a real risk of Article 15(c) harm arising solely because a person is a Sunni or Shi’a civilian. And even where concern is expressed about both Sunnis and Shi’as living in or returning to areas in which they would constitute a minority, the substance of what UNHCR is saying is not that Sunni Arabs living in majority Shi’a areas and Shi’a Arabs living in majority Sunni Arab areas “will” be at Article 15(c) risk but simply that “they may be exposed to targeted violence on account of their religious identity”. In our judgement the other evidence relating to Sunnis and Shi’as reveals a similar picture. However, whilst for the above reasons we find the evidence as a whole insufficient to establish Sunni or Shi’a identity as in itself an “enhanced risk category” under Article 15(c), we do accept that depending on the individual circumstances, and in particular on their facing return to an area where their Sunni or Shi’a brethren are in a minority, a person may be able to establish a real risk of Article 15(c). (They may, of course, also be able to establish a real risk of persecution under the Refugee Convention or of treatment contrary to Article 3 of the ECHR).
Kurds
Former Ba’athists
State protection
302. With reference to the evidence relating to the extent of state failure (one of the further “metrics” for assessing the level of indiscriminate violence) , it is clear that there are significant shortcomings in the ability and sometimes the willingness of the authorities in central and southern Iraq to protect their population. Iraq remains second in global indexes of failed states. At the same time, like the Tribunal in HM1 at [211], we would observe that, this “metric” must be considered in the context of the existing levels of physical violence and the related threats they pose to the civilian population. The protection concerned is principally about that which a state is able to afford its citizens in a time of war and emergency; it is not principally about whether, for example, there is a criminal justice system ensuring punishment of offenders. In this context we observe that in terms of the basic task of the Iraqi state in providing security, the evidence indicates that the ISF is widely acknowledged as increasingly capable and united notwithstanding problems of corruption and infiltration by militants and political disunity. Bearing in mind that there is still a state of armed conflict in Iraq and that the situation is not one in which the state is required by international human rights law to guarantee all human rights (derogable as well as non-derogable), we consider that despite serious shortcomings the state authorities have been able to keep the level of indiscriminate violence significantly below what it was in 2006 and 2007. So far as concerns the significance of this “metric” in the context of Iraq, we note that it is not one upon which the appellants sought to rely to any significant extent.
Socio-economic conditions
Returnees from the west
306. In his written report at [155-6], Dr George referred to a 9 June 2004 Report by the UN High Commission for Human Rights and a July 2009 Report by the Danish Immigration Service, stating that Iraqis who return from western countries may well be exposed to dangers in relation to kidnapping because they are perceived as being financially privileged ([232]). Dr Fatah did not identify such Iraqis as being generally at risk but considered that time spent in the west could make the three appellants a target of extremist groups ([338]). We bear in mind that both experts accepted that their references to such persons being at risk did not necessarily mean anything more than possible risk. We are confident that if there was any significant occurrence of harm to such persons it would have come to the attention of relevant NGOs who would have been able to document it, whereas there are virtually no documented cases. In our judgement the evidence on risk to returnees from the West really does no more than establish a possible or remote risk. It does not establish a real risk or a reasonable degree of likelihood that returnees will face serious harm or ill treatment
Position in Europe
Documentation relating to returns
Risk on return at BIAP
315. In relation to the June charter flights we now have significantly more detailed evidence than was available to the panel in HM1. This helps us in a number of ways. First it makes very clear that although BIAP itself does not have a detention facility, there is a police station some few kilometres away which BIAP officials have used in the past in order to undertake further inquiries of certain categories of returnees and is widely referred to in background evidence as the “BIAP police station”. Second, it also makes clear that a significant number of returnees on the 9 and 16 June 2010 charter flights were kept in this detention facility. Third, there is a dearth of independent evidence as to the precise conditions at this detention facility. Neither party as we understand it disputes these three points.
317. We accept therefore that up to a dozen or so people from the 9 June flight were detained for some 7 days in a room of some 4 metres x 4 metres and fed once daily and had to sleep on the floor. As regards the June 16 flight, 30 or so people appear to have been detained for some 10-11 days in one room, and had to pay for food and water. There is a conflict in the evidence as to whether they were ill-treated by Iraqi officials (cf the evidence of RM and SA to Dr Fatah) but agreement that those detained had to sleep on the floor and that there were inadequate toilet and washing facilities.
318. Taking stock of this evidence we note first of all (and again) that it is considerably more than was before the Tribunal in HM1. Nevertheless, we bear in mind: (i) that we have not seen any response from the Iraqi authorities to such allegations; (ii) the country guidance issue we have to decide are concerned with the current position, not the 2010 position; and (iii) that we are being asked to consider conditions in detention without either party having assisted us in detail with the numerous Strasbourg cases dealing with detention conditions: see e.g. Babar Ahmad and Others v UK, App.no. 24027/07 [2012] ECHR 609, paras 166-179. Given these considerations, we are cautious of attempting any definitive findings. In relation to the main case on which Mr Fordham seeks to rely, MSS v Belgium and Greece [2011] 53 EHRR 2 and the cases it cites at [222], they only deal with the detention of asylum seekers by European states, not detention on return to the country of origin. In MSS there were a number of detainees who had to sleep on the floor; there was no access to the water fountain outside, and detainees were obliged to drink water from the toilet; in the sector for arrested persons there were 195 detainees in a 110 sq.metre space; in a number of cells there was only one bed for 14-17 people; there was a lack of sufficient ventilation; the cells were unbearably hot and access to the toilets was severely restricted; there was no soap or toilet paper and sanitary and other facilities were dirty. The Court attached some significance to the fact that the applicants were asylum seekers and hence particularly vulnerable. There were also complaints that the detainees were subjected to insults, including racist insults and of the use of violence by guards.
320. As regards the 6 September 2010 flight, there are detailed witness statements from two persons both of whom describe ill-treatment in unpleasant conditions on return for a number of days. Again, in view of its close resemblance to the conditions described by those detained in June 2010, we consider the evidence about them also points to the possibility that the Iraqi authorities may also have breached their Article 3 rights.
321. As to whether the procedures now in place are significantly different, we do not have full evidence and what we have is not all one way. In his supplementary report of 26 March 2012 Dr George’s contact stated that in respect of one year ago general conditions in the detention facilities were very poor. In a 3 November 2011 memorandum UNHCR states that persons who enter BIAP “will be held at the BIAP police station until their identity is established.” The same UNHCR memorandum states that “UNHCR and implementing police staff have been monitoring the arrival of deportee flights at BIAP since early 2010. This has greatly enhanced the agencies’ ability to monitor and interview deportees, enabling the provision of legal advice, assistance and referrals”. UNHCR adds that deportees reported that checking procedures could sometimes continue overnight and that facilities were not adequate.
325. But all this is, and is likely to continue to be, academic since, in light of the evidence from the respondent relating to new procedures in force since October 2011 regarding minimum acceptable documents – there is no real risk (except possibly in respect of those who are the subject of a judicial order or arrest warrant) that an Iraqi national who has failed to show he is in need of international protection and who faces compulsory return would face detention either at the police station used by BIAP or anywhere else, since in effect they would have been pre-cleared and/or because they are in possession of a current or expired Iraqi passport or (if a voluntary returnee) a laissez passer document and so would be allowed to proceed from the airport without any detention. Of course, it is implicit in the Secretary of State’s position that for so long as Iraqi asylum seekers who have failed in their international protection claims lack relevant documentation they will not be the subject of any attempts to enforce their removal; but we remind ourselves that such a scenario does not make their removal contrary to either the Refugee Convention or the Human Rights Convention: see e.g. MS (Palestinian Territories) [2009] EWCA Civ 17, [30]; CG (suspension of removal-lawfulness-proportionality) Zimbabwe [2010] UKUT 272, SC (Article 8 – in accordance with the law) Zimbabwe [2012] 00056 (IAC). Whilst our Article 3 ECHR assessment must consider the consequences of removal on a hypothetical basis, that must have regard to the realities of the procedures relating to documentation.
Returns to Erbil
Safety of internal travel
Documentation and access to services
The future situation
Internal Relocation
332. We remind ourselves that in order for there to be a viable place of internal relocation decision-makers are required to be satisfied that it is both safe (i.e., in the context of Article 15 of the Qualification Directive, that there is no continuing real risk of serious harm) and reasonable in all the circumstances: see Article 8 of the same Directive. We also remind ourselves that in its May 2012 Eligibility Guidelines UNHCR at p.52 summarised its position in its Introduction (see above [60]) as being that it “considers that internal flight options are often not available in Iraq due to serious risks faced by Iraqis throughout the country, including threats to safety and security, accessibility problems and lack of livelihood opportunities.”
MK and internal relocation within the KRG
“87. We bear in mind Dr Fatah’s warning, set out at paragraph 77 above, concerning the difficulty of a broad approach to the issue of relocation to/within the GoI governorates. We note the bureaucratic nature of the registration processes which, as Mr Hussain points out in paragraph 58 of his closing submissions, seem increasingly aligned with those in the KRG. The very significant numbers of IDPs (estimated by the IDMC in March 2010 at 2.8 million) face the kind of difficulties we have set out above, and it may be (IDM May 2009) that IDPs are not being registered in all governorates. However, the types of difficulty we have identified are not such, in our view, as either to entail that there is no internal flight alternative in Iraq, or that relocation is, in general, unreasonable. The levels of support that we have identified, from the UNHCR and the Iraqi government in particular, including the fact that two-thirds of IDPs appear to have PDS cards valid in their governorate of residence, support us in this view. Where an IDP is unregistered, and hence is unlikely to have a PDS card, and is unable to access family, governmental or NGO support, it may be that relocation would be unreasonable, in particular, of course, if they faced a real risk of significant harm in their home area and could not therefore be expected to return there to renew their PDS card. The particular circumstances of a returnee may therefore be such as to make relocation unreasonable.”
We would next remind ourselves of the Tribunal’s country guidance at [88] (reproduced word for word in the headnote) which we have already set out above at [245].
339. At [1.02] of the Danish/UKBA report, the director of an international NGO in Erbil is quoted as saying that all Arabs, irrespective of ethnic origin or religious orientation, are free to enter the KRG through the external checkpoints by presenting their Iraqi civil ID card, and said that there were thousands of persons of Arab origin living in the KRG, many living with their families, whilst others had come there to work, including individuals. At [1.08] of the report, the Director of the Bureau of Migration and Displacement (BMD) of the Ministry of the Interior of Erbil, explained that at present there were approximately 40,000 IDP families from southern and central Iraq and the disputed areas residing in all three of the northern governorates. The Director went on, as recorded at [1.09], to remark that the economic impact of the influx of IDPs on the KRG had been significant and that this indicated that many IDPs were wealthy. He referred also to the fact that there were middle class people, skilled workers and labourers looking for unskilled jobs in the KRG. The Head of Private Bureau of General Security (Asayish) said that people displaced by violence, i.e. IDPs, continued to enter the KRG and mentioned that, for example, recently 80 people from central Iraq and Mosul had come to the KRG for protection. According to figures from the IOM publication “Review of displacement and return in Iraq” dated February 2011, as recorded at [1.13] of the report, in Erbil governorate 29.47% of the IDP population was of Arab ethnicity. In Sulaymaniyah 70.80% of the IDP population was of Arab ethnicity but in Dahuk only 3.90%.
346. We have set out at [244] the relevant views of the UNHCR in its 2012 Guidelines.
Relocation to central and southern Iraq
355. We turn finally in this context to the issue of documentation.
Conclusions: General
359. We should first make clear our position as regards the substance of the guidance given in HM1. As we made clear, we are to approach those appeals by considering all the material now available, since we are two years on, and reaching a conclusion based on all material. We have had the advantage of hearing the experts and having their views tested in cross-examination and the benefit of detailed submissions from counsel on both sides. To an extent we have now had time and opportunity to consider whether what was a “pre-election forecast” has proved to be appropriate. The Tribunal in HM1 considered all the material before it. Mr Fordham in the Court of Appeal was in the end only able to show a failure to consider 3 reports and one which had only came into existence less than a month before the determination was promulgated. It follows that essentially all relevant material was considered, but in the absence of the experts’ views and submissions on behalf of the appellants. Although our focus in this decision is on the situation in Iraq now, we are satisfied that in HM1 the Tribunal reached country guidance conclusions which were correct.
360. So far as concerns the situation now our guidance is as follows:
A.
Law
a) The guidance as to the law relating to Article 15(c) of the Refugee Qualification Directive 2004/83/EC given by the Tribunal in HM and Others (Article 15(c)) Iraq CG [2010] UKUT 331 (IAC) (“HM1”) at [62]-[78] is reaffirmed. Of particular importance is the observation in HM1 that decision-makers ensure that following Elgafaji, Case C-465/07 BAILI; [2009] EUECJ Case C-465/07 and QD (Iraq) [2009] EWCA Civ 620, in situations of armed conflict in which civilians are affected by the fighting, the approach to assessment of the level of risk of indiscriminate violence must be an inclusive one, subject only to the need for there to be a sufficient causal nexus between the violence and the conflict.
b) Given that country guidance cases may have an impact on a large number of asylum cases and appeals, their significance in saving costs in future cases, quite apart from their general importance, should require consideration of the grant of legal aid for representation in the public interest.
c) Whilst the Upper Tribunal will do all it can to ensure representation in a country guidance case, it cannot be excluded that in highly unusual circumstances such a case would proceed without claimant representation.
d) Though very considerable weight is almost always to be attached to UNHCR guidelines on risk categories in particular countries, it is not accepted that departure from the guidelines should only take place for a cogent and identified reason. Cases are to be decided on the basis of all the evidence and arguments presented to the Tribunal.
B. Country guidance
i. Whilst the focus of the present decision is the current situation in Iraq, nothing in the further evidence now available indicates that the conclusions that the Tribunal in HM1 reached about country conditions in Iraq were wrong.
ii. As regards the current situation, the evidence does not establish that the degree of indiscriminate violence characterising the current armed conflict taking place in the five central governorates in Iraq, namely Baghdad, Diyala, Tameen (Kirkuk), Ninewah, Salah Al-Din, is at such a high level that substantial grounds have been shown for believing that any civilian returned there would solely on account of his presence there face a real risk of being subject to that threat.
iii. Nor does the evidence establish that there is a real risk of serious harm under Article 15(c) for civilians who are Sunni or Shi’a or Kurds or have former Ba’ath Party connections: these characteristics do not in themselves amount to “enhanced risk categories” under Article 15(c)’s “sliding scale” (see [39] of Elgafaji).
iv. Further evidence that has become available since the Tribunal heard MK (documents - relocation) Iraq CG [2012] UKUT 126 (IAC) does not warrant any departure from its conclusions on internal relocation alternatives in the KRG or in central or southern Iraq save that the evidence is now sufficient to establish the existence of a Central Archive maintained by the Iraqi authorities retaining civil identity records on microfiche, which provides a further way in which a person can identify themselves and obtain a copy of their CSID, whether from abroad or within Iraq.
v. Regarding the issue of whether there would be a risk of treatment contrary to Article 3 ECHR arising from returns from the UK to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP):
a). If a national of Iraq who has failed to establish that conditions inside Iraq are unsafe is compulsorily returned to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) on either a current or expired Iraqi passport, there is no real risk of detention in the course of BIAP procedures (except possibly in respect of those who are the subject of a judicial order or arrest warrant). Nor is there such a risk if such a person chooses to make a voluntary return with a laissez passer document which can be issued by the Iraqi embassy in the UK.
b). If, however, such a person is compulsorily returned to BIAP without either a current or expired Iraqi passport, he may be at risk of detention in the course of BIAP procedures and it cannot be excluded that the detention conditions might give rise to a real risk of treatment contrary to Article 3 ECHR. Such a risk is however, purely academic in the UK context because under the current UK returns policy there will be no compulsory return of persons lacking such documents.
THE APPELLANTS’ CASES
HM and RM
362. As to what would happen to HM and RM at BIAP, we observe that the Secretary of State has made clear that under her current returns policy there will be no enforced returns of undocumented persons. Enforced returns are confined to those who have a current or expired Iraqi passport. Currently, therefore, HM and RM do not stand to be returned. In the meantime, of course, it is open to the appellants, if they choose, to make a voluntary return with a laissez passer document which can be issued by the Iraqi embassy in the UK. Were they to do that, then, again there would be no real risk of detention because the evidence is clear that such persons are not detained on arrival.
HF
366. For the above reasons we conclude:
That the decision of the immigration judge in the case of HM and in the case of RM was wrong in law and have been set aside. The decision we re-make is to dismiss their appeals;
That the decision of the immigration judge in the case of HF was wrong in law and has been set aside. The decision we re-make is to dismiss his appeal.
Signed
Mr Justice Collins
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE BEFORE THE UPPER TRIBUNAL
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UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Guidelines on International protection: "Internal Flight or relocation alternative" within the context of Article 1A (2) of the 1951 Convention and/or 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees |
23.07.2003 |
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UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR Annotated Comments on the EC Council Directive |
29.04.2004 |
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Hansard: Removals and voluntary departures, by type, nationals of Iraq to Iraq, January 2004 to June 2011 |
14.07.2005 |
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10.2005 |
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The New York Times: To stay alive, Iraqis Change Their Names |
05.09.2006 |
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Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index: Methodology, Results and Findings 2007 |
2007 |
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International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Stories of Return |
2007 |
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UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Strategy for the Iraq Situation |
01.01.2007 |
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UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR issues latest Iraq advisory |
09.01.2007 |
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Brookings, Iraq Index: Tracking Variables of Reconstruction & Security in Post-Saddam Iraq |
29.01.2007 |
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02.02.2007 |
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04.2007 |
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12.02.2007 |
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US Department of State, Iraq Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor 2006, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2006: Iraq |
06.03.2007 |
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United Nations (UN), The Report of the Secretary General on Iraq pursuant to para graph 30 of resolution 1546 (2004) |
07.03.2007 |
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Human Rights Watch (HRW), Iraq: US Data on Civilian Casualties Raises Serious Concerns |
12.04.2007 |
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)Humanitarian Needs of Populations Displaced From Iraq |
18.04.2007 |
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International Crisis Group (ICG), Iraq and the Kurds: Resolving the Kirkuk Crisis |
19.04.2007 |
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UN Assistance Mission for Iraqi (UNAMI), Human Rights Report: 1 January - 31 March 2007 |
25.04.2007 |
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UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Iraq COI Report April 2007 |
30.04.2007 |
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United Nations (UN), Humanitarian Briefing on the Crisis in Iraq |
02.05.2007 |
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United Nations (UN), The Report of the Secretary General on Iraq pursuant to paragraph 30 of resolution 1546 (2004) |
05.06.2007 |
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UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iraq: Situation continues to worsen, local governorates overwhelmed |
05.06.2007 |
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Freedom House Freedom in the World 2007: Iraq |
26.06.2007 |
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Carnegie Endowment, Iraq Four Years after the U.S.-Led Invasion: Assessing the Crisis and Searching for a Way Forward |
07.2007 |
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Human Rights Watch (HRW), Caught in the Whirlwind: Torture and Denial of Due Process by the Kurdistan Security Forces |
02.07.2007 |
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US Department of State, International Religious Freedom Report 2007: Iraq |
09.2007 |
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UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Governorate Assessment Report Erbil Governorate |
01.09.2007 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Governorate Assessment Report Sulaymaniyah Governorate |
01.09.2007 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Governorate Assessment Report Dahuk Governorate |
01.09.2007 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-Seekers |
05.09.2007 |
|
United Nations (UN), The Report of the Secretary General on Iraq - Report of the Secretary General pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1770 (2007) |
15.10.2007 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iraq: Ability of IDPs to Transfer PDS cards by governorate |
11.2007 |
|
United Nations (UN), Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq: Facts and Figures |
13.11.2007 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR says time not right for large-scale Iraq repatriation |
23.11.2007 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Addendum to UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-Seekers |
17.12.2007 |
|
Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index: Methodology, Results and Findings 2008 |
2008 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Civilian deaths from violence in 2007 |
01.01.2008 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Iraq COI Report January 2008 |
08.01.2008 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), The Patterns in Violence and Casualties in Iraq 2007: The Need for Strategic Patience |
08.01.2008 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM): Iraq Displacement 2007 – Year in Review |
10.01.2008 |
|
United Nations (UN), The Report of the Secretary General on Iraq pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1770 (2007) |
14.01.2008 |
|
Brookings, Iraq Index: Tracking Variables of Reconstruction & Security in Post-Saddam Iraq |
28.01.2008 |
|
IRIN: Iraq: More relief aid needed in Mosul after blast |
28.01.2008 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW)World Report 2008: Iraq |
31.01.2008 |
|
The Independent: Sunni vs Shia: The real bloody Baghdad |
05.02.2008 |
|
BBC News: Assault looms in Iraq’s ‘worst place’ |
07.02.2008 |
|
International Crisis Group (ICG)Civil War, The Sadrists and the Surge |
07.02.2008 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Violence in Iraq: Reaching an 'Irreducible Minimum' |
25.02.2008 |
|
Iraq Updates: Civilian wounded in explosion in Kirkuk |
25.02.2008 |
|
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression: Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received (Iraq excerpt) |
25.02.2008 |
|
Iraq Updates: Police chief escapes attempt on his life |
28.02.2008 |
|
Iraq Updates: Unknown gunmen kidnap two workers, trucker in Kirkuk |
28.02.2008 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Iraq: No Let Up in the Humanitarian Crisis |
03.2008 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Crossing the desert – the ICRC in Iraq: analysis of a humanitarian operation |
03.2008 |
|
Iraq Updates: Parliament rapporteur blames army for Kirkuk attack |
01.03.2008 |
|
Iraq Updates: Kirkuk attack casualties up to fourteen |
01.03.2008 |
|
US Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2007: Iraq |
11.03.2008 |
|
UN Assistance Mission for Iraqi (UNAMI), Human Rights Report: 1 July – 31 December 2007 |
15.03.2008 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM): Emergency Needs Assessments: Post-February 2006 displacement in Iraq, bi-weekly report |
15.03.2008 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Iraq: Five years on, more people displaced than ever before |
18.03.2008 |
|
International Rescue Committee (IRC), 5 Years Later, a hidden crisis |
20.03.2008 |
|
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Human Rights Annual Report 2007: Iraq |
25.03.2008 |
|
US Department of State (USSD), US Department of State, Excerpt from "Country Reports on Terrorism" 2007 |
04.2008 |
|
University of New South Wales, The Standard of Proof in Complementary Protection Cases: Comparative Approaches in North America and Europe |
01.05.2008 |
|
Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board, Responses to Information Requests |
02.05.2008 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Iraq COI Report May 2008 |
15.05.2008 |
|
Amnesty International, Iraq: Amnesty International Report 2008 |
28.05.2008 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Iraq displacement & return 2008 Mid-year review |
6.2008 |
|
Amnesty International, Rhetoric and reality: the Iraqi refugee crisis |
15.06.2008 |
|
Brookings, Ministry of Displacement (MoDM) and Migration, National Policy on Displacement |
07.2008 |
|
Freedom House Freedom in the World 2008: Iraq |
02.07.2008 |
|
United Nations (UN), The Report of the Secretary General on Iraq pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1770 (2007) |
28.07.2008 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Monitoring and Needs Assessments, Assessments of Iraq Returns |
08.2008 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Displacement Monitoring and Needs Assessments, Tent Camp Assessment Report |
08.2008 |
|
Brookings, The Looming Crisis: Displacement and Security in Iraq |
05.08.2008 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Iraq COI Report August 2008 |
15.08.2008 |
|
US Department of State, International Religious Freedom Report 2008: Iraq |
19.09.2008 |
|
European Legal Network on Asylum (ECRE and ELENA), The Impact of the EU Directive on International Protection |
01.10.2008 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Operational Guidance Note v4: Iraq |
29.10.2008 |
|
Council on Foreign Relations, Ansar Al-Islam (Iraq, Islamists/Kurdish Separatists), Ansar Al-Sunnah |
05.11.2008 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM): Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salah Al-Din Governorate Profiles Post-2006 IDP Needs Assessments December 2008 |
12.2008 |
|
UN Assistance Mission for Iraqi (UNAMI), Human Rights Report: 1 January - 30 June 2008 |
02.12.2008 |
|
Wikileaks: Abu Ghraib, A New Day |
17.12.2008 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Post-surge violence: its extent and nature |
28.12.2008 |
|
Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index: Methodology, Results and Findings 2009 |
2009 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR Statement on Subsidiary Protection under the EC Qualification Directive for People Threatened by Indiscriminate Violence |
01.2009 |
88. |
Integrated Regional News Service (IRIN), Iraqis want free food programme to continue, finds survey |
04.01.2009 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Iraq COI Report January 2009 |
12.01.2009 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW)World Report 2009: Iraq |
14.01.2009 |
|
Brookings, Iraq Index: Tracking Variables of Reconstruction & Security in Post-Saddam Iraq |
30.01.2009 |
|
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief: Summary of cases transmitted to governments and replies received (Iraq excerpt) |
16.02.2009 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Emergency Needs Assessments, Three Years of Post-Samarra displacement in Iraq |
22.02.2009 |
|
US Department of State, 2008 Human Rights Report: Iraq |
25.02.2009 |
|
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Humanitarian Update |
03.2009 |
|
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders: Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received (Iraq excerpt) |
04.03.2009 |
|
Amnesty International, Challenging Repression: Human Rights Defenders in the Middle East and North Africa |
11.03.2009 |
|
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Annual Report on Human Rights 2008 – Iraq |
26.03.2009 |
|
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Humanitarian Update |
04.2009 |
|
Amnesty International, Hope and Fear: Human Rights in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq |
14.04.2009 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-Seekers |
27.04.2009 |
|
UN Assistance Mission for Iraqi (UNAMI), Human Rights Report 1 July – 31 December 2008 |
29.04.2009 |
|
US Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2008: Iraq |
30.04.2009 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Iraq: Trends in Violence and Civilian Casualties: 2005-2009 |
05.05.2009 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR revises guidelines for Iraqi asylum claims |
05.05.2009 |
|
Jane's Sentinel, Country Risk Assessment: “Infrastructure Iraq” |
22.05.2009 |
|
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression: Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received (Iraq excerpt) |
27.05.2009 |
|
Amnesty International, Iraq: Human Rights in Republic of Iraq: Amnesty International Report 2009 |
28.05.2009 |
|
UNDP, Overview of landmines and explosive remnants of war in Iraq |
06.2009 |
|
Brookings, Internal Displacement in Iraq: The Process of Working Toward Durable Solutions |
01.06.2009 |
111. 1 |
Journal of Humanitarian Assistance, Counting excess civilian casualties of the Iraq War: Science or Politics? |
22.06.2009 |
|
Danish Immigration Service, Security and Human Rights Issues in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), and South/Central Iraq (S/C Iraq) |
07.2009 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Iraq COI Report July 2009 |
10.07.2009 |
|
Freedom House Freedom in the World 2009: Iraq |
16.07.2009 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Civilians without protection |
08.2009 |
|
Inter Agency Information & Analysis Unit (IAU Iraq), The Humanitarian Situation in Iraq: Inter-Agency Factsheet |
08.2009 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross: Iraq: ongoing conflict claims hundreds of civilian lives every month |
13.08.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Baghdad Blasts Kill 95 |
19.08.2009 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW), Iraq: Halt All Attacks on Civilians |
23.08.2009 |
|
Voice of America New: Southern Iraq Blasts Kill 11 |
24.08.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Explosions in Northern Iraq Claim More Lives |
29.08.2009 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Casework Instructions - Humanitarian Protecton Article 15 (c) |
09.2010 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW), UPR Submission |
01.09.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Government Says August Was Bloodiest Month for Iraqis in Past Year |
01.09.2009 |
|
Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS): Iraq: Stormy Times as U.S. Withdraws |
05.09.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Bombs across Iraq Kill 18 |
07.09.2009 |
|
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Joint written statement submitted by the Women's International Democratic Federation (Abuse and Torture in Iraq) |
07.09.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Suicide Truck Bomb Kills 20 in Northern Iraq |
10.09.2009 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Operational Update – Iraq: ICRC Activities in August 2009 |
15.09.2009 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Iraq COI Report September 2009 |
16.09.2009 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Kurdistan Regional Government Area of Iraq COI Report September 2009 |
16.09.2009 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW), Iraq: Halt All Attacks on Civilians |
23.08.2009 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Protection Monitoring Assessments Summary, January – October 2009 |
10.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Suicide Bomber Kills 6 at Iraqi Funeral |
05.10.2009 |
|
Inter Agency Information & Analysis Unit (IAU Iraq)Fact Sheet: Housing & Shelter in Iraq World Habitat Day |
05.10.2009 |
|
HJT Research: Iraqi asylum seekers deported from the UK are sent back to Britain |
16.10.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: At Least 15 Killed at Sunni Mosque in Iraq |
16.10.2009 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Involuntary returns to Central Iraq contrary to UNHCR guidelines |
23.10.2009 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Two Car Bombs Kill At Least 132 in Baghdad |
25.10.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Dual Baghdad Bombings Kill 155, Wound 500 |
26.10.2009 |
|
US Department of State, International Religious Freedom Report 2009: Iraq |
26.10.2009 |
|
Amnesty International: Latest killings of civilians in Baghdad a 'war crime' |
26.10.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: At Least 8 Killed in Iraq Bombings |
01.11.2009 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Assessment of Return to Iraq |
03.11.2009 |
|
International Organization for Migration (IOM): Displaced Iraqis Face New Set of Challenges upon Return |
03.11.2009 |
|
ISN Security Watch: Baghdad divided |
09.11.2009 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Returning to Iraq: Country Information |
10.11.2009 |
|
Ministry of Transport: Armour Group undertake security for Ministry of Transport, Baghdad International Airport |
12.11.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Gunmen Kill 13 Villagers near Baghdad |
16.11.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Killings in Iraq Highlight Continuing Security Concerns |
16.11.2009 |
|
Brookings, Resolving Iraqi Displacement: Humanitarian and Development Perspectives |
18.11.2009 |
|
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Universal Periodic Review – Iraq: Summary of stakeholders' information |
01.12.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Car Bombs Kill Over 100, Wound More than 400 in Baghdad |
08.12.2009 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Iraq COI Report December 2009 |
10.12.2009 |
|
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): UNHCR reiterates concern about involuntary returns to Iraq amid violence |
11.12.2009 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR reiterates concern about involuntary returns to Iraq amid violence |
11.12.2009 |
|
UN Assistance Mission for Iraqi (UNAMI), Human Rights Report 1 January - 30 June 2009 |
14.12.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Bombings in Baghdad, Mosul Kill 8; Many Wounded |
15.12.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: 20 Killed in Central Iraq Bomb Attacks |
24.12.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: Violence in Iraq as Muslims, Christians Mark Religious Holidays |
25.12.2009 |
|
Congressional Research Service, Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security |
29.12.2009 |
|
Voice of America News: 23 Dead in Twin Bombings in Iraq's Anbar Province |
30.12.2009 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Civilian deaths from violence in 2009 |
31.12.2009 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), ICRC Annual Report 2010 |
2010 |
|
Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index: Methodology, Results and Findings 2010 |
2010 |
|
RAND, An Economic Analysis of the Financial Records of Al-Qa’ida in Iraq |
2010 |
|
Minority Rights Group International, Report: Still Targeted: Continued Persecution of Iraq’s Minorities |
2010 |
|
UN Assistance Mission for Iraqi (UNAMI), Human Rights Report, 1 July – 31 December 2009 |
2010 |
|
Ministry of Planning, National Development Plan, 2010 – 2014 |
2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IDP Programme Projects 2006-2010 |
2010 |
|
United Nations (UN), Humanitarian Action Plan |
2010 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Database |
01.01.2010 to date |
|
National Counter-Terrorism Command, Worldwide Incidents Tracking System (database source calendar - extracts up to Calendar Year 2011) |
01.2010 - 31.12.2011 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (UK): Iraq: Fear Grips Anbar after Bombings |
05.01.2010 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Bomb Attacks Kill Seven in Iraq |
07.01.2010 |
|
Freedom House Freedom in the World 2010: Iraq |
21.01.2010 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW)Country Summary |
20.01.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Three Suicide Bombers Attack Baghdad Hotels, Killing 36 People |
25.01.2010 |
|
Brookings, Iraq Index: Tracking Variables of Reconstruction & Security in Post-Saddam Iraq |
26.01.2010 |
|
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGR), Quarterly Report and Semiannual Report to the United States Congress |
30.01.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Governate Profile: Diyala |
02.2010 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), A tough road home: Uprooted Iraqis in Jordan, Syria and Iraq |
02.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Governate Profile: Kirkuk |
02.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Mission in Iraq: Newsletter Volume II 2010 |
02.2010 |
|
United Nations (UN), Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1883 (2009) |
08.02.2010 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), The Uncertain Security Situation in Iraq: trends in violence, casualties and Iraqi perceptions |
17.02.2010 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Sixteen Killed In Spate of Attacks Across Iraq |
22.02.2010 |
|
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), Returnees and IDPS face difficulties in registration and obtaining documentation required (2005 – 2009) |
25.02.2010 |
|
International Crisis Group (ICG)Iraq’s Uncertain Future: Elections and Beyond |
25.02.2010 |
|
Congressional Research Service Iraq Casualties: US Military Forces and Iraqi Civilians, Police and Security Forces |
25.02.2010 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR Iraq Operation Monthly Statistical update on return - March 2010 |
03.2010 |
|
UNHCR, Iraq Fact Sheet |
03.2010 |
|
US Department of Defence, Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq: March 2010 Report to Congress |
03.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Early Voting in Iraq Marred by Suicide Attacks |
04.03.2010 |
|
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) Iraq: Little new displacement but around 2.8 million Iraqis remain internally displaced: A profile of the internal displacement situation |
04.03.2010 |
|
Compass Direct (USA): Violence Escalates in Mosul, Iraq ahead of Elections |
05.03.2010 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Iraq: Meeting the Challenges of 2010 |
10.03.2010 |
|
US Department of State, 2009 Human Rights Report: Iraq |
11.03.2010 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Car Bomb Kills Seven in Fallujah |
15.03.2010 |
|
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Human Rights Annual Report 2009 - Countries of Concern: Iraq |
17.03.2010 |
|
Danish Immigration Service, Honour Crimes against Men in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and the Availability of Protection |
23.03.2010 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Iraq War Logs: What the numbers reveal |
23.10.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Violence Rocks Iraq Ahead of Vote Results |
26.03.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: At Least Six Killed in Iraq Bombings |
28.03.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Car Bombs Kill 5 in Iraqi Holy City |
29.03.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM UK’s Reintegration Assistance to returnees under VARRP’s New Approach (2007 – 2009) |
04.2010 |
|
Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, The Making of UNHCR's guidance and its implementation in the national jurisdiction of the United Kingdom, Norway and Sweden |
04.2010 |
|
Economist Intelligence Unit Country Report, Iraq |
01.04.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Iraqi Insurgents Kill 24 People with Ties to Pro-US Militia |
03.04.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Three Massive Bombs Rock Baghdad, at Least 41 Killed |
04.04.2010 |
|
Brookings, April 2010 Index Update: A look into the Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq Index Projects |
05.04.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Bombs Kill 35 People in Shi'ite Neighborhoods of Baghdad |
06.04.2010 |
|
Amnesty International: Killings of civilians in Iraq constitute 'war crimes' |
07.04.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Bombings in Iraq Kill 6 |
10.04.2010 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Diyala Initiative - Facilitating returns and creating conditions for sustainable reintegration |
12.04.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Emergency Needs Assessments, Four Years of Post-Samarra displacement in Iraq |
13.04.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Baghdad Violence Kills Sunni Cleric, Two Others |
14.04.2010 |
|
Danish Immigration Service Entry Procedures and Residence in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) for Iraqi Nationals |
15.04.2010 |
|
Amnesty International: Iraq urged to investigate secret prison allegations |
19.04.2010 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Q & A Iraq after the death of Al-Qaeda in Iraq's Leadership |
19.04.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Emergency Needs Assessments Displacement from Mosul, Ninewa |
20.04.2010 |
|
Human Rights Watch: Iraq: Detainees Describe Torture in Secret Jail |
27.04.2010 |
|
Amnesty International, Iraq: Civilians under fire |
27.04.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Human Rights Watch: Torture 'Routine' at Secret Iraqi Detention Facility |
28.04.2010 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (UK): Sadr City Shaken by Bombings |
29.04.2010 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Reports: Eight Killed In Baghdad Car Bomb |
29.04.2010 |
|
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGR), Quarterly Report to the United States Congress |
30.04.2010 |
|
International Rescue Committee (IRC), 10,000 Refugees from Iraq – A report on Joint Resettlement in the European Union |
05.2010 |
|
Kurdistan Regional Government, Fact Sheet: Travel to the Kurdistan Region in Iraq |
01.05.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Attack on Iraqi Students Kills One, Wounds 80 |
02.05.2010 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Exaggerated claims, substandard research, and a disservice to truth |
05.05.2010 |
|
US Department of State, Iraq Status Report |
05.05.2010 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Scores Killed, Wounded in Attacks in Iraq |
10.05.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Attacks in Iraq Kill More Than 100 |
10.05.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Attacks in Iraqi Capital Kill at Least Five Police Officers |
11.05.2010 |
|
United Nations (UN), Development Assistance Framework for Iraq 2011 – 2014 |
11.05.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Attacks Kills Ten in Baghdad |
13.05.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Bombings near Iraqi Stadium kill at least ten |
14.05.2010 |
|
Danfoss, First Quarterly Report Jan-March 2010 |
17.05.2010 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Documented civilian deaths from violence |
20.05.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Car bomb kills 23 in Iraq |
21.05.2010 |
|
Brookings, Iraq Index: Tracking Variables of Reconstruction and Security in Post-Saddam Iraq |
25.05.2010 |
|
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression: Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received (Iraq excerpt) |
26.05.2010 |
|
Amnesty International, Iraq: Amnesty International Report 2010 |
27.05.2010 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Iraq and the United States: Creating a Strategic Partnership |
06.2010 |
|
Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Policy Notes: The Iraqi Security Forces: Local Context and U.S. Assistance |
06.2010 |
|
US Department of Defence, Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq: June 2010 Report to Congress |
06.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: at Least Five Killed in Iraq Explosions |
06.06.2010 |
|
Amnesty International: European states must stop the imminent forcible return of Iraqis |
06.06.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: At least Seven Killed in Iraq Attacks |
07.06.2010 |
|
Foreign & Commonwealth Office: Iraq – Internal Travel |
07.06.2010 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR cautions against European deportations to Iraq |
08.06.2010 |
|
Amnesty International: UK: Removals to Iraq put lives in danger |
08.06.2010 |
|
UNHCR: UNHCR cautions against European deportations to Iraq |
08.06.2010 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Baghdad Bank Attack Kills 12 |
13.06.2010 |
|
Amnesty International: Stop forcible returns from Europe to Iraq |
17.06.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: At Least 20 Killed in Iraq Attacks |
18.06.2010 |
|
Guardian: Iraqi asylum seekers claim they were beaten on flight to Baghdad |
18.06.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Twin Suicide Blasts Kill More Than Two Dozen in Baghdad |
20.06.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Bomb Attack Kills 8 in Northern Iraq |
21.06.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Nine Killed in Iraq Attacks |
24.06.2010 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Iraq: helping detainees and their families |
28.06.2010 |
|
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Iraqi Kurdish Border Displacement Situation Update Note |
07.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Iraq Facts and Figures |
01.07.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Suicide Bomber Kills At Least 30 Shi'ite Pilgrims in Baghdad |
07.07.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Suicide Bombers Kill at Least 46 in Iraq |
18.07.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Iraqi Mosque Bombing Kills 15 |
21.07.2010 |
|
HJT Research: News media reports on the fate of failed Iraqi asylum seekers deported from the UK |
22.07.2010 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Note on the Continued Applicability of the April 2009 UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-Seekers |
28.07.2010 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Annex to the Note on the Continued Applicability of the April 2009 UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-Seekers: Reports of Attacks and Security Incidents in Iraq since April 2009 |
28.07.2010 |
|
United Nations (UN), Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1883 (2009) |
29.07.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Review of Displacement and Return in Iraq |
08.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Iraq's July Death Toll Highest In Two Years |
01.08.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Iraq Bombings Kill At Least 12 in Southern City of Kut |
03.08.2010 |
|
US Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2009: Iraq |
05.08.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Roadside Bombs, Shootings Kill Ten in Iraq; Gunmen Kill 5 in Baghdad Checkpoint Shooting Spree |
15.08.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Explosions Wreak Havoc in Major Iraqi Cities |
25.08.2010 |
|
Ajazeera: Pulling out of Iraq, ‘US combat troops are leaving the country, but can the Iraqi army ensure security?’ |
30.08.2010 |
|
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): UNHCR concerned at ongoing deportations of Iraqis from Europe |
03.09.2010 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR concerned at ongoing deportations of Iraqis from Europe |
03.09.2010 |
|
Jane's Sentinel, Security Assessment: The Gulf States: Security and Foreign Forces” |
05.09.2010 |
|
BBC News: Fresh claims of Iraqi deportation “beatings” |
09.09.2010 |
|
Guardian: Deported Iraqi asylum seekers say they were beaten and forced off plane |
09.09.2010 |
|
Coalitions to Stop Deportations to Iraq (UK): Iraqi refugees assaulted on mass deportation flight to Baghdad |
09.09.2010 |
|
Danish Immigration Service Security and Human Rights in South/Central Iraq |
10.09.2010 |
|
Amnesty International: Thousands of Iraqi detainees at risk of torture after US handover |
13.09.2010 |
|
Amnesty International, New order, same abuses: Unlawful detentions and torture in Iraq |
13.09.2010 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Rights Group Says Torture, Abuses Routine in Iraqi Prisons |
13.09.2010 |
|
Voice of America News: Car Bombs Kill at Least 29 People in Iraq |
19.09.2010 |
|
IRIN: Refugees: UNHCR concerned over Iraqi deportations |
29.09.2010 |
|
International Reconstruction: Fund Facility for Iraq |
30.09.2010 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Operational Guidance Note, Iraq v.6 |
01.10.2010 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),Monthly Highlights, October |
10.2010 |
|
Congressional Research Service, The Kurds in Post-Saddam Iraq |
01.10.2010 |
|
UNAMI: UN expert calling for action on behalf of internally displaced persons in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Erbil - 03 October 2010 |
03.10.2010 |
|
Congressional Research Service Iraq Casualties: US Military Forces and Iraqi Civilians, Police and Security Forces |
07.10.2010 |
|
Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board, Travel Report: Iraq |
29.10.2011 |
|
The Guardian: Iraq war logs reveal 15,000 previously unlisted civilian deaths |
22.10.2010 |
|
The Guardian: Wikileaks Iraq, data journalism maps every death |
23.10.2010 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Iraq War Logs: The truth is in the detail |
23.10.2011 |
|
International Crisis Group (ICG), Loose Ends: Iraq’s Security Forces between US Drawdown and Withdraw |
26.10.2010 |
|
New York Times: A New Attitude in Sadr City (Slides) |
29.10.2010 |
|
New York Times: Baghdad’s Shiite Heart Beats as War Ebbs |
29.10.2010 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Operational Update Nov - Dec 2010, Iraq: unexploded munitions put civilians at risk |
11.2010 |
|
Amnesty International, Denmark, Human rights violations and concerns in the context of counter-terrorism, immigration-detention, forcible return of rejected asylum seekers and violence against women |
11.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Governate Profiles |
01.11.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Iraq displacement reports, Special focus – Disputed Internal Boundaries |
01.11.2010 |
|
Guardian: European court demands halt to forcible return of Iraqi asylum seekers |
05.11.2010 |
|
Guardian: Two asylum seekers deported to Baghdad and allegedly tortured were not Iraqi |
10.11.2010 |
|
Amnesty International Public Statement: European states must stop forced returns to Iraq |
10.11.2010 |
|
Council of Europe: Member states must respect ECHR decision on forced expulsions of Iraqis |
16.11.2010 |
|
US Department of State, International Religious Freedom Report 2010: Iraq |
17.11.2010 |
|
Guardian: Iranian wrongly deported to Baghdad claims he was tortured |
21.11.2010 |
|
Amnesty International: UK asylum removals to Iraq: Amnesty Response |
23.11.2010 |
|
United Nations (UN), Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1936 (2010) |
26.11.2010 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Operational Update September – October 2010, Iraq: Civilians still enduring undue hardship |
30.11.2010 |
|
The Iraq Partners Forum, Iraq Briefing Book |
12.2010 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iraq Fact Sheet, December 2010 |
12.2010 |
|
US Department of State, Iraq Status Report |
01.12.2010 |
|
Swedish Immigration Service, Delrapport fån utredningsresa till Irak – oktober/november 2010 (utsatta grupper –kristna), Migrationsverket 2010-12-09, Lifos 24184 |
09.12.2010 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Emergency Needs Assessment, Displacement of Christians to the North of Iraq |
15.12.2010 |
|
UNHCR: UNHCR Dismayed at forced repatriation of Iraqis: reports increase in flight of Iraqi Christians |
17.12.2010 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR reports increase in flight of Iraqi Christians; reiterates advice on protection needs |
17.12.2010 |
|
IRIN: Christian IDPs find refuge in Kurdish north |
23.12.2010 |
|
IRIN: Middle East: Iraqi refugees – interpreting the statistics |
28.12.2010 |
|
US Government Accountability Office, Accountability Office, Displaced Iraqis: Integrated International Strategy Needed to Reintegrate Iraq’s Internally Displaced and Returning Refugees |
12.2010 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Iraqi deaths from violence in 2010 |
30.12.2010 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Documented civilian deaths from violence |
30.12.2010 |
|
Chr Michelson Institute (CRI), Between Two Societies: Review of the Information, Return and Reintegration of Iraqi Nationals to Iraq (IRRINI) programme |
2011 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Iraq Newsletter - Volume I 2011 - Oct/Nov/Dec 2010 |
2011 |
|
RAND, From Insurgency to Stability, Vol II: Insights from selected case studies |
2011 |
|
Social Watch, Social Progress and Environmental Damage, the Basic Capabilities index and CO2 emissions |
2011 |
|
Institute for Economics and Peace, Global Peace Index: Methodology, Results and Findings 2011 |
2011 |
|
RAND, The 2008 Battle for Sadr City |
2011 |
|
UN Assistance Mission for Iraqi (UNAMI), 2010 Report on Human Rights in Iraq |
01.2011 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Iraq Newsletter, Vol II, 2011 |
01–03/2011 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Iraq Newsletter, Vol II, 2011 |
01–03/2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR concerned at planned forced return from Sweden to Iraq |
18.01.2011 |
|
UNHCR: UNHCR seeks common sense European approach towards those fleeing violence |
19.01.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR seeks common sense European approach towards those fleeing violence |
19.01.2011 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW)Word Report 2011: Iraq |
24.01.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe: Iraq Drafts Plan to Help IDPs, Refugees |
26.01.2011 |
|
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGR), Quarterly Report and Semiannual Report to the United States Congress |
30.01.2011 |
|
Brookings, Iraq Index: Tracking Variables of Reconstruction & Security in Post-Saddam Iraq |
31.01.2011 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), Review of Displacement and Return in Iraq |
02.2011 |
|
Amnesty International. Broken Bodies, Tortured Minds: Abuse and Neglect of Detainees in Iraq |
02.2011 |
|
Inter Agency Information & Analysis Unit (IAU Iraq), Governorate Profiles 2011 |
02.2011 |
|
International Institute for Strategic Studies, Armed Conflict Database |
02.2011 |
|
Guardian: G4S security firm was warned of lethal risk to refused asylum seekers |
08.02.2011 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR): City of Contrasts |
08.02.2012 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Iraq: Patterns of Violence, Casualty Trends and Emerging Security Threats |
09.02.2011 |
|
Jane's Sentinel, Security Assessment: “The Gulf States: Security” |
12.02.2012 |
|
PLoS Medicine, 2011; 8 (2): e1000415, Violent Deaths of Iraqi Civilians, 2003–2008: Analysis by Perpetrator, Weapon, Time, and Location |
15.02.2011 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), New Study: Analysis by Perpetrator, weapon, time and location (2003-2008) |
16.02.2011 |
|
United Nations (UN), Report of the Representative of the Secretary General on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Walter Kalin, Visit to Iraq |
16.02.2011 |
|
Refugees International, Iraq’s displaced: a stable region requires stable assistance |
16.02.2011 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), A Threat Transformed, Al Qaeda and Associated Movements in 2011 |
20.02.2011 |
|
Human Rights Watch: Iraq: Vulnerable Citizens at Risk |
21.02.2011 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW), Iraq: Vulnerable Citizens at Risk |
21.02.2011 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW), At a Crossroads: Human Rights in Iraq Eight Years after the US-Led Invasion |
22.02.2011 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Iraq: Facts and Figures, January – December 2010 |
03.2011 |
|
International Rescue Committee (IRC), Annual Report 2010 Iraq Country Programme |
03.2011 |
|
Jane's Sentinel, Security Assessment: The Gulf States: Non-State Armed Groups |
21.03.2011 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Iraq Country of Origin Information (COI) Report March 2011 |
25.03.2011 |
|
International Crisis Group (ICG), Iraq and the Kurds: Confronting Withdrawal Fears |
28.03.2011 |
|
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Human Rights and Democracy: the 2010 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Report (extract) |
31.03.2011 |
|
United Nations (UN), Second report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1936 (2010) |
31.03.2011 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Iraq Newsletter, Vol III 2011 |
04-06/2011 |
|
Inter Agency Information & Analysis Unit (IAU Iraq), Landmines and Unexploded Ordinance Factsheet |
04.2011 |
|
National Counter-Terrorism Command, Iraq's Civil Society in Perspective |
04.2011 |
|
UK Department for International Development (DFID), Iraq Operational Plan |
04.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Comments MOMD Comprehensive Plan to address Displacement in Iraq, Meeting of UN and International Organisations with GoI |
05.04.2011 |
|
US Department of State, 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Iraq |
08.04.2011 |
|
Amnesty International, Days of rage: Protests and Repression in Iraq - Testimonies/Case Studies |
12.04.2011 |
|
Iraq Business News: AKE Security, Sticky Bombs on the Rise |
19.04.2011 |
|
National Counter-Terrorism Center, 2010 Report on Terrorism |
30.04.2011 |
|
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGR), Quarterly Report to the United States Congress |
30.04.2011 |
|
Oxfam, Protection of civilians in 2010: Facts, figures, and the UN Security Council’s response |
05.2011 |
|
Amnesty International, Denmark: Human Rights violations and concerns in the context of counter-terrorism, immigration-detention, forcible return of rejected asylum seekers and violence against women |
05.2011 |
|
InterSOS, Providing Fair Protection Processes and Documentation for Internally Displaced and Host Communities: The Experience of the Protection and Assistance Centers (PACs) in Southern Iraq |
05.2011 |
|
US Commission on Religious Freedom (ISCIRF), Annual Report 2011 |
05.2011 |
|
InterSOS, Addressing the legal needs of the displaced in Southern Iraq |
05.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iran, Return Guide for the Voluntary Repatriation of Iraqis |
05.2011 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR): Iraqis’ Mixed Emotions Over Bin Laden’s Death |
06.05.2011 |
|
Freedom House Freedom in the World 2011: Iraq |
12.05.2011 |
|
Amnesty International, Amnesty International Annual Report 2011 - Iraq |
13.05.2011 |
|
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Annual Report Iraq 2010 |
17.05.2011 |
|
IRIN: Iraq, Preparing for a possible returnee influx |
18.05.2011 |
|
InterSOS, Stories from the Protection and Assistance Centers of Iraq |
25.01.2011 |
|
US Department of State, Strengthening Iraq: Fact Sheet |
19.05.2011 |
|
iCasualties List of US fatalities as of May 28 2010 |
28.05.2011 |
|
Danish Immigration Service Iranian Kurdish Refugees in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) |
06.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Global Report 2010: Iraq |
06.2011 |
|
Inter Agency Information & Analysis Unit (IAU Iraq), Urban Baghdad: Impact of conflict on daily life |
06.2011 |
|
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), Iraq: IDPs and their prospects for durable solutions |
06.2011 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Iraq Newsletter, Vol IV 2011 |
06-09/2011 |
|
British Embassy Baghdad: ISSUE: Foreign contractors/risk to western collaborators in Baghdad and Iraq |
01.06.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Multiple bombings in Ramadi leave at least five dead |
02.06.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: At least 17 killed in blast at mosque in Iraq's Tikrit |
03.06.2011 |
|
Middle East Institute, Displacement and National Institutions: Reflections on the Iraqi experience |
06.06.2011 |
|
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UN official urges stronger action to protect Iraqi civilians |
07.06.2011 |
|
Middle East Institute, Iraqi Refugee and IDPs: From Humanitarian Intervention to Durable Solutions |
09.06.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Six killed in bombings in Iraq's Mosul |
11.06.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Car bombs kill more than 20 in central Iraq |
21.06.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iraq Fact Sheet, May 2011 |
21.06.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Baghdad Market Blasts Kill at Least 21 |
23.06.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Iraq Suicide Attack Kills At Least Two |
26.06.2011 |
|
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)Quarterly Update on Iraq, 30 December 2011, 30 September 2011, 30 June 2011, 31 March 2011 |
30.06.2011 |
|
National Geographic: Baghdad After the Storm |
07.2011 |
|
Minority Rights Group International, State of the World’s Minorities and Indigenous People 2011, Events of 2010 |
07.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Safe at Last? Law and Practice in Selected EU Member States with respect to asylum-seekers fleeing indiscriminate violence |
07.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: U.S. general warns insurgent attacks threaten Iraq |
05.07.2011 |
|
United Nations (UN), Third report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1936 (2010) |
07.07.2011 |
|
Iraq Business News: AKE Security, Safety in Kurdistan |
08.07.2011 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR): New Role for Najaf |
13.07.2011 |
|
Congressional Research Service, Iraq: Politics, Governance and Human Rights |
15.07.2011 |
|
IRIN: Iraq: Youth unemployment driving emigration |
20.07.2011 |
|
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Iraq, Complex Emergency |
26.07.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): UNHCR assists hundreds of displaced Iraqis at border with Iran |
27.07.2011 |
|
British Embassy Baghdad: ISSUE: Freedom of Movement and Requirements to Transfer Personal Documentation in Order to Relocate in Iraq |
27.07.2011 |
|
Ministry of Transport: The opening of Mosul International Airport |
28.07.2011 |
|
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGR), Quarterly Report and Semiannual Report to the United States Congress |
30.07.2011 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Country Fact Sheet, Iraq |
08.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR Iraq Refugee Returnee Monitoring: 2011 Mid Year Report and UNHCR, Iraq Fact Sheet, June – July 2011 |
08.2011 |
|
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), Unlocking protracted displacement: An Iraqi case study |
08.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Car bomb attack targets church in northern Iraq, injures 14 |
02.08.2011 |
|
Press Release: UNAMI and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights : 2010 Report on Human Rights in Iraq: Human rights situation in Iraq remains fragile |
08.08.2011 |
|
Congressional Research Service, Iraq: Politics, Governance and Human Rights |
09.08.2011 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Iraq Newsletter, Vol I, 2012 |
10-12/2011 |
|
USATODAY.COM: Iraq army delays pullout from cities over security |
08.10.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Dozens killed in Iraq bombings |
15.08.2011 |
|
UN News Service: UN officials condemn wave of deadly bombings across Iraq |
15.08.2011 |
|
Congressional Research Service, Iraq Map Sources |
15.08.2011 |
|
UN News Service: Deploring deadly blasts in Iraq, Security Council urges punishment of perpetrators |
18.08.2011 |
|
US Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2010: Iraq |
18.08.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Turkish Army Says Up To 100 Kurdish Rebels Killed in Northern Iraq |
23.08.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: At least 28 dead in Baghdad mosque attack |
28.08.2011 |
|
Congressional Research Service, Iraq: Politics, Governance and Human Rights |
29.08.2011 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Iraq Country of Origin Information (COI) Report August 2011 |
30.08.2011 |
|
IWPR: Hard Times for Iraqis Fleeing Unrest Elsewhere |
31.08.2011 |
|
IWPR: US Troops Face New Threat from Iraqi Shia Militia |
31.08.2011 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Confronting an Uncertain Threat: The Future of Al Qaeda and Associated Movements |
09.2011 |
|
The Lancet Journal, Casualties in civilians and coalition soldiers from suicide bombings in Iraq, 2003 – 2010: a descriptive study |
01.09.2011 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Casualties of suicide bombings in Iraq, 2003-2010 |
03.09.2011 |
|
US Department of State, July-December, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report: Iraq |
13.09.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Gunmen kill 22 Shi'ite pilgrims in Iraq |
13.09.2011 |
|
Iraq Business News, AKE Security: A Return of Illegal Checkpoints |
13.09.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Bomb attacks against Iraq security forces Kill 17 |
14.09.2011 |
|
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), Iraq: Response still centred on return despite increasing IDP demands for local integration |
23.09.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Multiple explosions reported in Iraqi shrine city of Karbala |
25.09.2011 |
|
International Crisis Group (ICG), Failing Oversight: Iraq's Unchecked Government |
26.09.2011 |
|
International Crisis Group (ICG), Iraq’s New Battlefront: The Struggle over Ninewa |
28.09.2009 |
|
Congressional Research Service Iraq: Politics, Governance and Human Rights |
30.09.2011 |
|
National Counter-Terrorism Command, Political, Humanitarian, and Military Frameworks in the Iraqi Disputed Territories on the Eve of US withdrawal |
10.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Iraqi security forces end hostage crisis, casualties reported |
03.10.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Refugees Return to Baghdad, September 2010 – August 2011 |
03.10.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), IDPs Return to Baghdad, September 2010 – August 2011 |
03.10.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Total Return to Iraq September 2010 – August 2011 |
03.10.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Total IDPs return to Iraq, September 2010 – August 2011 |
03.10.2011 |
|
United Nations (UN), Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 2001 (2011) |
28.11.2011 |
|
Voice of America News: Series of Baghdad Bombings Kill at Least 25 |
12.10.2011 |
|
Iraq Business News, Iraq controls own airspace for first time since 2003 |
12.10.2011 |
|
IWPR: Iraqi Kurds offer Christians a Sanctuary |
12.10.2011 |
|
Iraq Business News, US Helps build safe and efficient rail system |
13.10.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries: Statistical overview of asylum applications lodged in Europe and selected non-European countries |
18.10.2011 |
|
British Embassy Baghdad: Entry Procedures for UK Returnees |
19/10/2011 |
|
Voice of America News: US Withdrawal Raises Questions of a Vacuum in Iraq |
21.10.2011 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Iraq and US Strategy in the Gulf |
24.10.2011 |
|
Voice of America News: Iraq Car Bombs Kill at Least 5 |
26.10.2011 |
|
Brookings, Index of State Weakness in the Developing World |
27.10.2011 |
|
The Guardian: Double bomb attack strikes Iraqi capital |
28.10.2011 |
|
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGR), Quarterly Report to the United States Congress |
30.10.2011 |
|
Brookings, From Responsibility to Response: Assessing National approaches to internal displacement |
11.2011 |
|
UNHCR: Response to inquiry regarding returnees/deportees: documentation, assistance and conditions at Baghdad Airport |
03.11.2011 |
|
Iraq Business News, AKE Security: Mapping Violence in Iraq |
05.11.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: At Least 12 Killed As Blasts Rock Baghdad |
06.11.2011 |
|
The Guardian: Triple Blast hits Baghdad Market |
06.11.2011 |
|
Voice of America News: Bomb Blasts in Central Baghdad Leave Eight Dead |
06.11.2011 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross:Iraq: ICRC delivering more aid where it is needed most |
08.11.2011 |
|
Congressional Research Service, Iraq: Politics, Governance and Human Rights |
10.11.2011 |
|
Congressional Research Service Iraq: Politics, Governance and Human Rights |
10.11.2011 |
|
European Commission Humanitarian, Aid & Civil Protection Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP): Iraq Crisis |
11.11.2011 |
|
UK Home Office, Proscribed terrorist groups |
11.11.2011 |
|
Christian Science Monitor: As US exits Iraq, a top general’s warning |
21.11.2011 |
|
Mawtani.com, International companies invest in six Iraqi shopping centres |
21.11.2011 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Bulletin – Collation of IGC Member States’ Responses to Returns to Iraq |
22.11.2011 |
|
UKBA: Iraq bulletin – Collation of IGC Member States’ Responses on Returns to Iraq dated 22 November 2011 |
22.11.2011 |
|
Voice of America News: Three Bombings Kill 19, Injure 65 in Southern Iraq |
24.11.2011 |
|
Voice of America News: Baghdad Bombings Kill 15 |
26.11.2011 |
|
Voice of America News: Iraqi Violence Kills 22 |
28.11.2011 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), The Outcome of Invasion: US and Iranian Strategic Competition in Iraq |
28.11.2011 |
|
Minority Rights Group International, Iraq’s Minorities: Participation in Public Life |
28.11.2011 |
|
Brookings, Iraq Index: Tracking Variables of Reconstruction and Security in Post-Saddam Iraq |
30.11.2011 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iraq Operation, Statistical Report on UNHCR Registered Iraqis and Non-Iraqis |
30.11.2011 |
|
Iraq Knowledge Network, Essential Services Fact Sheet |
12.2011 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Operational Guidance Note: Iraq |
12.2011 |
|
Iraq Knowledge Network, Labour force fact sheet |
12.2011 |
|
Voice of America News: New, Deadly Attacks Rattle Iraqi Province |
01.12.2011 |
|
Voice of America News: Iraq Bombings Kill 28 Shi'ite Pilgrims |
05.12.2011 |
|
Integrated Regional Information Network News (IRIN): Iraq: Overall violence down - but attacks on minorities continue |
05.12.2011 |
|
United Nations: “Withdrawal of United States forces in Iraq at year's end will give Iraqis chance to prove themselves, but entails many challenges”, UN envoy tells Security Council |
06.12.2011 |
|
Congressional Research Service, Iraq: Politics, Governance and Human Rights |
06.12.2011 |
|
UK House of Commons, The Terrorism Act 2000: Proscribed Organisations |
07.12.2011 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR): Sunni Separatist Fears as US Troops Leave Iraq |
07.12.2011 |
|
McClatchy Newspapers: Huge numbers of Iraqis still adrift within the country |
11.12.2011 |
|
New York Times: Junkyard Gives up Secret Accounts of Massacre in Iraq |
14.12.2011 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Iraq: People living in rural areas remain among the most affected |
14.12.2011 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Iraq: Putting US Withdrawal in Perspective |
15.12.2011 |
|
National Public Radio (NPR): There’s No Going Home For Iraqi Squatters |
17.12.2011 |
|
New York Times: Iraq After the US military withdrawal |
18.12.2011 |
|
NPR, “The IED: The $30 bombs that cost the US billions” |
18.12.2011 |
|
National Public Radio (NPR): Former Envoy to Iraq says situation still ‘very fragile’ |
18.12.2011 |
|
Voice of America News: Crumbling Infrastructure Slows Iraqi Growth |
19.12.2011 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW)Iran/Turkey: Recent Attacks on Civilians in Iraqi Kurdistan |
20.12.2011 |
|
The Guardian: Sunni leaders warn of sectarian chaos in Iraq |
20.12.2011 |
|
Human Rights Watch: Iran/Turkey: Recent Attacks on Civilians in Iraqi Kurdistan At Least a Dozen Dead; Thousands Displaced Since July |
20.12.2011 |
|
Foreign Policy News: The Damage Done |
21.12.2011 |
|
Reuters Alertnet FACTBOX – Security developments in Iraq |
21.12.2011 |
|
The Guardian: Baghdad car bomb attack rips through Iraq's already failing hopes |
22.12.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Scores Killed In Wave Of Bombings In Baghdad |
22.12.2011 |
|
Human Rights Watch: Iraq: Deadly Bombings an Assault on Human Rights |
22.12.2011 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR): Conflict Fears as Iraqi Power Balance crumbles |
22.12.2011 |
|
BBC News: Dozens killed in co-ordinated Baghdad attacks |
22.12.2011 |
|
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)Travel Advice, Iraq |
23.12.2011 |
|
US Department of State, Travel Advice, Iraq |
23.12.2011 |
|
Brookings, Iraq on the Brink |
24.12.2011 |
|
Brookings, Understanding the Iraq Crisis |
24.12.2011 |
|
Newsweek Magazine, “Iraq: Baghdad without America” |
26.12.2011 |
|
BBC News: Iraq interior ministry hit by suicide bomber |
26.12.2011 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: FACTBOX – Security developments in Iraq |
26.12.2011 |
|
Reuters: Suicide bomber kills seven outside Iraq ministry |
27.12.2011 |
|
Congressional Research Service Iraq: Politics, Governance and Human Rights |
27.12.2011 |
|
The Guardian: Al-Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Baghdad Bombings |
27.12.2011 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), The Broader Crisis in Iraq |
27.12.2011 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Al-Qaida claims responsibility for Baghdad blasts |
27.12.2011 |
|
Agence France-Presse: Iraq, Suicide car bomb outside Baghdad hospital kills 31 |
27.12.2011 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: FACTBOX – Security developments in Iraq |
28.12.2011 |
|
Voice of America News: Analysts: Al-Qaida in Iraq Aims to Stir Sectarian Strife |
29.12.2011 |
|
Integrated Regional Information Networks News (IRIN): Analysis: Worrying signs for Iraq's stability as USA pulls out |
30.12.2011 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Iraq Newsletter, Vol I, 2012 |
2012 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Mission in Iraq, 2003 – 2011 |
2012 |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Monthly Statistical Update on Return |
01.2012 |
|
Danish Refugee Council, Local Humanitarian Accountability Framework (HAF) Iraq 2012 |
01.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: FACTBOX – Security developments in Iraq |
01.01.2012 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW), Iraq: Country Summary |
01.01.2012 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: ‘Iraqi Civilian Deaths Increase In 2011’ |
02.01.2012 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Iraqi deaths from violence 2003–2011 |
02.01.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: FACTBOX – Security developments in Iraq |
03.01.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: FACTBOX – Security developments in Iraq |
04.01.2012 |
|
Amnesty International: Iraq: Amnesty International condemns latest killings of civilians |
05.01.2012 |
|
The Guardian: Iraq suicide attack kills 30 |
05.01.2012 |
|
The Guardian: Iraq's shias targeted in deadly bomb blasts |
05.01.2012 |
|
Voice of America News: Scores Dead as Bombings Shake Iraq During Political Crisis |
05.01.2012 |
|
Amnesty International: Iraq: Amnesty International condemns latest killings of civilians |
05.01.2012 |
|
Reuters: Roadside bomb kills five in southern Iraq: police |
05.01.2012 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Sectarian Violence Worsens in Iraq Amid Political Crisis |
05.01.2012 |
|
IRIN, New government plans to tackle population displacements |
05.01.2011 |
|
Agence France Presse: Rockets his Green Zone as Iraq marks Army Day |
06.01.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: FACTBOX Security Developments in Iraq |
08.01.2012 |
|
USCIRF: USCIRF Condemns Attacks on Shi'ite Pilgrims in Iraq |
09.01.2012 |
|
Amnesty International: Year of rebellion: The state of human rights in the Middle East and North Africa (Iraq excerpt) |
09.01.2012 |
|
US Commission on International Religious Freedom: USCIRF Condemns Attacks on Shi’a Pilgrims in Iraq |
09.01.2012 |
|
Voice of America News: Baghdad Bombs Target Shi'ite Pilgrims, 16 Killed |
09.01.2012 |
|
Agence France Presse: Attacks in Iraq, wound 15 Afghan pilgrims |
09.01.2012 |
|
US Commission on International Religious Freedom: USCIRF Condemns Attacks on Shi’a Pilgrims in Iraq |
09.01.2012 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Persons detained by the US in relation to armed conflict and the fight against terrorism – the role of the ICRC |
09.01.2012 |
|
BBC News: Iraq Profile |
10.01.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: Security developments in Iraq |
11.01.2012 |
|
Iraq Business News: New Railway opened between Karbala and Musayyib |
12.01.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: Security developments in Iraq |
12.01.2012 |
|
Foreign Policy: My Mesopotamian Getaway |
13.01.2012 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Suicide Bomber Kills At Least 50 Shi'ite Pilgrims’ |
14.01.2012 |
|
Reuters: Timeline: Deadliest attacks in Iraq last year |
14.01.2012 |
|
Reuters: Attack on Iraqi Pilgrims kills 50, scores hurt |
14.01.2012 |
|
The Guardian: Seven Iraqi police officers killed after gunmen storm government compound |
15.01.2012 |
|
Reuters: Ten dead in militant attack in Iraq’s Ramadi |
15.01.2012 |
|
Christian Science Monitor: Shiite and Sunni: What are the differences |
15.01.2012 |
|
Reuters: Car Bombs Kill At Least 9 in Iraq’s Mosul |
16.01.2012 |
|
The Guardian: Iraq: What next for a corrupt and divided country |
16.01.2012 |
|
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): Human Rights in Countries of Concern: Quarterly Update on Iraq, October to December 2011 |
16.01.2012 |
|
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): Human Rights in Countries of Concern: Quarterly Update on Iraq, October to December 2011 |
16.01.2012 |
|
COI Service: Iraqi Civil ID Cards and residency, enclosing: Note of meeting with Hassanain Hadi Fadhil, Second Secretary , Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, London |
16.01.2012 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR): Alarm as Shia Paramilitaries Enter Politics |
17.01.2012 |
|
Voice of America News: Allawi: Iraq Heading Toward Sectarian War |
18.01.2012 |
|
National Public Radio: After 20 Years, An Iraqi Returns to a Changed Land |
19.01.2012 |
|
Integrated Regional Information Networks News (IRIN): Iraq: People consider fleeing as violence increases |
19.01.2012 |
|
Amnesty International, Year of rebellion: The state of human rights in the Middle East and North Africa (Iraq excerpt) |
19.01.2012 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR): Shia Casualties Rise after American Withdrawal |
21.01.2012 |
|
Reuters: Iraq risks slipping into authoritarianism – rights group |
22.01.2012 |
588. |
British Embassy Baghdad: ISSUE: Renewal or Reissuance of a Civil Status ID card and Provisions to Change Place Of Residence in Iraq |
22.01.2012 |
|
Erbil International Airport: News and Notices, Press Notice 2011 results EIA exceeds its targets as it records +37% growth in passenger numbers |
22.01.2012 |
|
Reuters: Car bombs kill 14, wound 75 in Iraq capital |
24.01.2012 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: At Least 14 Killed, Scores Hurt In Baghdad Bombings |
24.01.2012 |
|
Thomson Reuters Alertnet: Iraqis condemn US Haditha sentence as insult |
24.01.2012 |
|
Agence France Presse: Bombs in and around Baghdad kill 12 |
24.01.2012 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Militia Leader Reported Killed In Baghdad |
25.01.2012 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Attack On Iraqi Policemen's Home Kills 10 On Violent Day |
26.01.2012 |
|
The Telegraph: Iraq sectarian war flares as 32 killed in suicide attack on funeral procession |
27.01.2012 |
|
Voice of America News: Car Bomb Kills 31 in Shiite Neighbourhood of Baghdad |
27.01.2012 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Violence Soars As Political Crisis Paralyzes Iraq |
27.01.2012 |
|
BBC News Middle East: Car Bomb attack near funeral in Baghdad kills 32 people |
27.01.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: TIMELINE – Deadliest attacks in Iraq last year |
27.01.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet; Iraq Factbox – Security Developments in Iraq |
27.02.2012 |
|
Iraq Business News, AKE: Security Statistics from 2011 |
28.01.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet; Iraq Factbox – Security Developments in Iraq |
28.01.2012 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM provides emergency assistance to families affected by bombing in Baghdad |
28.01.2012 |
|
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGR), Quarterly Report and Semiannual Report to the United States Congress |
30.01.2012 |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK), IOM Emergency Needs Assessments - Update, Displacement of Christians to the North of Iraq |
31.01.2012 |
|
Brookings, Iraq Index: Tracking Variables of Reconstruction & Security in Iraq |
02.2012 |
|
Carnegie Endowment, The State of Iraq |
02.2012 |
|
BBC News Middle East: Iraq executes 17 people days after UN rebuke |
01.02.2012 |
|
Swiss Confederation, Department of Justice and Police, Report on Joint Finnish-Swiss Fact Finding Mission to Amman and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Area, May 10 -22 2011 |
01.02.2012 |
|
LIFOS, Joint Swiss-Finnish FFM to Amman and the Kurdish Regional Government, May 2011 |
01.02.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: Iraq civilian deaths rise in January-govt figures |
01.02.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet; Iraq Factbox – Security Developments in Iraq |
01.02.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet; Iraq Factbox – Security Developments in Iraq |
05.02.2012 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Iraq and the Challenge of Continuing Violence |
06.02.2012 |
|
Musings on Iraq, January 2012: Security Statistics Undermine case that Iraq is heading towards New Civil War |
06.02.2012 |
|
Reuters Alertnet: Iraq Factbox – Security Developments in Iraq |
07.02.2012 |
|
Human Rights Watch: ‘Iraq: 65 Executions in First 40 Days of 2012’ |
08.02.2012 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR): Western Province Sides with Syrian Uprising |
09.02.2012 |
|
Human Rights Watch (HRW), Iraq: 65 Executions in First 40 Days of 2012 |
09.02.2012 |
|
Iraq Business News: Iraq to clamp down on security contractor |
10.02.2012 |
|
BBC News Middle East: Turkey ‘bombs hideouts of Kurdish rebels PKK’ |
12.02.2012 |
|
Washington Institute for Near East Policy: A Violent New Year in Iraq |
16.02.2012 |
|
Reuters: Iraq inquiry blames Sunni VP death squads for attacks |
16.02.2012 |
|
Reuters: Suicide attack on Baghdad police academy kills 19 |
19.02.2012 |
|
BBC News Middle East: Iraq gun and bomb attacks hit Baghdad and Baquba |
19.02.2012 |
|
IRIN, Iraq: Government vows to improve food aid system |
21.02.2012 |
|
Christian Science Monitor: As Al Qaeda moves fight to Syria, violence in Iraq drops sharply |
21.02.2012 |
|
Brookings, From National Responsibility to Response – Part i: General Conclusions on IDP Protection |
21.02.2012 |
|
Iraq Business News, AKE: Weekly Security Update |
22.02.2012 |
|
Brookings, From National Responsibility to Response – Part ii: IDPs Housing, Land and Property Rights |
22.02.2012 |
|
Aljazeera: Dozens dead in wave of Iraq attacks |
23.02.2012 |
|
Reuters: Timeline: Deadliest attacks in Iraq in last year |
23.02.2012 |
|
Institute for War and Peace Reporting: Iraq stunned by Bombing Wave |
23.02.2012 |
|
Congressional Research Service Iraq: Politics, Governance and Human Rights |
23.02.2012 |
|
New York Times: Iraq |
24.02.2012 |
|
Reuters: Iraq attacks kill 60, raise sectarian fears |
24.02.2012 |
|
Reuters: Iraqi al Qaeda claims country-wide attacks |
24.02.2012 |
|
Iraq Business News: Turkish Airlines increases to 4 flights/week to Basra |
28.02.2012 |
|
United Nations (UN), Human Rights Council: Joint written statement: Children of Iraq and Armed Conflicts |
28.02.2012 |
|
United Nations (UN), Human Rights Council: Joint written statement: Detention and Rule of Law in Iraq |
28.02.2012 |
|
United Nations (UN), Human Rights Council: Joint written statement: Iraqi children healt situation |
28.02.2012 |
|
Thomson Reuters Alertnet: Iraq Sunni insurgents keep fighting after U.S. pullout |
29.02.2012 |
|
BBC News Middle East: Iraq car bomb leaves three dead in Baghdad |
29.02.2012 |
|
Danish Immigration Service, Joint Report of the Danish Immigration Service/UKBA Fact Finding Mission to Erbil and Dahuk, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), Conducted 11-22 November 2011 |
03.2012 |
|
Human Rights Watch: Iraq: Intimidation at Anniversary Protests |
01.03.2012 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Iraqi Civilian Deaths Increase in 2011 |
02.03.2012 |
|
Iraq Business News, AKE: Attacking the police |
05.03.2012 |
|
British Embassy Baghdad: Entry Procedures for UK Returnees |
05.03.2012 |
650. |
British Embassy Baghdad: ISSUE: Mixed Sunni/Shia Marriages |
05.03.2012 |
|
Aljazeera: Iraqi forces targeted in deadly attacks |
05.03.2012 |
|
The Guardian: Al-Qaida kill 25 Iraqi police officers |
05.03.2012 |
|
Reuters: Gunmen kill 27 in raids on west Iraq |
05.03.2012 |
|
BBC News Middle East: Iraq attacks in Haditha Kill 27 Policemen |
05.03.2012 |
|
iCasualties Iraqi Coalition Casualties: Contractors – a partial list |
06.03.2012 |
|
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), The Outcome of Invasion: US and Iranian Strategic Competition in Iraq |
08.03.2012 |
|
ASSIST News Service (USA), Iraqi Teenagers Stoned to Death for Western Dress and 'emo' Haircuts |
12.03.2012 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: More Than A Dozen Killed In Iraqi Robbery, Other Attacks |
12.03.2012 |
|
Iraqi LGBT (UK): Militias massacre sexual minorities and Emo's in Iraq |
15.03.2012 |
|
Inter Press Service News Agency: Those Bodies in Baghdad Are of Gay Men |
16.03.2012 |
|
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: At Least 45 Killed In Series Of Blasts Across Iraq |
20.03.2012 |
|
Voice of America News: Explosions Across Iraq Kill Dozens |
20.03.2012 |
|
46 killed in attacks in 8 Iraq cities ahead of Arab summit |
20.03.2012 |
|
US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Halting the Descent: U.S. Policy toward the Deteriorating Situation in Iraq (Testimony of Kimberly Kagan, Institute for the Study of Way) |
21.03.2012 |
|
Barnabas Aid (UK): Bombed Iraqi church reopens but anti-Christian attacks continue |
27.03.2012 |
|
Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS): Exit Americans, Enter Sectarian Strife |
27.03.2012 |
|
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Iraq: Facts and Figures, January – December 2011 |
29.03.2012 |
|
Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders): Car bomb kills TV presenter in Tikrit |
03.04.2012 |
|
Associated Press: Iraq’s reconciliation conference postponed |
04.04.2012 |
|
UK Border Agency COIS Reports, Thematic Country of Origin Information (COI) Report, COI Service, Treatment of Persons Returning to Iraq, including failed asylum seekers; the situation of internally displaced persons and procedures to re-obtain documentation to access services and facilitate internal movement |
04.04.2012 |
|
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI): Iraq: Iraqi journalist killed by an explosive device in Tikrit |
05.04.2012 |
|
Iraq Business News: Weekly Security Updates |
06.04.2012 |
|
Iraq Body Count (IBC), Documented civilian deaths from violence |
07.04.2012 |
|
British Embassy Baghdad: ISSUE: Re-documentation Procedures |
07.04.2012 |
|
British Embassy Baghdad: ISSUE: Indiscriminate Violence in Iraq |
07.04.2012 |
|
British Embassy Baghdad: ISSUE: Monitoring of Returnees to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) |
08.04.2012
|
|
British Embassy Baghdad: ISSUE: Returns Procedure for UK failed asylum seekers |
08.04.2012 |
|
Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS): Those Laboratory Mice Were Children |
13.04.2012 |
|
ALERTNET - ADD – Iraq’s sunni insurgnts keep fightin tafter US pull out |
13.04.2012 |
|
News Times: Roadside bomb kills 2 policemen in Iraq |
14.04.2012 |
|
USA Today: Officials: 5 killed in Iraq attacks |
15.04.2012 |
|
Associated Press: Iraq: Gunmen kill 4 Shiite farmers near Baghdad |
16.04.2012 |
|
Newsday: Iraq: Gunmen kill 4 Shiite farmers near Baghdad |
16.04.2012 |
|
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Humanitarian Needs of Iraq's Population |
18.04.2012 |
|
iCasualties ICasualties, Iraqi Coalition Casualties: Fatalities by year |
18.04.2012 |
|
BBC News: Deadly blasts hit Baghdad, Kirkuk and other Iraq cities |
19.04.2012 |
|
UN Assistance Mission for Iraqi (UNAMI), Top UN Envoy in Iraq Condemns wave of bomb attacks across the country |
19.04.2012 |
|
Congressional Research Service, Iraq: Politics, Governance and Human Rights |
19.04.2012 |
|
Voice of America: Bombings Kill 24 in Baghded, Northern Iraq |
19.04.2012 |
|
International Crisis Group (ICG), Iraq and the Kurds: The High-Stakes Hydrocarbons Gambit |
19.04.2012 |
|
Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board, Travel Report: Iraq |
20.04.2012 |
|
British Embassy Baghdad: ISSUE: Mixed Sunni/Shia marriages |
20.04.2012 |
|
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)Travel Advice, Iraq |
22.04.2012 |
|
iCasualties ICasualties, Iraqi Coalition Casualties: Fatalities by province |
22.04.2012 |
|
Kurdistan Regional Government, Department of Foreign Relations ‘Residence’ |
27.04.2012 |
|
Guardian, Iraqi Parliament refuses to accept nationals deported from Europe |
02.07.2012 |
|
Brookings, National and Regional Laws and Policies on Internal Displacement, Iraq |
Undated |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK)About IOM UK |
Undated |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK)What we do, Sustainable livelihoods |
Undated |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK)What we do, Monitoring and Assessment |
Undated |
|
International Organisation for Migration (IOM UK)The Story of Zahra’a |
Undated |
|
Minorities Councils, About Us and Internal Bylaw |
Undated |
|
Minorities Councils, NGO Home page, Map showing areas of Iraq’s minorities |
Undated |
|
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received (Iraq excerpt) |
Undated |
|
Prism 1. No 2., An interview with Raymond T. Odierno |
Undated |
|
Quandil, Web Page |
Undated |
|
Refugee Action, Choices, Assisted Voluntary Return Programme |
Undated |
|
Refugee Action, Choices, Further Information English |
Undated |
|
Refugee Action, Stories of Return to Iraqi Kurdistan |
Undated (Circa 2011) |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR returnee assistance in country of asylum by regional UNHCR offices |
Undated (circa 2010) |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Significant Achievements in 2009 |
Undated (circa 2010) |
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iraq: 2010 UNHCR country operations profile |
Undated |
|
Iraq Civil Aviation Authority, Iraqi Airports |
Undated |
|
Voice of America News: Bombings Rock Baquba Ahead of Iraq Elections |
Undated |
715. |
Hansard: Asylum Claims on 16 June 2003: News Release: Asylum Numbers Down, New Drive on Removals – Home Secretary on 24 February 2004 |
|
|
A UKBA investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Guardian newspaper publishing a story that Iraqi national alleged being assaulted and abused after a failed removal on 15 October 2009 |
|
|
A UKBA investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Guardian Newspaper publishing a story that Iraqi nationals alleged being assaulted and abused after a failed removal on 15 October 2009 |
|
|
A UKBA investigation into the circumstances surrounding Operation Rangat 2 on 16 June 2010 |
|
|
UKBA investigation into the Iraqi Charter Operation on 06 September 2010 |
|
|
A UKBA investigation into the circumstances surrounding an allegation from Ms Kxxx Oxxx the girlfriend of Mr Axx Axx Txxx via Ms Axxx Oxxx from Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS) that Mr Txxxx was assaulted by G4S Escorts on 06 September 2010 on arrival at Baghdad International Airport |
|
AAH – Asaib Ahl al-Haq
AQI – Al-Qaeda in Iraq
AVRIM – Assisted Voluntary Return Irregular Migrants Programme
AVRFC – Assisted Voluntary Returns for Families and Children
BIAP – Baghdad International Airport
BMD – Bureau of Migration and Displacement
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency
COIS – Country of Origin Information Service
CSID – Civil Status ID
CSIS – Center for Strategic and International Studies
CSOs – Civil Society Organisations
EDPs – externally displaced persons
EGIs –UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines
FCO – Foreign and Commonwealth Office
GoI – Government of Iraq
GPI – Global Peace Index
HRW – Human Rights Watch
IAU – UN Agency Information Unit
IBC – Iraq Body Count
ICRC – International Committee of the Red Cross
IEDs – improvised explosive device
IDMC – Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
IMF – International Monetary Fund
IDPs – Internally displaced persons
IED – improvised explosive device
IIP – Iraqi Islamic Party
IGC – Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees
INC – Iraqi Nationality Certificate
IOM – International Organisation for Migration
IRIN – Integrated Regional Information Networks
ISF –Iraqi security forces
JSCRA – Jane's Sentinel Country Risk Assessment
KDP – Kurdistan Democratic Party
KH – Kata’ib Hizbullah
KRG – Kurdish Regional Government
KRI – Kurdistan region of Iraq
LGBTI – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex
MDO – Migration Delivery Officer
MoDM – Ministry of Displacement and Migration
MNF-I – The Multi-National Force – Iraq
NCCI – NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq
NGO – Non government organisation
OCHA – Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
OGN – Operational guidance notes
OHCHR – Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
PAC – UNHCR Protection Assistance Centres
PAO – Public Aid Organisation
PARCs – rotection Assistance Reintegration Centers
PDS – Public Distribution System card (food ration card)
PSU – UKBA’s Professional Standards Unit
PUK – Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
RICC – UNHCR Return Integration & Community Centres
RMJ – Refugee and Migrant Justice
SIGIR – Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
SoI – The Sons of Iraq
UNAMI – United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq
USDD – US State Department
UNSC – UN Security Council
VARRP – Voluntary Assisted Return and Integration Programme
VBIED – multiple vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
[1] From 21 December 2013 this directive is replaced by Directive 2011/95/EU of 13 December 2011; but by recital 50 the UK and Ireland are not taking part in its adoption. In any event, Article 15(c) is unaffected by these changes.