Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Baghdad (Agenzia Fides) – The protection of refugees fleeing war-torn countries and their acceptance into European nations and other continents, where there are better living conditions, dignity, and respect of basic rights is a fundamental issue that the international community needs to respond to. This was what the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said in addressing the European Union Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs at their meeting, to reaffirm their commitment to the protection of Iraqi refugees and to agree on the establishment of an EU resettlement program.
In 2007, a total of 38,500 Iraqis applied for asylum in the 27 EU member states. The number of applications during the first seven months of 2008 was approximately 16,000. An estimated 2 million uprooted Iraqis remain in Syria, Jordan and other countries in the region.
High Commissioner António Guterres told a Conference on Asylum convened by the French EU Presidency that UNHCR hopes that the majority of Iraqi refugees will be able to return home in safety once the necessary conditions of stability and security are established. However, these conditions are not yet present. The security environment remains precarious, particularly in Central and Southern Iraq, where issues relating to shelter and property restitution or compensation have yet to be solved. UNHCR therefore appeals to asylum countries to extend protection to Iraqis who originate from Central and Southern Iraq and to refrain from forcible returns to these regions at this time.
Among the refugees are many Christians who will have to spend another winter suffering dangers and insecurity. The life of Christians in Iraq, marked by war and an escalated religion-derived violence, is always difficult. The situation is serious in Mosul, Baghdad, and Bassora, where the Christian communities continue to be threatened and suffer attacks. The few Christians left in Mosul are planning on moving to other regions or even other countries. Many have fled towards the autonomous province of Kurdistan.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian emergency situation worsens and the general situation of the country does not seem to improve. Thus, the humanitarian aid workers present in Iraq, such as Caritas, UNHCR, the World Food Program (WFP), and others, have all sent out an appeal to the highest international authorities asking them to respond to the situation of those who flee these areas of conflict, where fundamentalism and misery seem to reign. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/9/2008)
