United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Death threats cause panic in Baghdad's Palestinian refugee community



Panic has overtaken the Palestinian refugee community in Baghdad after more than one hundred families in the city have received death threats from groups calling them traitors. Many of the Palestinians, who have been living for years in Baghdad, are in a state of shock and panic and are taking the intimidation very seriously, UNHCR told journalists in Geneva on Friday. There are an estimated 34,000 Palestinians in Iraq, of whom 23,000 have been registered by UNHCR in Baghdad. The Palestinian refugees came to Iraq in three main waves - in 1948, in 1967 and in 1991. Palestinians have in the past few years faced evictions, threats and harassment. 

UNHCR increasingly concerned for Palestinians in Baghdad



UNHCR is increasingly concerned about the situation of Palestinians in Baghdad. On Thursday, we heard from the Palestinian community in Baghdad that reportedly over 100 families had received written death threats and that many are in a state of shock and panic. This panic may spread and lead to more Palestinians fleeing Baghdad. They are feeling increasingly trapped, and for security reasons many have stopped going to work and have taken their children out of school. While Iraqis are also affected by the general insecurity in Iraq, Palestinians feel especially vulnerable and targetted as they were perceived to have been treated favourably by the previous regime. 

UNHCR concerned for Palestinians travelling to Iraqi-Jordanian border



UNCHR spokesperson expressed the agency’s concerns about a group of Palestinian refugees, who decided to move to the Iraqi-Jordanian border. “We are very concerned about a group of 89 Palestinians, including 42 children, two elderly and three people with medical problems, who over the weekend decided to move to the Iraqi-Jordanian border from Baghdad where they had found their situation becoming increasingly difficult. The group was accompanied by two international staff members from an international NGO based in Iraq who facilitated their move to the border.” UNHCR reminded Palestinian representatives in Baghdad of Jordan’s refusal to open their borders to them. 

Palestinians leave desert camp for Baghdad



Scores of Palestinians have left a camp in eastern Jordan in recent days, opting to return to the frequent bombings and tension in Baghdad rather than spend another day hoping for a solution to their plight. In the last week, 46 Palestinians who fled Iraq during last year’s US-led war to topple Saddam Hussein have left Jordan’s barren Ruweished refugee camp for the Iraqi capital. Twenty more are expected to follow on Wednesday night, while another 30 have indicated a willingness to leave for Baghdad in the coming days. The Palestinians were among more than 1,500 people who have been living in camps assisted by the UN refugee agency in eastern Jordan’s desert. 

UNHCR seeks solutions for Palestinians on Iraq-Jordan border



The UN refugee agency has urged governments in the Iraq region to find solutions for hundreds of refugees facing harsh winter conditions near the border between Iraq and Jordan. UNHCR estimates that 1,800 people are living in refugee camps in eastern Jordan. UNHCR estimates that 1,800 people are living in refugee camps in eastern Jordan. More than half of them have been stuck in the no man’s land between Iraq and Jordan since April, unwilling to return to Iraq yet unable to enter Jordan. 

UNHCR uses high tech gear to register Palestinians in Iraq

Many of the Palestinians living in the dusty tented camp in Baghdad put on their best clothes before having their identity photo taken at UNHCR’s registration point. Children, especially boys, are fascinated by the high–tech computers and digital cameras. They are mesmerised as colour pictures of their parents instantly appear on laptop screens.