Sema
Monitoring by Sama
In an unprecedented and unconstitutional move that violates the basic rights of citizens, the High Committee for Relief, under the supervision of the Federal Minister of Migration and Displacement, has begun carrying out demographic changes in areas inhabited by Christian and Ezidi communities, by forcing their original residents to remain in camps.
Due to the war against ISIS, a large number of citizens — particularly from the Christian and Kurdish Yezidi components — were relocated to camps, with the support of the people and government of the Kurdistan Region and the assistance of international agencies and organizations.
Currently, there are 18 refugee camps in the Kurdistan Region, where more than 600,000 displaced persons are unable to return to their areas, awaiting suitable conditions for a safe and dignified return. Instead of supporting voluntary return and contributing to achieving stability, the Minister of Migration and Displacement, together with the High Committee for Relief, has chosen to deprive the displaced of returning to their areas, forcing them to remain outside their original homes without consultation.
Forcing displaced persons to undergo involuntary integration in areas other than their original ones creates a new demographic reality that contradicts the Iraqi federal constitution. Internationally, it also violates the behavioral principles adopted by the United Nations on internal displacement, as well as international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which support voluntary, safe, and dignified return — not return dictated by administrative decisions or temporary, unrealistic plans.
To address this situation, we urge the following actions:
- The Federal Government must suspend and refrain from implementing the decisions of the Minister of Migration and Displacement.
- The UN Special Envoy and international organizations must work with the Federal Government to halt these decisions.
- We call for the swift implementation of the Sinjar Agreement, the appointment of a new district commissioner, the launch of the reconstruction process, normalization of the situation, and provision of essential services.
The Kurdistan Regional Government affirms its commitment to a legal solution for issues related to the voluntary and dignified return of displaced persons, ensuring their present and future security, access to basic services, and protection of property.
The current situation cannot be resolved by evading proper solutions or ignoring the root causes. The decisions made in the recent meeting are a retreat from reality and an abdication of fundamental responsibility in solving existing problems.
— Ministry of Interior, Kurdistan Regional Government