Iraq: Information on 1) the deportation of Iraqi Kurds to Iran in 1980 and its effect on their rights as Iraqi nationals; 2) the rights of these Iraqi Kurds in Iran who have been residing in that country since 1980
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRQ10226 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Information on 1) the deportation of Iraqi Kurds to Iran in 1980 and its effect on their rights as Iraqi nationals; 2) the rights of these Iraqi Kurds in Iran who have been residing in that country since 1980, 1 February 1992, IRQ10226, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab904.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A representative of the Arab League in Ottawa provided the following information on the above-mentioned subjects during a telephone interview on 3 February 1992.
1) The Iraqi government deported between 80,000 and 100,000 Kurds to Iran in 1980; although natives of Iraqi Kurdistan, they were identified as Iranians. Like Iraqi Shias of Iranian origin, the Iraqi Kurds deported to Iran have lost their Iraqi nationality.
2) These Kurds have been residing in Iran as political refugees since 1980. They have not acquired Iranian nationality.
A representative of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ottawa offered the following information during a telephone interview on 3 February 1992:
Iran accepts as refugees all people deported to Iran, regardless of their ethnicity. This also includes Iraqi Kurds who have been deported to Iran since 1980; their entry into Iran is considered legal. It is difficult for these refugees to obtain either permanent residence status or Iranian nationality. The Iranian authorities consider their requests for permanent residence status or nationality on a case-by-case basis. As a rule, these refugees are granted three- or six-month temporary visas which are renewed upon expiry.
Attached please find a copy of Response to Information Request IRQ7202 on the deportation of Iraqi Kurds to Iran in 1980.
Additional and/or corroborating information on the subject is currently unavailable to the IRBDC.
Bibliography
Arab League, Ottawa. 3 February 1992. Telephone Interview with Representative.
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ottawa. 3 February 1992. Telephone Interview with Representative.
Attachment
Immigration and Refugee Board Documentation Centre, Ottawa. 4 December 1990. Response to Information Request IRQ7202.
