Iraq: Information on any Iraqi government travel restrictions, difficulties or procedures regarding Iraqis travelling to Syria on Iraqi passports during the period 1980-1989, and whether these restrictions are still in force
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRQ17657.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Information on any Iraqi government travel restrictions, difficulties or procedures regarding Iraqis travelling to Syria on Iraqi passports during the period 1980-1989, and whether these restrictions are still in force, 1 June 1994, IRQ17657.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aafc1b.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 Embassy of Iraq in Ottawa declined to provide information on the above subject.
Although not specifically referring to the above subject, the following information may be useful. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1988 states that "t]he Government [of Iraq] seeks to limit the countries an Iraqi traveller may visit and, should the traveller visit a nonauthorized country, a small fine may be levied upon his return" (1989, 1360). Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1989 also states that the Iraqi government "sometimes limits the countries an Iraqi traveller may visit" (1990, 1417). Referring to travel difficulties during the Persian Gulf War, The Boston Globe reports that "[t]he Iraqi-Syrian border has not been open since 1978" (28 Jan. 1991).
Please note that the DIRB has contacted an oral source who may have information on the above subjects. This information will be forwarded to you when and if the DIRB receives it.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
The Boston Globe. 28 January 1991. City Edition. John Yemma. "3,000 Forced to Return to Baghdad for Visas; War in the Middle East." (NEXIS)
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1989. 1990. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1988. 1989. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Attachment
The Boston Globe. 28 January 1991. City Edition. John Yemma. "3,000 Forced to Return to Baghdad for Visas; War in the Middle East." (NEXIS)
Sources Consulted
Amnesty International country file (Iraq).
Committee Against Repression and for Democratic Rights in Iraq. 1986. Saddam's Iraq: Revolution or Reaction?
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1993. 1994.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1992. 1993.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1991. 1992.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1990. 1991.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1985. 1986.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1984. 1985.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1982. 1983.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1981. 1982.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1980. 1981.
DIRB country file (Iraq).
Middle East International [London]. 1990-94.
Middle East Watch. 1990. Human Rights in Iraq.
Middle East Watch. February 1990. Human Rights in Iraq.
News from Middle East Watch [New York]. 1990-94.
On-line search.
