Iran: Treatment by Iran of Iraqis who escaped to Iran in 1991, in particular how Iraqis could obtain permanent residence or other long term status in Iran; whether status could be conferred in the absence of Iraqi documents; whether children born to Iraqi parents in Iran would be considered Iranian citizens; whether Iraqis could operate their own business in Iran without permanent status; documents provided by the Iranian government to recognize temporary or permanent status
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRN31602.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iran: Treatment by Iran of Iraqis who escaped to Iran in 1991, in particular how Iraqis could obtain permanent residence or other long term status in Iran; whether status could be conferred in the absence of Iraqi documents; whether children born to Iraqi parents in Iran would be considered Iranian citizens; whether Iraqis could operate their own business in Iran without permanent status; documents provided by the Iranian government to recognize temporary or permanent status, 1 May 1999, IRN31602.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad233b.html [accessed 25 January 2017] |
| 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. |
According to the Persian Gulf researcher at the U.S. Committee for Refugees in Washington, who visited refugee camps in Iran in 1991, the crucial element to assess the treatment of Iraqi refugees is their ethnic origin (3 May 1999). Iraqi Kurds were not treated well compared to Iraqi Shias.
As stated in IRN31601 of 3 May 1999, Iraqi Shia refugees in Iran had better housing conditions than the Kurds. While Kurds were unlikely to obtain any permanent status in Iran, Shias were likely to obtain official papers for permanent status and to operate a business. Already in 1991, while visiting Iraqi Shia refugees in Iran, the researcher was able to witness many small Iraqi Shia-owned businesses along roads and in the camps without any Iranian intervention. The researcher added that such freedom would not have been allowed in Kurdish camps.
The researcher on the Gulf could not provide information on whether children born of Iraqi parents would receive Iranian citizenship.
Additional and/or corroborating information could not be found within the time alloted for this research.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
U.S. Committee for Refugees, Gulf researcher, Washington. 3 May 1999. Telephone interview.
Additional Sources Consulted
Electronic sources: Internet, LEXIS-NEXIS, WNC.
Two oral sources did not have information on this subject.
