Iraq: Information on 1) the recent amnesty for deserters and 2) penalties for illegal departure and failure to register with the embassy in foreign countries while studying or visiting abroad
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1991 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRQ9488 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Information on 1) the recent amnesty for deserters and 2) penalties for illegal departure and failure to register with the embassy in foreign countries while studying or visiting abroad, 1 October 1991, IRQ9488, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abf970.html [accessed 19 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. |
violations; punishment; unlawful departure; Iraq
1) According to an FBIS article, the Revolution Command Council
(RCC) announced in July 1991 that it would grant a general
amnesty to those who deserted, failed to report for military
service or fled the country during their military service. The
article further indicated that officers were excluded from this
amnesty (FBIS-NES-91-140 22 July 1991, 12). However, the Supreme
Assembly of the Islamic Revolution of Iraq (SAIRI) described the
pardon announced by the Iraqi government as "another ploy."
(FBIS-NES-91-144 26 July 1991, 15). According to the clandestine
radio station Voice of Rebellious, some of the people who
turned themselves in in response to the amnesty announcement were
arrested, detained or deported to unknown destinations in Baghdad
(FBIS-NES-91-158 15 Aug. 1991, 15). For further information,
please refer to the attached documents (including the text of the
amnesty decision).
2) Information on penalties incurred by students or visitors
who fail to register with the embassy in foreign countries, and
information on penalties for illegal departure is currently
unavailable to the IRBDC. However, according to Middle East
Watch's report entitled Human Rights in Iraq, there are
sanctions for people who fail to return to Iraq. For example,
students who study abroad are required to have a guarantor;
should the student fail to come back, the guarantor is required
to reimburse the Iraqi government for the cost of all education
the student received in Iraq and abroad (Middle East Watch Feb.
1991, 67). The report adds that amnesties have frequently been
offered and frequently violated. Some of those who have returned
have disappeared and others have been denied the right to travel
outside (Ibid., 69).
Bibliography
FBIS-NES-91-140. 22 July 1991. "Political Prisoners, Others
Granted Amnesty" on Baghdad INA [in Arabic, Baghdad], 21 July 1991.
FBIS-NES-91-144. 26 July 1991. "Opposition Group Rejects Baghdad Amnesty Ploy" on Tehran IRNA [in English, Tehran], 25 July 1991.
FBIS-NES-91-158. 15 August 1991. "Opposition Claims Government
Reneging on Amnesty" on Voice of Rebellious [in Arabic,
Iraq], 13 August 1991.
Middle East Watch. February 1990. Human Rights in Iraq. New
York: Middle East Watch Committee.
Attachments
FBIS-NES-91-140. 22 July 1991. "Political Prisoners, Others
Granted Amnesty" on Baghdad INA [in Arabic, Baghdad], 21 July 1991.
FBIS-NES-91-144. 26 July 1991. "Opposition Group Rejects Baghdad
Amnesty Ploy" on Tehran IRNA [in English, Tehran], 25 July 1991.
FBIS-NES-91-158. 15 August 1991. "Opposition Claims Government
Reneging on Amnesty" on Voice of Rebellious [in Arabic, Iraq], 13 August 1991.
Middle East Watch. February 1990. Human Rights in Iraq. New
York: Middle East Watch Committee.
