Iraq: Information on the relaxation of exit controls in 1990
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRQ10752 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Information on the relaxation of exit controls in 1990, 1 April 1992, IRQ10752, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aae68c.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. |
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1990 reports that the Iraqi government:
eased travel restrictions imposed in 1982, but reimposed full restrictions after the invasion of Kuwait. During those 7 months, Iraqis of all ethnic and religious backgrounds whose loyalty to the regime was not in question were permitted to travel abroad for tourism and privately funded education. The regime continued to restrict travel of anyone whose political views were suspect (1991, 1462, 1463).
The report refers to "certain restrictions" despite the "liberalization of travel regulations" in the first seven months of 1990, including the government of Iraq's requirement that travellers "post a substantial bond to assure their return" and that married women had to "still have the concurrence of [their] husband[s] to travel abroad" (Ibid., 1463).
According to a representative of the Arab League in Ottawa, the Iraqi government did not relax exit controls in 1990 (29 Apr. 1992). The representative holds that certain groups of people, such as medical doctors and students, were not allowed to leave Iraq in 1990. The source adds that, despite difficulties, "some people" tried to leave Iraq through Amman (Jordan) where they realized that it would be difficult to travel to other countries because the Iraqi government had not issued them exit visas.
A representative of Middle East Watch had no information on the relaxation of exit controls in 1990 (29 Apr. 1992). However, the representative stated that the Iraqi government did relax its exit controls in 1991, resulting in the departure of an unknown number of Iraqis for Jordan in search of visas to Western countries.
Additional and/or corroborating information on the above subject is currently unavailable to the IRBDC.
References
Arab League, Ottawa. 29 April 1992. Telephone Interview with Representative.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1990. 1991. U.S. Department of State. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Middle East Watch, New York. 29 April 1992. Telephone Interview with Representative.
