Iraq: Evidence of harassment by Iraqi authorities of Iraqi nationals living in Kuwait
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 August 1990 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRQ6487 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Evidence of harassment by Iraqi authorities of Iraqi nationals living in Kuwait, 1 August 1990, IRQ6487, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaed53.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. |
Information regarding evidence of harassment by Iraqi authorities of Iraqi nationals living in Kuwait has recently been received at the IRBDC in Ottawa. From a general perspective, Amnesty International's Middle East Research Department reported that Iraqi autorities are monitoring and harassing Iraqi nationals living abroad, although Amnesty International added that "it is difficult to get conclusive evidence" of these reports ("Iraqi Abroad", 7). Amnesty International reported that files on the activities of Iraqi nationals abroad are kept in Iraqi Embassies (Ibid.). Amnesty International reported that,
With respect to known or suspected opponents abroad, the fears of surveillance and risks of reprisals are very real in some cases. Several such persons have been assassinated, usually in circumstances which implicated Iraqi agents or diplomats (Ibid.).
Amnesty International claimed that there was active surveillance of the activities of Iraqi nationals by the Iraqi Embassy in Kuwait ("Kuwait", 4). Amnesty International stated that, "it is assumed that files are kept on all Iraqis residing there, and that close monitoring is carried out not only of suspected opponents but of all Iraqis generally, and Shi'a workers in particular" (Ibid.). Reports of ill-treatment of Iraqis who were deported from Kuwait were received by Amnesty International (Ibid.).
For further information, please consult the attached photocopies of Amnesty International :
1) Amnesty International, Monitoring of Iraqis in Kuwait and Other Gulf States, 16 February 1990.
2) Amnesty International, Monitoring of Iraqis Nationals Abroad by The Government, 16 February 1990.
Further information is currently unavailable at the IRBDC in Ottawa.
Bibliography
Amnesty International, Monitoring of Iraqis in Kuwait and Other Gulf States, 16 February 1990.
Amnesty International, Monitoring of Iraqis Nationals Abroad by The Government, 16 February 1990.
No written information could be find among the sources available to the IRBDC in Ottawa on evidence of harassment by Iraqi authorities of Iraqi nationals living in Kuwait.
However, an oral source contacted by telephone on 1 August 1990, reported that since Kuwait's independence in 1961, Iraq although officially recognizing the independence of Kuwait believes that the territory occupied by Kuwait is part of Iraq. This source indicates that a well-known and active opponent to the Iraqi regime (i.e. Shi'a and Kurdish) can be subject to harassment.
No information available to the IRBDC could be found to corroborate this oral source.
