Iraq: Information on whether there is forced recruitment of Peshmerga by the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRQ25001.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Information on whether there is forced recruitment of Peshmerga by the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), 1 September 1996, IRQ25001.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aabe34.html [accessed 17 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. |
The following information was provided during a 25 September 1996 telephone interview with the editor of the International Journal of Kurdish Studies in New York.
The source stated that prior to 1993 there was no need for Kurdish organizations to forcibly recruit new combatants. However, when fighting between Kurdish groups such as the KDP and the PUK broke out in 1994, the resulting demand for manpower lead to people being pressured to enlist in one of the rival parties. People who enlist are required to perform tasks from the transport of materials to fighting. The source indicated that both the PUK and the KDP have pressured people to join their ranks since 1994. Before requesting the assistance of the Iraqi army in August 1996, the KDP was facing serious military losses in and around the city of Arbil at the hand of the PUK and was the most desperate for reinforcements.
The following information was provided during a 24 September 1996 telephone interview with the director of the Kurdish Studies Program at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
The source stated that that people likely would not be forcibly be forcibly recruited into the Peshmerga because there is a high level of unemployment in Iraqi Kurdistan, and because the profession of Peshmerga provides a good salary in this poor area of Iraq. People often enroll in the Peshmerga for economic reasons.
For general information on the Peshmerga in Iraqi Kurdistan, please consult the 28 February 1995 Amnesty International report entitled Iraq: Human Rights Abuses in Iraqi Kurdistan since 1991, especially page 6.
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
Editor, the International Journal of Kurdish Studies, New York. 25 September 1996. Telephone interview.
Director, Kurdish Studies Program, Florida State University, Tallahassee. 24 September 1996. Telephone interview.
