Irak 231

'BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights 30 October 2007
Press Release

FAILING TO PROTECT
13 PALESTINIANS KILLED IN DESPERATE BOAT-RIDE FOR SAFETY

Last weekend, thirteen bodies, most likely of Palestinian refugees from Iraq,
were recovered on the coast of Italy after their boats, carrying at least 127
persons in search of safety, had broken apart. These tragedies highlight the
failure of the international community to protect Palestinian refugees.
Saving the lives of Palestinian refugees persecuted in and fleeing Iraq is a
priority. Emergency temporary protection and relocation opportunities must be
provided immediately, until repatriation becomes possible.
Badil calls upon the PLO to request all states, in particular Yemen, to allow
Palestinian refugees from Iraq to enter their territory to seek temporary
protection and/or relocation. Badil also calls upon states, the United
Nations, the PLO and civil society organizations to bring Israel into
compliance with its obligations so that Palestinian refugees can exercise
their right of return and find safety and stability through durable
solutions.
Few countries, such as Syria, Jordan, Brazil and Canada, have generously taken
in Palestinian refugees, but none have shown willingness to welcome all or
most Palestinian refugees from Iraq. Fewer still are willing to exert
pressure on Israel to allow the refugees to return to their homes of origin
in Israel and the 1967 Occupied Palestinian Territory.
In October, Sudan's president, Omar Bashir, announced that Sudan was willing
to take in Palestinian refugees stranded on the Iraqi-Syrian border.
Why Not Sudan
While the details of the Sudanese offer have remained sketchy, it has already
been rejected by Palestinian refugees from the al-Tanf camp who argue that
Sudan is not a sustainable option. Sudan has itself generated over 2.5
million refugees and its government is guilty of serious human rights
violations. While Palestinian refugees in the al-Walid camp have not yet made
their final decision, they too appear unwilling to risk their lives by
relocating to Sudan.
In many ways, Sudan is not a safe place and not able to accommodate the
refugees. More conflict between the government and rebel groups is expected,
and resources are inadequate to meet the needs of the refugees, many of whom
have undergone traumatic events and require special medical assistance.
Operations of international aid agencies, including UNHCR, are restricted as
a result of the international sanctions imposed on the government of Sudan,
and NGO assistance is generally not facilitated in government controlled
areas.
Sudan, moreover, is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention. The legal
status of Palestinian refugees in Sudan is therefore unclear, and concerns
about arbitrary treatment by the government are justified.
Yemen: a possible option?
Another and perhaps more promising option might be found in Yemen. Indeed,
Yemen has informally indicated its willingness to allow Palestinian refugees
from Iraq to enter its territory for temporary protection and/or en route to
other destinations.
This option is likely to be accepted by most refugees and access of UNHCR and
other organizations would be guaranteed, including to refugees with special
needs. Officials in Yemen have indicated that they are waiting for a formal
request from the PLO, in order to open their borders to Palestinian refugees
from Iraq. Badil believes that the PLO and UNHCR should do their utmost to
ensure that Palestinian refugees from Iraq can seek protection in Yemen, and
until their right to return to their homes of origin becomes possible.
BADIL calls upon states, the PLO, UNHCR, UNRWA and NGOs working for
Palestinian refugees to:
1)Provide Palestinian refugees in and from Iraq with temporary protection
and/or relocation opportunities, especially in Yemen which has indicated its
willingness to welcome the refugees;
2)Inform, consult and respect the wishes of the refugees;
3)Request Israel to permit the immediate return of Palestinian refugees from
Iraq to their homes of origin and redouble efforts for durable solutions;
4)Ensure that any from of protection recognizes, respects and protects the
right of return of Palestinian refugees, for example through registration
with UNRWA of entitled but previously unregistered persons.

BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights PO Box 728, Bethlehem, Palestine
Telefax: 00972-2-2747346
info@badil.org - www.badil.org'