Report: Thirteen Palestinians fleeing Iraq drown after boat capsizes

Tuesday October 30, 2007 18:53 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC

A report released Tuesday by the Palestinian human rights organization Badil gave evidence that thirteen people who drowned off the coast of Italy this weekend were likely Palestinian refugees fleeing the violence in Iraq.

According to Badil, the boats carrying the refugees had broken apart - many were rescued, but thirteen were drowned. The group stated in their report that this tragedy “ highlights 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 called upon the Palestine Liberation Organization (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 called upon the international community, the United Nations, the PLO and civil society organizations to bring Israel into compliance with its obligations under international law so that Palestinian refugees can exercise their right of return to Palestine and find safety and stability through durable solutions.

A 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. 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.

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;

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.

international | refugees/immigration | news report saed at imemc dot org