Iraqi refugee crisis: Millions in flight
24 September 2007, 12:58PM
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The latest report by Amnesty International has found the world is largely ignoring the desperate humanitarian situation faced by more than 4 million displaced Iraqis. AI has warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis and greater political instability across the wider region, unless the international community meets its obligation to shoulder a fair share of the responsibility towards refugees.
Amnesty International's new report Millions in flight: the Iraqi refugee crisis, estimates the situation is the fastest growing displacement crisis in the world with over 4.2 million people now displaced 2.2 million inside Iraq and more than 2 million outside the country.
The exodus is the biggest population movement in the Middle East since Palestinians were displaced after the State of Israel was created in 1948.
The international community is failing to deal with the spiralling crisis leaving the neighbouring Syria and Jordan ֖ who are hosting most of the Iraqi refugees - shouldering too much of the responsibility. As a result, these two countries are now tightening border controls, cutting off the main escape routes for people fleeing from sectarian and other violence in Iraq.
The report found the international community has so far paid only lip-service to the needs of Iraq's displaced people with insufficient effort made to provide financial, technical and in-kind assistance or resettlement for those forced to flee their homeland.
Some states are even taking negative steps, including forcibly returning people to Iraq, cutting off assistance for those denied asylum or withdrawing refugee status.
Amnesty International is deeply concerned that without increased and long-term commitments from the international community, the lives of displaced Iraqis will become more desperate as they struggle to meet their daily needs, including housing, food, employment and health care.
The report, released on September 24, includes recommendations to the international community, in particular those who were involved in the US-led invasion of Iraq. It highlights the need for those countries to live up to their responsibilities sharing obligations and to cease practices that further jeopardise the safety of Iraqis.
Amnesty International is also calling for on-going assistance from the international community to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as well as humanitarian organisations to enable them to continue and to expand their work protecting and assisting Iraqis in need.
The report: Millions in flight: the Iraqi refugee crisis
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Comments
Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.
Jenny Luesby
27 September 2007, 06:03PM
The invasion of Iraq was a crime against humanity, much worse than the crimes attributed to Saddam. Unfortunately the greatest democracy on earth (hah!) is being run by the Pentagon and, as one of their spokesman was reported saying, “We don’t do peace”. The world is not in good hands!
Peter Posetti
27 September 2007, 01:22PM
Whatever we call them: the coalition of the “drilling”,"billing" or “willing”; those involved stand condemned for their lies, their corruption, and their wanton murder of innocent Iraqi citizens who have surely suffered enough. Get Bush whacked at the Hague!
Lindsay Smith
27 September 2007, 01:19PM
http://blogs.ft.com/rachmanblog/2007/09/bushs-iraq-addr.html
I wrote 2 letters that are currently in the Financial Times on this topic
Susan Lee
26 September 2007, 09:46PM
Wow, what a read. I like the way AI uses individual stories to highlight the human plight. How to get this across a crowded table of a politician about to embark on election campaigning in modern-day Australia? Makes me think about Harvey Norman and the ‘dumbing down’ of middle class Aussies - does AI put snippets of this on UTube?
Robin Davis
25 September 2007, 08:20PM
After reading Amnesty’s report I was surprised to learn that, Australia is doing more that its share in accepting Iraqi refugees.
By contrast, the US, the UK and most European countries should be condemned. For example the US, with more than ten times our population has accepted about one tenth as many Iraqis.
But even Australia’s effort is a drop in the bucket. As one of the “Coalition of the Killing” nations we should be obliged to accept as many Iraqis as want to come here.
If that prospect scares people - good. Perhaps next time the lies, deceit and crimes of “leaders” who should be answering for the actions in the Hague will be seen for what they are.
bobby
25 September 2007, 03:12PM
we are, were a very lucky country. but we take it for granted sometimes!! its because we were nrought up with different morales to our parents and their parents
******
25 September 2007, 03:11PM
The latest report by Amnesty International (AI) has found the world is largely ignoring the desperate humanitarian situation faced by more than 4 million displaced Iraqis. AI has warns of a deepening humanitarian crisis and greater political instability across the wider region, unless the international community meets its obligation to shoulder a fair share of the responsibility towards refugees.
commentor
25 September 2007, 03:07PM
The latest report by Amnesty International has found the world is largely ignoring the desperate humanitarian situation faced by more than 4 million displaced Iraqis. AI has warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis and greater political instability across the wider region, unless the international community meets its obligation to shoulder a fair share of the responsibility towards refugees
******
25 September 2007, 03:02PM
exactly
commentor
25 September 2007, 03:01PM
so what can we do to help please use the system appropaitly to post proper comment please aye
jack
25 September 2007, 03:00PM
I think that this is a serious problem because this problem is happening in iraq, so what could stop it happening in other countries.So australia and america are doing everything they can to try to prevent this problem happening in these countries.
marc
25 September 2007, 02:57PM
poor iraqis people should think of reading the above its a good item aye =)
***
25 September 2007, 02:53PM
yeah exactly
******
25 September 2007, 02:53PM
From reading the info above it makes us realise that were lucky to be in a country so wealthy and having Krys in aussie with us.
bobby
25 September 2007, 02:52PM
ok
krys
25 September 2007, 02:52PM
who knows.
maybe if they came here… then we would all be in trouble =)
bobby
25 September 2007, 02:51PM
do you think that this could happen over here?
FISH!
25 September 2007, 02:51PM
hello people (:
i like iraq (:
robert
25 September 2007, 02:48PM
the situation in iraq is a interesting topic, people don’t realise that whats happening there, can easily spread to other countries.
although americans and australians are desperately trying to help the situation, attempts from other people are only making the situation more serious.
(:
krys
25 September 2007, 02:40PM
yes.. aware of the issues people!
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