Nowhere to Flee

The Perilous Situation of Palestinians in Iraq

I. Executive Summary

II. Recommendations

To the Iraqi Authorities, including the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Displacement and Migration

To the United States and the U.S.-led Multinational Forces in Iraq

To the Governments of Jordan, Syria, and Other Countries in the Region

To the Government of Israel

To the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees

To Donors and the International Community

III. Background: The Palestinian Refugees in Iraq

IV. The 2003 War and the Backlash against Iraqi Palestinians

Physical Attacks and Threats

Expulsion of Palestinian Families from their Homes

V. 2003 Flight from Iraq and the Jordanian Response

Initial Flight and the Establishment of al-Ruwaishid and al-Karama Camps

Al-Ruwaishid camp

Al-Karama Camp, 2003-2005

No Readmittance to the Camps after Return to Baghdad Proves Non-Viable

VI. Renewed Violence against Palestinians

The Situation after the Samarra Bombing

VII. Iraqi Ministry of Interior Registration Requirements and Official Harassment of Palestinians

Torture and "Disappearances"

Onerous Registration Procedures for Palestinian Refugees

Safety Concerns with Palestinian Identity Documents

VIII. Closed Borders and Lack of Resettlement Alternatives

Background: The Protection Gap for Palestinian Refugees

The 2006 Jordan Border Issue

Syria's Offer to Take Palestinian Refugees

IX. Conclusion: The Need for a Regional Solution and International Burden Sharing

X. Acknowledgements