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

September 2006   Volume 18, No. 4(E)