UNHCR's ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING THE ...

In addition, non-Kurdish persons, particularly Arabs, usually do not speak the language nor
are familiar with Kurdish customs and traditions, making it difficult for them to integrate
into Kurdish societies. Arabs are also often met with suspicion by the Kurdish authorities
and population for perceived links to the former regime and/or the ongoing insurgency. 842
According to UNAMI, Arab IDPs in the three Northern Governorates suffer from
discrimination and are given the least assistance by the Kurdish authorities due to security
fears. 843
d) Persons Who May Not Be Able to Find Protection
The following provides a non-comprehensive list of groups of persons who may not be able
to find protection upon relocation in the three Northern Governorates. Such persons may
not be admitted to the Region, may still be targeted by the perpetrators of persecutory acts,
or may have difficulties accessing basic services and therefore face undue hardship.
- Persons with no family, community, political or business links to the three Northern
Governorates, as they may not be able to find a sponsor guaranteeing their entry and/or
residency;
- Former Ba’athists, unless their background has been cleared and no involvement in
crimes has been established;
- Members of former security/intelligence services;
- Persons with a criminal record;
- Arab males, as well as those suspected of supporting the insurgency or intending to
carry out terrorist attacks in the Region of Kurdistan;
- Persons with a high profile (e.g. political figures, academics, judges, etc.), because they
may still be within reach of their persecutors;
- Turkmen and Arabs from Kirkuk, who may be denied entry to the Governorate of
Sulaymaniyah for political reasons (this may be viewed as changing the demographics
of Kirkuk); if admitted, they may face undue hardship due to obstacles in accessing
services;
- Kurds and members of religious minorities from Kirkuk, Khanaqeen and Mosul, who
would face problems relocating to the Governorates of Sulaymaniyah and Dahuk for
political and demographic reasons; if admitted, they may face undue hardship due to
obstacles to accessing services;
- Women fearing “honour killing” as well as persons fleeing tribal conflict (blood feuds),
as they may still be within reach of their families or communities which are the sources
of the threats;
- Single women and female heads of household, if not accompanied by male relatives
and/or receiving financial assistance from relatives, who may face undue hardship due
to limited access to employment, except for qualified professionals.
3. IFA/IRA Within the Three Northern Governorates for Iraqis Who
Originate From These Governorates
842 See also Sunni Arabs.
843 UNAMI HRO, December 2006 Human Rights Report, p. 17-18 and 20, see above footnote 10.
171