UNHCR's ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING THE ...

Internal Flight or Relocation Alternatives (IFA/IRA)
UNHCR considers that an internal flight or relocation alternative within Central or
Southern Iraq for those fleeing violence and human rights violations is on the whole not
available. The security situation throughout the region is highly volatile, with a risk of
persecution or other serious harm present throughout. Travel within Central and Southern
Iraq is also generally unsafe. Physical and legal barriers impede both travel to and residence
in other areas. Finally, restrictions in access to food, shelter, basic services,
income/employment and education are such that a relatively normal life generally cannot be
pursued without undue hardship. When, however, the availability of an internal flight or
relocation alternative must be assessed in a national procedure, it should be examined
cautiously, taking into account the particular circumstances of the applicant.
The availability of an IFA/IRA for individuals from Central and Southern Iraq in the three
Northern Governorates must be carefully assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into
consideration, in particular, the relevance and reasonable analyses in these Guidelines. The
Governorates are not easily accessible from Central and Southern Iraq, with travel by road
highly dangerous, and many parts of the unofficial borders heavily mined and subject to
security checks. Travel by air, while relatively safer, is not without risks. Entry and
residency measures require certain preconditions to be met, including having a sponsor and
satisfying security checks. Political and demographic reasons may affect whether a person
is admitted and granted legal residence. Even for those admitted, State or family/tribal
protection from persecution may not be guaranteed due to their background. Others may
have problems in accessing food, education, health and employment. A non-exhaustive
listing of categories of persons who may not be able to find protection upon relocation to
the three Northern Governorates is provided in these Guidelines. 5
With regard to an IFA/IRA within the three Northern Governorates, it should be noted that,
despite the unification of the KDP-administration in Erbil/Dahuk and the PUKadministration
in Sulaymaniyah in January 2006, the two administrations still remain
largely split. Thus, access to legal residence for those who relocate from one administered
area to the other is highly unpredictable, and may be restricted, or, if obtained, could be
withdrawn for political reasons. Basic services may also be difficult to access and
protection from persecution may not be available. Each claim must thus be assessed on its
individual merits.
Exclusion
In light of Iraq’s history of serious human rights violations and transgressions of
international humanitarian law in the country’s long experience with conflicts, exclusion
considerations may well arise in individual claims for refugee status. This may be
particularly the case for Iraqis with certain backgrounds and profiles, including those
affiliated with the previous Ba’athist regime, its armed forces, the police, the security and
intelligence apparatus and the judiciary; members of armed groups that opposed the former
regime; members of the current ISF; members of militias or insurgency groups; and those
5 See “Persons Who May Not Be Able to Find Protection”.
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