Norway is returning refugees to Central Iraq, despite the acts of war in the region. This is in contradiction to UN recommendations not to send refugees to the Central or Southern Iraq.
The Norwegian Aliens Board is of the opinion that the disturbances in the area are not extensive enough for the Iraqis to require a general need for protection.
UNHCR spokesman in the Nordic countries, Paal Aarsaether, reacts strongly to the Norwegian practice:
- We view this as very surprising. Watching the situation daily in the news media, it is obvious that Norway ought not to send people back to this area now, he says.
This is the third time this year that Norway is contravening UN guidelines. This last summer both Afghan and Somali refugees were returned to their homeland, against UN recommendations.
