Recently, you might have read in the Polish press that the authorities of Denmark, which soon plans to withdraw its troops stationing in Iraq, have brought home around 60 Iraqi interpreters and other workers employed by the Danish armed forces in Iraq, along with their families. Most of these people are to receive refugee status in Denmark. (16-AUG-07)
Written by Agnieszka Chmielecka/ HRH Warsaw
Source: ” Rzeczpospolita” (www.rzeczpospolita.pl)
Poland’s reaction to the information from Denmark
The Legal Assistance for Refugees and Migrants department of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights has drawn attention to this information. This step seems extremely important due to the difficult situation that these people could face in Iraq following the withdrawal of troops, with which they cooperated. Their lives and health could come under direct threat, they could be subject to torture, etc. Poland’s Minister of National Defense – Aleksander Szczyglo – in an interview for the daily “Rzeczpospolita” (of 08.08.2007), informed that a plan to evacuate Iraqis working for the Polish armed forces is being prepared and in case of the withdrawal of Polish troops from Iraq the authorities of the Republic of Poland should grant similar assistance as Danish authorities to individuals cooperating with our military.
The position of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
In accordance with the position represented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iraqis cooperating with International Forces are a group particularly open to actions bearing traits of persecution within the meaning of the Geneva Convention and Council Directive 2004/83/EC of 29 April 2004 on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and the content of the protection granted.
The solution adopted by Denmark is favorable. Iraqis cooperating with armed forces should be given a choice between receiving asylum and being guaranteed the opportunity to safely settle in another Arab country.
