Cultural Backgrounder: Refugees from Iraq

LAST UPDATED: OCTOBER 2020

CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER REFUGEES FROM IRAQ

IRAQ

BAGDAD

INTRODUCTION During the years 2017-2019, 303 refugees from Iraq arrived in EU-27 countries through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) resettlement programme, with most people resettling in Portugal, Sweden and Germany.1 Between the first quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020, Red 25,070 refugees fromSea Iraq sought asylum for the first time in the EU.2 ERITREA

ASMARA

Need for Resettlement destroyed and almost 6 million people fleeing their 6 homes; of these, over 260,000 people were estimated 7 During the past four decades, Iraq has experienced to have been forced to flee Iraq. Thousands of people multiple wars, oppression and economic and political of Yazidi, Christian and Mandean faith were displaced, 8 sanctions which have led to over 9 million people being kidnapped, raped, tortured and killed. Moreover, Jihadi displaced from their homes.3 groups such as ISIS continue to attack groups that reject their interpretation of Islam, including Shia Muslims.9 In 2003, coalition forces led by the United States invaded Iraq, leading to a period of violence and Between 2014 and 2017, ISIS committed genocide 10 displacement during which 1 in 25 Iraqis were estimated against the Yazidi community of Iraq, who were to have fled their homes.4 According to the International primarily based in Sinjar, the northern part of the country. Organization for Migration (IOM), 1.6 million people, or Yazidis were killed, forced into sexual slavery, tortured, 5 subjected to forcible displacement and measures were DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC 5.5% of the population, were internally displaced OF THE CONGO during the war, and between 103,013 and 112,571 used to prohibit the birth of Yazidi children. As of 2019, Iraqi civilians were killed in the violence.5 no ISIS member had been prosecuted or convicted for KINSASA those particular crimes in Iraq.11 In 2011, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) forces took advantage of societal tensions and captured areas in different parts of the country. In 2014, an ISIS campaign led to half the country’s infrastructure being

– 1 – This publication was funded by EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS) the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. Reports from across the country note that Christians As of the end of 2019, Iraq was hosting thousands of were threatened with being killed by ISIS or forced to refugees and asylum seekers of other nationalities, the convert to Islam if they did not leave the areas in which majority of whom were from Syria, with a smaller number they were living. The majority of Christians are believed to coming from Turkey, Iran, and Palestine.12 have fled ISIS.8 Despite its fall in 2017, ISIS still poses a threat in parts of the country.6 As noted by Human Rights Watch, throughout 2019, Iraqi authorities continued to force returns and block Although a significant number of internally displaced returns of displaced people with perceived ISIS people were able to return to their homes in 2018, they affiliations (usually this perception stems from their continue to face challenges; many do not have access to area of origin, tribal affiliation or family name), with basic services, proper shelter or livelihood opportunities.6 some people being forced to move back to their home In December 2018, it was estimated that there were communities despite serious security concerns. The Iraqi 1.8 million internally displaced persons in Iraq.12 government also prepared to bring back nationals who had fled the country and detain them in camps because Throughout 2019, Iraqi forces arbitrarily detained ISIS unemployment16 and foreign interference17 in Baghdad 11 The IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix estimated in of their perceived affiliations to ISIS. suspects, many for months, without arrest warrants and and southern cities in the country, resulting in the death August 2019 that there remained 1.4 million internally court orders, and often without providing a reason for the of 350 protestors between October and December. displaced persons in the country and over 4 million Iraqi individuals and families perceived to have ISIS arrest. Authorities consistently violated the due process Baghdad security forces used live ammunition and returnees (between 2014 and 2019) who continue to affiliations are often refused security clearances which rights of ISIS suspects and other detained people and teargas cartridges against protesters. Authorities face insecurity, struggle to access basic services, and are necessary for obtaining identity cards and other prosecuted children as young as 9 with perceived ISIS detained protesters arbitrarily, releasing some protesters 12 lack livelihood opportunities. According to UNHCR, civil documentation. As a consequence, such families affiliation in some areas. Reports of the common use without charge, whilst others went missing. Male over half of these internally displaced people had been are restricted in their freedom of movement, right to of torture by Iraqi and Kurdistan Regional Government abductees have described being subjected to torture 20 displaced for more than three years. As of August education, right to work, and access to welfare benefits (KRG) forces to extract confessions — including from and ill-treatment whilst being interrogated, including 2019, 300,000 Yazidis lived in displaced camps or and birth and death certificates. Such families are children — were received in 2019. Criminal suspects being beaten, hanged from ceilings, electrocuted, 13 informal settlements in Iraq. Only an estimated also blocked from making claims to the commissions are detained in overcrowded and inhumane conditions. housed or bathed in cold water, and receiving degrading 30-50% of Christians had returned to their communities established to remunerate Iraqis affected by terrorism, Iraq has one of the highest rates of executions in the treatment.18 Security forces also arrested some Iraqis 14 of origin since the fall of ISIS. military errors, and military operations; furthermore, they world; in 2019, death sentences continued to be handed for expressing support for the movement on social are blocked from bringing court cases or challenging down to many individuals convicted of ISIS affiliation, media, and fired at and threatened medical staff treating the seizure of property from local families or security and executions were carried out without official numbers protestors. The government also blocked messaging 11 million people from Iraq forces. Additionally, thousands of children with relatives being published. In 2017, the UN Special Rapporteur apps and access to the internet to stop people from thought to have joined ISIS are prevented from joining on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions detailed 11 have been displaced due to uploading and sharing videos of the protests. Human state schools, including schools located in camps for in a report that extrajudicial and arbitrary killings were wars, oppression, and political Rights Watch has also noted that Iraqi authorities displaced people.11 15 and economic sanctions in being carried out by Iraqi forces. routinely use vaguely-worded laws to charge journalists the last four decades and other individuals who express opinions they find 9 Authorities have failed to provide people in southern Iraq objectionable.19 Moreover, journalists have been with safe drinking water, caused by over 30 years of poor threatened, beaten and killed, sometimes by the Iraqi management of sources and water infrastructure and authorities, over the past decade.19 a lack of adequate regulation of sewage and pollution. Over 118,000 people were hospitalised in Basra in 2018 because of symptoms linked to poor water quality.11 Throughout 2019, security forces clashed with protesters demonstrating against corruption, poor public services, Source: Queensland Health Multicultural Services

– 2 – – 3 – EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS) EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS) Asylum Country Conditions Culture cook and eat all parts of these animals. Pork is not commonly eaten in Iraq, as this is forbidden by Islam.32 In 2019, UNHCR estimated that over 250,000 refugees from Language Naming Conventions Iraq were being hosted in neighbouring countries,20 with most turkey Arabic and Kurdish (including its two dialects, Kurmanji Names commonly indicate a person’s lineage or family people living in Turkey and Jordan. and Sorani) are the two official languages of Iraq, with Turkmen (a Turkish dialect), Syriac (a dialect of Aramaic) origins, and may, for example, include a personal name, father’s personal name, and family name or Turkey and Armenian recognized as official languages in grandfather’s personal name. Family names may indicate In 2019, 142,000 refugees from Iraq were living in Turkey,21 syria areas where native speakers make up a majority of the population.29 a person's tribe, profession, or geographic location, as including Christians, Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, and Yazidis. with the prefix 'Al'.33 Although Turkey is a signatory of the 1951 Refugee Convention, Iraq Religion it does not grant full refugee status to individuals originating from Iraq is both religiously and ethnically diverse, although Gender Equality countries outside of member states of the Council of Europe,22 this diversity has decreased due to political instability, From the 1960s to the 1980s, girls and women in Iraq meaning that the only practical solution for refugees from Iraq jordan sectarian violence and persecution of minorities by experienced greater access to education, healthcare and — who hold the status of ‘conditional refugees’ and whose stay ISIS.30 employment. However, events including the Iran-Iraq war is meant to be temporary — is resettlement to a third country (1980-88), sanctions imposed by the United Nations in by UNHCR. However, conditional refugees face severe delays 1991, the invasion of Iraq in 2003 by U.S.-led forces, an estimated 250,000 refugees from Iraq were The official religion of Iraq, as recognised by the 2005 23 in accessing resettlement opportunities. Moreover, refugees being hosted in neighbouring constitution, is Islam. 95-98% of the population identifies and the rise of ISIS, have meant the position and security countries by 2019 35 have difficulty accessing work, health care and education: these as Muslim, with 64-69% of Muslims identifying as Shia of women have deteriorated, and with these, their 22 rights are at the discretion of the government. Muslims and 29-34% identifying as Sunni Muslims.29 economic role. The rate of female youth unemployment Source: UNHCR 35 1% of the population identifies as Christian (including (27%) is much higher than that of male youth (17%). Generally, refugees from Iraq are granted short-term residence permits once they are in Turkey, and are encouraged Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Assyrian Church of to opt for these even when they apply for international protection.23 Most refugees in Turkey live in urban host the East Christians), whilst the remaining 1–4% of the Iraq’s constitution states that all Iraqis are equal before 29 communities across the country, rather than camps, and often receive some form of humanitarian assistance. population identifies their religion as ‘other’. the law, prohibits discrimination based on sex and also However, this assistance is generally not enough to cover basic needs,24 meaning refugees frequently work to cites Islam as a source of legislation, allowing each 25 The Iraqi constitution guarantees freedom of religion for religious group across the country to govern their own provide for their families. 35 Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, and Sabean-Mandeans, personal status matters. This means that the situation 31 of women depends on the implementation of religious Refugees and temporary protection beneficiaries are allowed to work, although workplaces are subject to regulations but not for atheists or followers of other faiths. law and on the priorities and interpretations of male-led including the fact that there must be at least five Turkish employees for every foreign employee (including conditional According to the penal code, Jewish people may not religious authorities across the country. refugees). Conditional refugees can apply for a work permit from six months after they have applied for international hold jobs in state controlled organisations or join the protection. However, Refugees International found in 2017 that in practice, few refugees from non-European military, and individuals practicing the Baha’i faith face countries access work permits and so end up working in the informal sector, facing high risks of exploitation or 10 years’ of imprisonment. Restrictions — both societal No law in Iraq criminalises domestic violence, and the penal code provides for mitigated sentences for violent abuse.24 and institutional — on freedom of religion and violence against minority religions remain common according to acts committed under ‘honourable motives’ or when an individual’s wife or female relative is caught in the act of Jordan religious leaders and nongovernmental organisations; in adultery or sex outside of marriage. Perpetrators of sexual In 2019, 67,286 refugees from Iraq were living in Jordan.26 During a research mission in 2018, Refugees International some cases, the government is reported to have used 27 antiterrorism laws as an excuse for detaining individuals assault or rape are able to escape prosecution or have concluded that the situation for refugees in Jordan is “bleak and in many ways worsening” as refugees struggle 35 without due process. Religious minority representatives their sentences suppressed if they marry their victim. to make ends meet due to the high cost of living; the fact that food and financial assistance from non-governmental have also reported increased emigration of their organisations has been reduced; and that few refugees have legal employment. The vast majority of refugees in communities due to the harassment and restrictions they Health Considerations Jordan live outside of refugee camps and, since rent is expensive and public transport links are limited, many families face.31 Access to quality medical care has become extremely are pushed into debt. difficult in Iraq, with many hospitals understaffed and in 38 Food disrepair. People with disabilities continue to suffer Employment sectors open to non-Jordanians include agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. In reality, the The most common Iraqi dishes include kebabs (grilled from marginalisation and a lack of access to their basic 39 majority of refugees work in the informal sector, where conditions are often physically demanding and difficult, and meat on a stick); dolma (spiced rice wrapped in vine rights. Moreover, neither medical care nor psychosocial wages are low. Many families therefore send their children to work instead of school. leaves or other vegetables depending on the region of support for survivors of sexual violence are available in Iraq in which dolmas are prepared); biryani (cooked rice Iraq, meaning that most rapes go unreported. Stigma and 28 Women and girls represent almost 50% of the registered refugee population in Jordan, and many women carry the with meat/vegetables, spices and/or beans and nuts); shame also prevent rape survivors from reporting their 27 34 responsibility for providing for their families, despite facing particular challenges when accessing employment. and masgouf (seasoned carp which is barbequed and attacks. grilled).32 Sheep, lamb, chicken, beef, goat and fish are the most commonly eaten meats, and Iraqis commonly

– 4 – – 5 – EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS) EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS) Resettlement Considerations

29 Average Case Size when assisting refugees from Iraq.34 than men (56.2%). Work Experience and recertification or connect them with Caseworker and Interpretation According to statistics on Resettlement practitioners in the The net enrolment ratio in primary Vocational Training someone from the local community Refugees from Iraq may need resettlement cases from UNHCR in U.S. have noted that husbands education (which lasts six years The majority of Iraq’s working age who works in their sector. It can also support from an interpreter who 2019, the largest group of people and fathers may accompany their and is compulsory) was 90.4% in population (59.8%) is engaged in be helpful to discuss the benefits of speaks their language or dialect: to have presented submissions or to wives and children to medical 2011, whilst the net enrolment ratio the services sector, whilst 21.6% working through legal employment Arabic, Kurmanji or Sorani (different have been resettled in a European appointments, since the health of in lower secondary school (which is engaged in the agricultural contracts and highlight the dialects of Kurdish), or Armenian. As 41 country was comprised of women each individual family member is lasts 3 years) was 79.1% in 2013. sector and 18.7% is engaged in disadvantages of working informally. noted above, for refugees from Iraq 28 between the ages of 18–59; the considered to be important to the UNICEF estimates that 3.2 million the industry sector. Resettlement who do not speak English fluently, second largest group was comprised family unit as a whole.34 Practitioners school-aged children in Iraq are out providers have noted that although Same-Sex Relations practitioners should consider gender of men aged between 18–59; should consider gender when of school in 2020, and almost half refugees from Iraq may have formal Same-sex marriage is not recognised when matching an individual with and the third largest group was matching a patient with a medical of all school-aged displaced education, English language skills, under the law in Iraq. LGBTQIA+ an interpreter. Case workers should 37 40 comprised of boys aged 0–17. professional or interpreter. children are not in school. The and professional work experience individuals are not protected build trust with refugees from Iraq by According to data from IOM36 situation is worse for girls, who are including in fields like health, from discrimination in terms of providing consistent information and 43 which was collected through Given the prevalence of chronic under-represented at both levels of education, and engineering, employment or access to housing. regular and reliable scheduling of surveys of migrants from Iraq (who conditions amongst refugees from school education. most refugees with professional Being perceived as LGBTQIA+ in appointments. held different immigration statuses) Iraq, support with management of backgrounds are prevented Iraq places people in danger: they Given that no law in Iraq residing in Europe in 2016, the these conditions can be provided. The education structure in Iraq from being able to practice their are at risk of discrimination, extreme criminalises domestic violence, 42 average age of respondents was 29 Practitioners in the U.S. have is insufficient, particularly in rural professions in asylum countries as violence, torture and murder by family it is recommended that service and the majority of respondents were found it particularly useful to and crisis-affected areas. One their credentials are not recognised. members, community members, providers make clients aware of local male. provide information during Cultural in every two schools in Iraq is religious militants or government laws regarding domestic violence, 40 44 Orientation on lifestyle changes to damaged and needs repairing. Individuals with higher education and officials. U.S. practitioners have and understand what will occur if Physical and Mental Health manage these conditions, such as As a consequence, many schools professional degrees in industries found it useful to connect refugees domestic violence is reported. Many refugees from Iraq experience ensuring a balanced diet and making operate in multiple shifts in order to requiring certification are often eager from Iraq who identify as LGBTQIA+ life threatening and traumatic the most of opportunities for exercise accommodate as many students as to get these credentials recognised with local LGBTQIA+ communities Managing Expectations experiences before fleeing Iraq (including establishing walking possible. Evidence has shown that upon their arrival in the country of or groups. Resettlement practitioners note that and may have spent a significant groups). there are notable differences in the asylum. Resettlement practitioners refugees may have expectations of amount of time in displacement. As pupil success rates at primary level, in the U.S. note that it can be useful Documentation housing, employment and healthcare a consequence, refugees from Iraq Education and Literacy depending on the type of school they to explain the challenges one might Practitioners should be aware in the receiving country that are not have been shown to suffer from Prior to the Gulf War, which ended attend and whether the schools run have in re-entering their chosen that the rapid development of in alignment with the realities of high rates of anxiety, depression in 1991, Iraq had the best education multiple shifts; pass rates for pupils profession and the importance of crises in Iraq has meant that many resettlement. Practitioners should 3 and post-traumatic stress disorder. system in the Middle East.40 In 2018, attending the morning shift is much early employment to refugees from people were forced to flee their clearly and consistently communicate Additionally, chronic conditions however, only 50.1% of the total higher (92%) than those for pupils Iraq prior to departure. Upon arrival homes without their most valuable the realities of resettlement in the 40 including diabetes, hypertension and population over the age of 15 could attending the evening shift (72%). it can be helpful to reiterate this possessions, including their proof of host country beginning prior to the 45 malnutrition are considered to be read and write, and the percentage information and refer these clients identity. refugees’ arrival and continuing after priority health conditions to address was much lower for women (44%) to a career pathway programme to arrival. understand the steps required for

– 6 – – 7 – EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS) EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS) Resources References NOTE:

Practitioners should ensure that interpreters are properly trained. EURITA 1. UNHCR, UNHCR resettlement data, https://rsq.unhcr.org/en/#s9I3 [accessed 3 June 2020] This backgrounder contains has developed a number of resources to support you in this training, 2. Eurostat, Asylum Quarterly Report, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_ historical, political, and cultural including a Trainer’s Manual and Participant Workbook which you can find quarterly_report#Where_do_asylum_applicants_come_from.3F [accessed on 19 September 2020] information, as well as resettlement at ritaresources.org. 3. Queensland Health Multicultural Services. Iraqi Australians, https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_ considerations, intended to file/0022/156361/iraqi2011.pdf [accessed 4 June 2020] support practitioners in facilitating To support U.S. practitioners in working with those affected by conflict, IRC 4. Watson Institute. Iraqi Refugees, https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/refugees/iraqi [accessed 5 the resettlement of refugees developed the IRC Mental Health and Wellness: U.S. Programs. You can June 2020] from Iraq in Europe. While also access this through the RITA website at ritaresources.org. 5. The Borgen Project. Ten Facts About the Iraq War, https://borgenproject.org/ten-facts-about-the-iraq-war/ generalisations regarding the [accessed on 8 June 2020] populations may be reported 6. International Rescue Committee. Iraq, https://www.rescue.org/country/iraq [accessed on 4 June 2020] by practitioners, it is important 7. UNHCR. Iraqi Refugee Crisis Explained, https://www.unrefugees.org/news/iraq-refugee-crisis-explained/ to remember that every individual [accessed on 5 June 2020] is unique and should be treated 8. Counter Extremism Project. ISIS’ Persecution of Religions, https://www.counterextremism.com/content/isiss- as such. persecution-religions [accessed on 8 June 2020] 9. The Guardian. The Isis campaign against Iraq’s Shia Muslims is not politics. It’s genocide, https://www. theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/05/isis-iraq-shia-muslims-jihadis-atrocities [accessed on 29 September 2020] 10. UN News. ISIL’s ‘genocide’ against Yazidis is ongoing, UN rights panel says, calling for international action, https://news.un.org/en/story/2017/08/562772-isils-genocide-against-yazidis-ongoing-un-rights-panel-says- calling [accessed on 8 June 2020] 11. Human Rights Watch. Iraq – Events of 2019, https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/iraq [accessed on 5 June 2020] 12. UNHCR. Iraq, http://reporting.unhcr.org/iraq [accessed on 5 June 2020] 13. Reliefweb. Five years after the genocide, Yazidis share their forgotten stories and demand justice, https:// reliefweb.int/report/iraq/five-years-after-genocide-yazidis-share-their-forgotten-stories-and-demand-justice [accessed on 8 June 2020] 14. United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Iraq, https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/ Iraq.pdf [accessed on 8 June 2020] 15. United Nations Human Rights Office.End of visit statement of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions on her visit to Iraq, https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews. aspx?NewsID=22452&LangID=E [accessed on 29 September 2020] 16. Al Jazeera. Iraq protests: All the latest updates https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/iraq-protests-latest- updates-191004085506824.html [accessed on 5 June 2020] 17. BBC. The Iraq protests explained in 100 and 500 words, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle- east-50595212 [accessed on 5 June 2020] 18. United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. Demonstrationg in Iraq: 3rd update, https://reliefweb.int/sites/ reliefweb.int/files/resources/3rd%20Update%20on%20Demonstrations%20-%20Abductions_23%20May%20 2020.pdf [accessed on 5 June 2020] 19. Human Rights Watch. Iraq’s new government should lift barriers to free speech, https://www.hrw.org/ news/2020/06/05/iraqs-new-government-should-lift-barriers-free-speech [accessed on 8 June 2020] 20. UNHCR. Iraq Refugee Crisis, https://www.unrefugees.org/emergencies/iraq/#:~:text=About%20 the%20Crisis%20in%20Iraq&text=As%20of%202019%2C%20almost%202,are%20hosted%20in%20 neighboring%20countries [accessed on 21 September 2020]

– 8 – – 9 – EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS) EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS) 21. UNHCR. Turkey Fact Sheet – July 2019, https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/71061 [5 June 2020] 41. UNICEF. The Cost and Benefits of Education in Iraq, https://www.unicef.org/iraq/media/251/file/Cost%20 22. Migration Policy Institute. The Evolving Approach to Refugee Protection in Turkey: Assessing the Practical of%20Education%20.pdf [accessed on 8 June 2020] and Political Needs, https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/evolving-approach-refugee-protection-turkey- 42. Cultural Orientation Resource Center. Refugees from Iraq, http://www.culturalorientation.net/learning/ assessing-practical-and-political-needs [accessed 30 September 2020] backgrounders [accessed on 11 June 2020] 23. Asylum Information Database. Country Report: Turkey, https://www.asylumineurope.org/reports/country/turkey 43. Equaldex. LGBT Rights in Iraq, https://www.equaldex.com/region/iraq [accessed on 8 June 2020] [accessed on 5 June 2020] 44. Iraqueer, MADRE & OutRight Action International. Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation 24. Refugee International. I am only looking for my rights – Legal employment still inaccessible for refugees in and Gender Identity in Iraq, https://www.iraqueer.org/uploads/1/2/4/0/124034920/upr_iraq_stakeholder_ Turkey, https://www.refugeesinternational.org/reports/refugeesemploymentinturkey [accessed on 5 June 2020] submission_28_march_2019.pdf [accessed on 29 September 2020] 25. Refugees International. Insecure Future: Deportations and Lack of Legal Work for Refugees in Turkey, 45. Humanitarian Practice Network. Identity Crisis? Documentation for the displaced in Iraq, https://odihpn.org/ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/506c8ea1e4b01d9450dd53f5/t/5d82e33643e3fb135e2a1c magazine/identity-crisis-documentation-for-the-displaced-in-iraq/ [accessed on 29 September 2020] 6d/1568858939191/Turkey+Report+in+English+-+Livelihoods+-+September+2019+-+final.pdf [accessed on 5 June 2020] 26. UNHCR. Jordan Fact Sheet – September 2019, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/71536. pdf [accessed on 5 June 2020] 27. Refugees International. Out of Reach – Legal work still inaccessible to refugees in Jordan, https://static1. squarespace.com/static/506c8ea1e4b01d9450dd53f5/t/5b96f507b8a045e81b3d1c83/1536619784917/ Jordan+Report+2018+-+9.10.2018+-+647+pm.pdf [accessed on 5 June 2020] 28. UNHCR. Registered Persons of Concern Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Jordan – March 2020, https:// data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/74618 [accessed on 5 June 2020] 29. CIA. The World Factbook – Iraq, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/iz.html [accessed on 8 June 2020] 30. United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Iraq, https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/ Iraq.pdf [accessed on 8 June 2020] 31. United States Department of State. Iraq 2018 International Religious Freedom Report, https://www.state.gov/ wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IRAQ-2018-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf [accessed on 8 June 2020] 32. Culture Trip. 10 Traditional Iraqi Dishes You Need to Try, https://theculturetrip.com/middle-east/iraq/articles/10- traditional-iraqi-dishes-you-need-to-try/ [accessed on 13 October 2020]. 33. Financial and Banking Information Infrastructure Committee. A Guide to Names and Naming Practices, https:// www.fbiic.gov/public/2008/nov/Naming_practice_guide_UK_2006.pdf [accessed on 8 June 2020] 34. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Iraqi Refugee Health Profile, https://www.cdc.gov/ immigrantrefugeehealth/pdf/iraqi-refugee-health-profile.pdf [accessed on 8 June 2020] 35. Oxfam. Gender Profile – Iraq, https://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/gender-profile-iraq-a-situation- analysis-on-gender-equality-and-womens-empowerm-620602 [accessed on 11 June 2020] www.eurita.org 36. International Organisation for Migration. Migration Flows from Iraq to Europe, https://displacement.iom.int/ system/tdf/reports/01_IOM%20DTM%20Migration%20Flows%20from%20Iraq%20to%20Europe%20 201602_0.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=739 [accessed on 11 June 2020] 37. UNHCR. Resettlement Data Finder, https://rsq.unhcr.org/en/#Prd5 [accessed 16 September 2020] 38. The Borgen Project. 6 Facts about healthcare in Iraq, https://borgenproject.org/6-facts-about-healthcare-in-iraq/ [accessed on 29 September 2020] 39. Independent. I was lucky I escaped Iraq when I did – to be disabled there is to live a nightmare, https://www. independent.co.uk/voices/iraq-disability-war-corruption-public-transport-un-convention-middle-east-a8666281. html [accessed on 29 September 2020] 40. UNICEF. Education in Iraq, https://www.unicef.org/iraq/what-we-do/education [accessed 8 June 2020]

This publication was funded by the European Union’s Asylum, – 10 – – 11 – Migration and Integration Fund EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS) EURITA CULTURAL BACKGROUNDER (IRAQIS)