The UN refugee agency is seeking to clarify the procedures for Iraqi asylum seekers in Pakistan, in response to recent queries and reports about their long wait for resettlement to a third country. Traditionally, Iraqis who apply for asylum in Pakistan are assessed by UNHCR under the 1951 Convention, relating to the Status of Refugees, and its 1967 Protocol.
In order to be recognised as a refugee, they need to prove they have a well-founded fear of individual persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
In 2006, due to the deteriorating situation in parts of Iraq, UNHCR announced that asylum seekers from Southern and Central Iraq are generally considered to be in need of international protection. In case they do not meet the criteria mentioned above, they should be considered as refugees under UNHCR's mandate by application of the extended refugee definition, owing to a situation of generalised violence in their country of origin.
As a result, Iraqis in Pakistan whose asylum cases were rejected before, now have the right to ask UNHCR to re-open and re-examine their cases under the broader mandate.
If recognised as refugees, they will be given a UNHCR card, and needy individuals can apply for social assistance. However, Iraqis recognised as refugees under the broader mandate do not qualify for resettlement to a third country. Resettlement countries will only accept refugees recognised under the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol.
UNHCR's role in the resettlement process is to submit serious protection cases of recognised refugees to resettlement countries for consideration. Ultimately, it is up to the resettlement countries - which number 16 world-wide - to decide whether or not to accept a submitted case.
Resettlement is one of three durable solutions UNHCR is seeking for some 10 million refugees world-wide. Due to the limited number of places available, resettlement is seen as the last resort when the other two solutions - voluntary repatriation and local integration - are not possible.
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