PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 16/010/2003

UA 111/03 Forcible return/Fear for safety 24 April 2003

JORDAN Around 1,000 asylum seekers

Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of up to 1,000 individuals, including up to 500 women and children of various ages, who are currently being forced by the Jordanian authorities to remain in the “neutral zone” between Iraq and Jordan’s al-Karama border crossing. Significant numbers of asylum seekers have been in the “neutral zone” for at least week.

The 1,000 individuals reportedly includes around 800 people who left the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) administered al-Tash Camp, which is located around 120 kilometres west of Baghdad, in the al-Anbar governorate of Iraq.

Around 60 of those in the “neutral zone” between Iraq and Jordan, many of whom have been recognized as refugees or have another status in a third country, are reportedly affiliated to the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI). This is an armed political group opposed to the current Iranian government which was permitted by the former Iraqi government to operate from its territory. The PMOI, which concluded a cease-fire with US forces on 23 April, has been proscribed by the governments of the European Union and The United States of America as a "terrorist" organization.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Jordan is not a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, but is bound by the principle of non-refoulement. This is a norm of customary international law prohibiting the forced return of any individual to a territory where they would be at risk of grave human rights abuses.

The Jordanian government has prepared for a large-scale influx in connection with the armed conflict in Iraq. Since the beginning of the conflict, however, there have just been sporadic arrivals of Iraqi refugees and asylum-seekers arriving in Jordan. The vast majority of those seeking protection in Jordan have instead been third country nationals residing in Iraq. More than 1000 third country nationals have been admitted to Jordan since 20 March, of which more than 800 have returned to their countries of origin with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Many were waiting for days in dire humanitarian conditions in the "neutral zone" between Iraq and Jordan before being admitted into Jordanian territory. One transit camp for third country nationals and one camp for Iraqi refugees have been set up near the town of Ruweished, around 50 km from the Iraqi border.

It is unclear what the exact reasons why the refugees left al-Tash Camp, which housed mainly Iranian refugees, usually of Kurdish ethnicity. Most of the inhabitants of the camp had been living in there for up to 20 years and a great many of those present in the camp were born there. Around 1000 of a total of 13 000 mainly Iranian refugees in the camp, have left to seek protection in Jordan the past weeks. Around 12 000 individuals reportedly remain in the camp where unsanitary and difficult living conditions are reportedly resulting in the deaths of many children. The UNHCR has however, not been able to visit the camp since the start of hostilities.

According to press reports between 22 and 23 April, around 300individuals were admitted into Jordan.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, French, Arabic or your own language:

- expressing concern for the safety of up to 1,000 individuals, including up to 500 women and children, who remain in the "neutral zone" between Iraq and Jordan's al-Karama border crossing;

- recognizing that Jordan are already hosting a large number of Iraqi refugees;

- urging the Government of Jordan to keep its borders open;

- calling for Iraqis, Iranians and other nationals fleeing Iraq, to be allowed to seek protection in Jordan without discrimination;

- urging the Government of Jordan to cooperate fully with relevant agencies of the international community, notably the UNHCR, in providing protection and assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers from Iraq.

APPEALS TO:

His Majesty King Abdallah bin Hussein

Office of H.M. the King

Royal Palace

Amman

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Telegram: King Abdallah bin Hussein, Amman, Jordan

Fax : + 962 6 462 7421

Email : info@nic.gov.jo

Salutation : Your Majesty

Dr Fayez Tarawneh

Chief of the Royal Court

PO Box 80

Amman

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Telegram: Chief of the Royal Court, Amman, Jordan

Fax: + 962 6 463 1452

Salutation: Dear Dr Tarawneh

Dr Marwan al-Muashir

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PO Box 35217

Amman

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Telegram: Foreign Affairs Minister, Amman, Jordan

Fax: 962 6 464 8825

Email : enquiry@mfa.gov.jo

Salutation : Your Excellency

Quftan al-Majali

Minister of Interior

Ministry of Interior

PO Box 100

Amman

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Telegram: Interior Minister, Amman, Jordan

Fax: + 962 6 560 6908

Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:

Her Majesty Queen Rania

President of the Royal Commission on Human Rights

Office of Her Majesty the Queen,

Royal Palace

Amman

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

and to diplomatic representatives of Jordan accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 5 June 2003.