In Iraq’s disputed territories, a health services vacuum

(IRIN) – The status of Iraq’s disputed territories was supposed to be resolved by a referendum in 2007. More than five years later, the vote has not taken place. Meanwhile, residents have been caught in between, with neither the central government in Baghdad nor the Kurdish Regional Government in Erbil willing to provide basic services. Those in need of healthcare have few options.

This report online: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=97771

Youth unemployment driving emigration

(IRIN) – A just released national youth survey in Iraq says youth unemployment is running at over 20 percent and many young people are thinking of emigrating.

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Human rights ‘apply to UK troops’

BBC News – A court ruling that UK troops in Iraq were bound by human rights law should pave the way for a public inquiry, lawyers have said.

Judges at the Strasbourg court said soldiers overseas were bound by the European Convention on Human Rights.

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Fresh effort to trace missing persons

(IRIN) – The government has set up a committee to trace thousands of Iraqis missing since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, says an official.

This report online: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=92594

Funding shortfall hits plans for IDPs, returnees

(IRIN) – Iraqi government plans for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees may not be fully implemented this year because of a funding shortfall, says Deputy Minister for Displacement and Migration Azhar Al-Mousawi.

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Http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=92060

Enforced disappearances – “a long-term challenge”

(IRIN) – Asma Al-Haidari, an Amman-based Iraqi human rights analyst and advocate, says the phenomenon of enforced disappearances in Iraq touches the whole population, irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity or religious belief.

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Http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=91622

New government plans to tackle population displacements

IRIN) – Iraq’s new government plans to tackle internal displacement and closely monitor and assist Iraqi refugees abroad, the country’s newly appointed migration and displacement minister said on 3 January.

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Iraqi refugees – interpreting the statistics

(IRIN) – Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis fled the country after sectarian violence broke out following the 2003 war which toppled Saddam Hussein. However, the precise number of refugees is hard to ascertain and fluctuates in line with changing perceptions and the security situation in Iraq.

“It would be nice to have the full picture, but the special circumstances of the Iraqi refugee population means we don’t… although we have a good idea of the refugees registered with us,” said Andrew Harper, head of the UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) Iraq Support Unit in Geneva.

Host governments (largely in the Middle East) at one time estimated that more than 2.5 million Iraqis had fled to their countries. But that statistic is now too high, say independent experts not affiliated with UNHCR. Distinguishing between refugees and other migrants, and deducting the number of those who have returned to Iraq for good can be difficult.

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Christian IDPs find refuge in Kurdish north

(IRIN) – Hundreds of Iraqi Christians are fleeing to the northern semi-autonomous Kurdish region and particularly the town of Ankawa, which has become a safe haven for the country’s Christians, thanks to its special status and privileges granted by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

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Http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=91438

Displaced women still struggle for survival

(IRIN) – Displaced Iraqi female-headed families who have returned home are still experiencing major livelihood challenges, says the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

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Http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=91310

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