Baghdad: The head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, engaged in discussions with Toby Harward, the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), focusing on the support for a refugee law and the facilitation of voluntary returns.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the coalition’s media office released a statement highlighting the meeting, which was attended by Bahaa al-Araji, head of the Reconstruction and Development parliamentary bloc. The meeting centered on the Iraqi government’s efforts to draft a law specific to refugees, aiming to strengthen the legal framework that manages their affairs. This initiative is being coordinated with the Ministry of Interior, the Committee for the Draft Refugee Law, and the State Council, aligning with international standards.
The discussion also covered the referral process of the draft law to appropriate authorities. Al-Sudani emphasized that enacting this legislation could help regulate the status of refugees and facilitate their return to their home countries. The meeting also addressed the registration of refugees residing in Iraq and creating necessary conditions for their voluntary return, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. Iraq currently hosts over 300,000 refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly Syrians, with around 82% living in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Al-Sudani expressed appreciation for the technical and legislative efforts of the UNHCR in Iraq, underlining the importance of ongoing coordination with the agency to assist state institutions in managing refugee issues. The dialogue extended to developments in Syria, where Al-Sudani mentioned the potential positive impact of the agreement between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The agreement, which includes the dissolution of the SDF as an independent military organization and the integration of its fighters, is expected to improve conditions for the return of Syrian refugees from Iraq to Syria.
The statement also noted Al-Sudani’s remarks on the UNHCR’s intention to gradually decrease its operations and staff in Iraq, transitioning from emergency response to supporting national institutions. This shift is viewed as a sign of Iraq’s recovery and the increasing capabilities of its institutions. Moreover, Al-Sudani welcomed Barham Ahmed Salih’s appointment as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, recognizing his regional knowledge as a valuable asset for enhancing cooperation on refugee issues and voluntary return.