Tal Tal vid UNCHR:s internationella konferens om Irak, Genéve 18 april 2007
Tobias Billström, Migrationsminister

Tal vid UNHCR:s internationella konferens om Irak

Let me begin by warmly thanking UNHCR for having organized this important conference. The timing could hardly be better. Greater international attention and a concerted international response to the Iraqi displacement situation is now critical.

Mr. High Commissioner,

The protection crisis in Iraq continues to escalate; humanitarian space continues to shrink. Despite political progress and the efforts of the Iraqi authorities to restore law and order, sectarian violence and targeted violations of human rights, particularly in central and southern Iraq, continues to cause significant population movements. The numbers speak for themselves: one out of every eight Iraqi has been forced to leave his or her home.

Great numbers of Iraqis have fled the country, almost as many are today internally displaced refugees within their own country's borders. The humanitarian situation of IDPs in Iraq is very serious indeed and their protection needs are significant. To be sure, the Government of Iraq remains responsible for protecting its citizens, but it also needs support and assistance, given the complexity of the situation. Working together, we must ensure humanitarian access and assistance to IDPs. It incumbs, however, on the Iraqi government to ensure greater respect for the human rights of IDPs, including non-discrimination in the provision of social services.

Sweden remains deeply worried that formerly mixed areas of Iraqa multiethnic country par excellence are now being homogenized. This has happened before in Iraq's history with tragic consequences and the current development in this regard needs to be reversed, not only to stop further displacement but also to create the conditions for people who have fled to return.

We had the privilege of welcoming Foreign Minister Zebari to Sweden recently and it gives me great pleasure to see him here in Geneva today. This sends a strong signal of the Iraqi government's commitment to deal with the displacement crisis. I also specifically welcome the commitments made by Foreign Minister Zebari in this assembly a short while ago.

Mr. High Commissioner,

"Exodus" is a word that should be used with caution. Yet, when one observes the movement of Iraqis toward neighbouring countries, "exodus" remains an apt description.

There are around 100 000 Iraqis living in my own country, Sweden. And before the end of the year we estimate that another 20 000 will have arrived.

I visited Syria and Jordan only a couple of weeks ago and I would like to underline how much Sweden appreciates the generosity and solidarity with which the Syrian and Jordanian governments, as well as others in the region, have offered shelter and refuge to a very large number of Iraqi men, women and children. In most cases, the Iraqis are indeed welcomed as guests and brothers by their neighbours.

We must not, however, forget that there are also Iraqis in neighbouring countries who fear being deported and who are granted little or no access to basic social services. Nor should we ignore that some countries in the region have effectively closed their borders to Iraqi refugees.

Sweden recognizes the strain that the influx of Iraqis puts on social services and infrastructure. This is even more the case since many of Iraq's neigbouring countries already are generous hosts to many other refugees, mainly Palestinians. We also recognize the legitimate security concerns that may be associated with receiving such large numbers of people.

While it is important that countries in the region to which Iraqis turn for refuge continue to respect principles of non-refoulement, of human rights and international protection, it is equally important that the international community offers assistance to these countries. This is a question of burden-sharing and solidarity. We must look for effective mechanisms to achieve this. As with the Palestinians, who receive much assistance from the international community, Sweden would encourage states in the region to also avail themselves of the services that international NGOs can offer to help to relieve some of the pressure caused by the influx of Iraqis.

The Iraqi government obviously also has a responsibility for those Iraqis who have left the country. Bearing in mind that most of them would wish to return home, they should not need to feel abandoned by their own authorities. In addition to international assistance to those countries that host large numbers of Iraqi refugees, Sweden would like to encourage greater cooperation between the Iraqi government and those neighbouring countries that host a majority of Iraqi refugees.

Mr. High Commissoner,

While it is of utmost importance to step up humanitarian action, thus addressing the most acute needs for assistance and protection of displaced Iraqis, a more comprehensive response will ultimately be needed.

Such a response must begin with greater international solidarity vis-à-vis the region, including, where appropriate, financial assistance. A discussion is already under way in the European Union as to what more can be done in this regard. Sweden welcomes the United Nations humanitarian framework for Iraq and looks forward to a more solid inter-agency response in the region. Moreover, Sweden commends the regional process launched in Baghdad, which promises more regional cooperation on the issue of Iraqi displacement.

Needless to say, a permanent and sustainable solution to the present displacement crisis requires stability in Iraq. While resettlement and local integration can be a solution for those most sorely in need of protection - such as the vulnerable Palestinians inside Iraq -the vast majority of Iraqis who have fled must, with time, be allowed to return to their homeland.

Thank you very much for your attention.