Name of delegate: Sannidhi S Rao
Name of co-delegate: Abhishek M
Country: Republic of Iraq
Committee: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Agenda: “Developing a global action plan by implementing innovative solutions for long-
term refugee settlement.”
Introduction:
According to the 1951 Refugee Convention, A refugee is “someone who is unable or
unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted
for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political
opinion.” Globally, 25.4 million men, women, and children have been identified as refugees
by the end of 2017. Iraq, a country that has experienced enormous challenges as a result of
violence, instability, and displacement, is particularly sensitive to the subject of refugee
settlement.
Past Actions by the UN:
Emergencies such as the Rohingya Crisis, the Rwandan Genocide, the Syrian Civil War, and
a lot more have always been addressed by the UNHCR. In 2018, the UNHCR even approved
resettlement programs such as The Global Compact of Refugees. For Iraq, the refugee agency
has provided emergency relief efforts like protection of refugees, shelter, basic needs, and
education.
Country Policy:
As of April 2023, the UNHCR reports that over 280,000 foreign refugees are still being
hosted in Iraq and that around 1.2 million Iraqis remain internally displaced as a result of the
struggle against ISIS and the continued sectarian conflict, given its historical context. Iraq is
aware of the difficulties in resettling refugees over the long term. Iraq therefore supports a
well-rounded strategy that takes into account both integration plans and safety requirements.
Iraq is keen to work with international organizations to assist refugees, as it recognizes the
potential advantages of integrating refugees into society. Iraq's position reflects a recognition
of its obligations under international law for refugee protection, as well as a determination to
ensure that any action plan established does not undermine national security. Iraq has made
great progress in meeting the needs of refugees and enabling long-term settlement, including:
1) Integrating refugees into national social security programs [cash assistance programs
managed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA)]
2) Including children from refugee families in the public school system [By late 2023,
approximately 49,900 Syrian refugee children were enrolled in public schools across Iraq]
3) Improving refugees' access to civil documentation [UNHCR reported that over 45,000
civil documents were secured for IDPs and vulnerable Iraqis, including refugees.]
4) Encouraging opportunities for business, programs for resettlement, and infrastructural
development. [By 2023, 1,243 refugees were resettled from Iraq through various pathways,
including family reunification efforts.]
Proposed solutions:
Iraq believes that by adhering to international conventions (such as the 1951 Refugee
Convention, Article 3: Non-Discrimination, Article 26: Freedom of movement, Article 31:
Non-Penalization, etc.) and with the necessary support of world nations and the UNHCR,
these solutions can lead to long-term refugee settlement:
1) Improving educational facilities
2) Enhancing Medical Systems
3) Public-Private Collaborations
4) Expanding the number of job opportunities
5) Advancing technologies for integration
6) Fair refugee-sharing mechanisms among member states
7) Comprehensive vetting processes
8) Proper resource allocation
Bibliography:
https://www.unhcr.org/global-trends
https://www.unrefugees.org/emergencies/iraq/
https://mofa.gov.iq/en/
