Ever since the Home Office declared northern Iraq a ‘safe’ place to return to, Iraqi Kurds in Burngreave have lived in fear. In October 2005 the Home Office sent out the letter they have dreaded receiving. This letter presents the Iraqi Kurdish community with two ‘choices’: agree to return to northern Iraq or ‘you will be required to leave your accommodation and will not be entitled to any other form of support’.
Kurdish asylum seeker Nawzad spoke for many when he explained: “If I return to Iraq I would face a death sentence. I would be targeted by insurgents and the remnants of Saddam’s security forces”. Some reports from the handful of Iraqi Kurds who – in desperation – have returned voluntarily to northern Iraq confirm Nawzad’s fears. The Home Office’s view that northern Iraq is ‘safe’ is not shared by any other organisation. Even the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Kurdish areas of Iraq (except one where it recommends only ‘essential’ travel). Many Kurds feel that they are being used: that the Government is trying to justify its war on Iraq by claiming that they have made Kurdish northern Iraq a safe place.
Burngreave’s Iraqi Kurdish community have been quick to respond to what they regard as blackmail from the Home Office. After a speech by local Kurdish activist Ari, Sheffield City Council’s full meeting agreed to question the Home Office’s actions and raise the matter with local MPs. More importantly, local Iraqi Kurds are getting organised: a community meeting at Verdon Street attracted 35 people and the Campaign Against the Detention and Deportation of Iraqis (CADDI) continues to organise protests.
by Stuart Crossthwaite