UNHCR condemns deadly Iraqi raid on Palestinian area in Baghdad

GENEVA, March 16 (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency said on Friday it was deeply disturbed by a raid conducted by the Iraqi security forces earlier this week in a Palestinian area of Baghdad that left at least one person dead.

Sixty people were reportedly detained during Wednesday's raid, but most were released and just nine are said to be still in detention. The raid prompted at least 41 other Palestinians to flee the capital and join 850 compatriots who have been stranded at the Iraq-Syria border since last May.

"More are expected to be on their way," UNHCR chief spokesman, Ron Redmond, told reporters in Geneva on Friday. He said police forces and multinational forces had confirmed that the raid took place as part of the Baghdad security plan.

The dead man was a guard at a Baghdad mosque and reportedly suffered at least one gunshot to the head. "UNHCR and other organisations have also received allegations of physical abuse and possibly torture being carried out in detention, an allegation denied by the Iraqi authorities," Redmond said. "One ex-detainee reported he was beaten on his back and suffered a broken hand. He believed that others had been subjected to worse treatment," he added.

The violence reportedly broke out when the Palestinians tried to resist the raid. They said they were frightened following months of being targeted by various groups. Several Palestinians have been kidnapped, arrested and killed. They have often expressed concern about the lack of protection by the Iraqi security forces.

Recently, UNHCR has received reports that the families of several detained Palestinians have been forced to pay thousands of United States dollars to some members of the Iraqi security forces - allegedly for protection from torture and mutilation of their family members while in detention. Higher sums have reportedly been demanded to ensure their release.

The Palestinians who arrived at the border claimed that their houses had been raided by the special forces, their furniture thrown out of their homes and that they were told they had two days to leave their homes. Others claimed they had been detained and maltreated before being released.

"UNHCR is also very much concerned about the safety of NGOs working with the Palestinians. On March 13, one NGO staff dealing with the Palestinian community was abducted in front of his son by unknown men and found dead the next day," Redmond noted.

"UNHCR is working with crucial partners on the ground in Baghdad to get more information on those killed and the detained Palestinians as well as the NGO staff," the spokesman said, adding that at least 186 Palestinians had been confirmed murdered in Baghdad between April 2004 and January this year.

UNHCR believes the number may be significantly higher. Their enclaves in Baghdad have been the target of many militia attacks. Hundreds of Palestinian families have been evicted from their homes with nowhere to go, prevented from seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. There are an estimated 15,000 Palestinian refugees remaining in Baghdad, less than half the number prior to 2003.

UNHCR continues to strongly urge the Iraqi authorities and multinational forces to provide protection to the extent possible to the Palestinian community in Baghdad and urgently appeals to countries in the region and outside to offer temporary relocation of Palestinian refugees from Iraq.

"How much more will have to happen before the international community and the countries in the region respond positively to calls to have Palestinians relocated out of Iraq," said Andrew Harper, head of UNHCR's Iraq Support Unit. "The Palestinians are particularly targeted, not protected and have nowhere to flee to," he added.