Iraq :Country focus : country of origin information report : May 2024

Table of Contents

• Acknowledgements 4
• Contents 5
• Disclaimer 7
• Glossary and abbreviations 8
• Introduction 10
• Methodology 10
• Defining the terms of reference 10
• Collecting information 10
• Quality control 11
• Sources 11
• Structure and use of the report 11
• Maps 12
• 1. Treatment of selected profiles 13
• 1.1. Individuals perceived as opposing the state and state-affiliated actors 13
• 1.1.1. Members of political opposition parties, political and human rights activists, protesters 14
• Members of political opposition parties 14
• Activists and protesters 15
• Online activists 17
• October 2019 Tishreen movement 18
• 1.1.2. Journalists and media workers 19
• 1.1.3. Individuals with (perceived) affiliation to ISIL 21
• Treatment of family members 24
• Return of persons with perceived affiliation to ISIL 25
• Civil documentation and security clearance 26
• 1.2. Ethnic and religious minorities 28
• 1.2.1. Treatment of ethno-religious minorities 30
• Sunnis 31
• Christians 32
• Yazidis 33
• Other ethnic and religious minorities 33
• 1.3. Women 34
• 1.3.1. Violence against women 37
• Domestic and honour-based violence 37
• Sexual violence 40
• Conflict-related sexual violence 41
• Forced marriage 41
• Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) 42
• 1.3.2. Women without male support 43
• 1.4. Children 44
• 1.4.1. Child recruitment by armed groups 45
• 1.4.2. Children with perceived affiliation to ISIL 45
• 1.4.3. Children without civil documentation 47
• 1.4.4. Child exploitation and child marriage 48
• 1.4.5. Access to education 49
• 1.5. LGBTIQ 49
• 1.6. Individuals perceived as transgressing moral and religious norms 51
• 1.6.1. Individuals selling/consuming alcohol 53
• 1.6.2. Converts and atheists 54
• 1.6.3. Individuals in inter-sect/inter-faith marriages 55
• 2. Key socio-economic indicators for Baghdad and Sulaymaniyah 57
• 2.1. Country overview 57
• 1.1.1. Socio-economic situation 57
• 2.1.2. Entry, residency requirements and access to civil documentation and services 61
• 2.2. Baghdad 65
• 2.2.1. Entry, residency requirements and access to civil documentation and services 65
• 2.2.2. Economy 66
• 2.2.3. Employment 66
• 2.2.4. Poverty 67
• 2.2.5. Food security 68
• 2.2.6. Healthcare 69
• 2.2.7. Education 69
• 2.2.8. Housing and living conditions 69
• 2.2.9. Water and sanitation 71
• 2.3. Sulaymaniyah 72
• 2.3.1. Entry, residency requirements and access to civil documentation and services 72
• Transfer or Issuance of the Housing Card for Iraqis from another KRI governorate 73
• Transfer or Issuance of the Housing Card for Kurds and Yazidis from outside the KRI 73
• Issuance of residency permit for Arab and Turkmen families from outside the KRI 73
• Transfer or issuance of the Housing Card for Arab and Turkmen families outside the KRI 74
• Issuance of residency permit for Arab and Turkmen single men and women 74
• 2.3.2. Economy 74
• 2.3.3. Employment 75
• 2.3.4. Poverty 76
• 2.3.5. Food security 76
• 2.3.6. Healthcare 76
• 2.3.7. Education 77
• 2.3.8. Housing and living conditions 78
• 2.3.9. Water and sanitation 78
• Annex 1: Bibliography 80
• Oral sources, including anonymous sources 80
• Public sources 80
• Annex 2: Terms of Reference 121