Current Research
Iraqi Migration in Jordan
Samia Qumri
MA International Affairs from the Lebanese American University in Beirut,
Jordanian independent researcher on Iraqi issues.
The Political Ramifications of Forced Migration: The Case
of Iraqi Migrants in Jordan
Over the past two decades, the Arab region has witnessed several episodes of forced migration as a consequence of wars and conflicts. Significantly, this phenomenon has created challenges in both the host and sending countries. Iraq is one country that stands as an example of how consecutive wars, beginning with the Iran-Iraq war, then the first Gulf War in 1990 and finally the US-led war in 2003, caused millions to flee their home country.
The crisis of Iraqi forced migration and the wave of refugees across neighboring countries are reaching a threatening level. More than a million Iraqis have fled into bordering countries, as well as dispersed all over the world. Most countries will provide assistance and protection under such circumstances, but it is a significant burden to the host countries and even to the humanitarian organizations involved. Migration is a multifaceted and complex global issue, which today touches every country in the world. The challenges posed by the scale of migrant waves and to access entrance into other countries require close attention. Their harsh condition calls for immediate action from the international community, especially donor states, to extend the needed and urgent aid, and share the burden of the countries that are hosting these large masses on their territory.
Here lies the necessity of this thesis. Iraqi forced migration in Jordan is the case study of this work. Despite the waves of migration that the country has witnessed starting with Palestinian refugees in 1948, it has been able to host and welcome a large number of fleeing people. Since the first wave of forced migration during the Iran-Iraq war, Iraqi forced migration has been a 'focal issue' in Jordan. The country hosts the largest number of Iraqis and the overwhelming majority live as asylum seekers or refugees; in this regard Jordan is an interesting case in point. This paper aims to highlight this pressing issue that has not been given much attention in the Middle East or internationally until very recently. Beyond the drama of Iraqi forced migrants, forced migration in the Middle East is not much acknowledged, apart from Palestinian refugees and their different waves of migration since 1948, including their 1967 displacement and their ongoing flow due to Israeli actions against the Palestinian people.
To date, there is little research targeting Iraqi migration, especially comparing the involuntary migration prompted by the Gulf Wars in 1991 and 2003 US-invasion and their aftermaths. In this regard, Iraqi forced migrants have been left in a void, and it is particularly important -morally and academically- to explore this particular group. In this context, the research question around which this paper revolves is: How has Jordan dealt with and responded to the challenges of Iraqi forced migration?
Reflecting on this, I deemed it necessary to raise additional questions stemming from the main research question and to address them in my study: What have been the Iraqi forced migrants’ livelihood structures in Jordan? What are the main challenges posed by this phenomenon, especially on the local society? How has the international community shared (or not shared) the responsibility for taking care of these migrants? And how has forced migration affected Jordan's policies? The research questions reaffirm the need to focus more attention on the case of Iraqi forced migration in order to provide the urgent help and protection for those who are most affected by this phenomenon resulting from the tumultuous events back in Iraq.
Nevertheless, there is tension between finding ways to safeguard a country's internal security (in this case, Jordan) and the right of foreigners to seek asylum and gain protection (here, Iraqis). Thus, there is a pressing need to have a joint approach among policy makers, the international community, scholars and western states to relieve pressures on host countries and to share the responsibility of dealing with different migratory waves. Parallel to this, this work reflects on the socio-economic profile and the legal standing of the Iraqi community in Jordan, and the social implications on Jordanian society due to their presence, given the political situation Jordan is facing especially after the Amman bombings on November 9, 2005.
Due to the tightened security situation in Jordan, and the sensitivity of the issue, finding facts and other information about the Iraqis in Jordan was challenging. A significant part of the goal of this thesis was to gather data to create a baseline for future research and analysis. For example, estimates of the size of the Iraqi population in Jordan vary. The official figures given by the Jordanian government range from 300,000 to 500,000; meanwhile, international organizations and NGOs place the number closer to one million Iraqis legally and illegally residing in the Kingdom. According to international law, it is the responsibility of the host country to open its borders and give access to people in need of protection and fleeing persecution and violence back home. Yet, some countries who face large migratory waves have limited capacities and their own socio-economic structure does not allow for hosting more people. If the host country’s capacity and resources are insufficient to offer assistance, it is the responsibility of the international community.
In Jordan, due to many geographical, social, economic, political, and other factors, in addition to the country’s meager resources, the Iraqi population has had limited access to available resources and services, especially those who keep a low profile and hide away from the public eye. Jordan is not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the UNHCR assigns the later the role of providing humanitarian assistance and protection to non-Palestinian refugees, since Palestinians are under the mandate of UNRWA. Jordan’s limited capacity to accept and host more people on its territory is a main reason why the country has not acceded to the refugee conventions, since over 60% of its population is of Palestinian descent and Palestinians are defined as refugees in Jordanian law. Others would argue, however, that the Palestinian issue is irrelevant and does not obstruct Jordan from signing onto comprehensive refugee treaties.
Through this work I have come to believe that Jordan has adopted semi-protectionist policies towards the Iraqi migrants which have in turn affected its policies at the regional and global levels, including complying with international agreements. This study highlights the significant impact attributed to the Iraqi community on the Jordanian socio-economic structure, particularly on the country’s water and energy sectors, since Jordan imports around 98% of its energy needs and is on the list of the ten water poorest countries in the world. Obviously, there is a need to decrease this impact because the extra spending on daily needs burdens the country. On the other hand, statistics show that an increase of 7% in 2005 on the economic sector, three-fourths of which is estimated to stem from Iraqi investment. This is a positive impact since the Jordanian government is happy that economic growth is increasing and that this growth offsets in part its foreign debt, which is approximately US$ 7 billion, according to official sources.
The issue of forced migration is complex, and how host countries are affected by this phenomenon and respond to it by adjusting their policies is not an easy task for any government to approach alone. Through the years, Jordan has remained a haven for Iraqi forced migrants. In sum, Jordan enjoys a stable climate, strong leadership, and generally is warm and hospitable to its visitors. In addition, Jordan’s location next to Iraq has meant that many Iraqis have had to go into Jordan in order to move on to someplace else or choose to remain in the Kingdom. The Jordanian government’s desire to control the impact of Iraqi migrants on economic, social and political relations in Jordan has led to a number of tensions. Jordanians attitudes towards Iraqis have increasingly shifted since 2003 from sympathy to dissatisfaction as a result of local, social and economic changes, particularly with regard to house prices and a rising cost of living. Forced migration from Iraq has presented new tensions for a Jordanian government also concerned with its stature within regional and international politics. UNHCR, as an international organization, makes sure that these cases are not forgotten and are responded to with respect and commitment. But such solutions will not be found and people’s needs addressed by humanitarian acts alone. It is the role of the international community, western states and supra-national bodies such as the European Union, to step in and voice some support along with real political will to work together to tackle the root causes of the problem and respond immediately and humanely to end the suffering of the migrants and refugees. Over the years Jordan has reiterated its support for the Arab cause. This has been stressed and reiterated continuously by His Majesty King Abdullah II: the purpose of Jordan’s diplomatic maneuvers is to protect its domestic society, strengthen national unity and create a stronger and more capable Jordan.
Permanent link to this entry (permalink)
- Origin CERMAM
- http://www.cermam.org/en/logs/research/iraqi_migration_in_jordan/
- Publié le 28 September 2007