Iraq, bombs and the return of aslyum seekers.

In the wake of this week's series of bombs in Iraq that left more one hundred people dead the refugee agency UNHCR has reiterated its deep concern about involuntary returns to Iraq amid the violence.

UNHCR said it is shocked and saddened by the recent bombings and continued violence in Iraq which have left hundreds dead and wounded this week.

"Despite the efforts of the authorities, the security situation remains

precarious. For this reason UNHCR's guidelines on Iraqis (last revised

in April 2009) should continue to be applied and countries need to

refrain from forcibly returning Iraqis originating from the region of

Central Iraq back to those governorates deemed to be unsafe, namely -

Baghdad, Ninewa, Salah al Din, Diyala, Tameem (Kirkuk).

In our guidelines issued last April, we noted that in view of the

serious human rights violations and continuing security incidents

throughout Iraq, most predominantly in the central governorates,

asylum-seekers from these governorates should be considered to be in

need of international protection. UNHCR therefore advises against

involuntary returns to Iraq of persons originating from Central Iraq

until there is a substantial improvement in the security and human

rights situation in the country.

Concerning asylum-seekers from the three northern governorates, as well

as those from the southern governorates and Al Anbar, UNHCR recommends

that their protection needs are assessed on an individual basis.

While the number of security incidents has reduced many groups continue

to face significant threats with UNHCR offices reporting that the

numbers of Iraqi refugees returning are being offset by new arrivals.," UNHCR said.

Thanks for your time. Billy Briggs. www.billybriggs.co.uk