An informed source in the Iraqi capital has reported that the Syrian embassy in Baghdad has failed to issue Syrian passports to Syrian citizens living in Iraq, and in particular those identified as forced exiles and have been living in Iraq since the 1980s.

The source reported that at least 25 applications for passports have been made, some since three years ago, among them children and females. These applications have not been processed despite the many requests made and despite the full fees for applications being paid. The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) has copies of a number of these applications, some of whom were filled out in 2008.

Many Syrian citizens have pointed out that the attaché at the Syrian embassy in Baghdad, “Bishr al-Sha’aar” and “Ismail Hussein Ismail” in the Immigration and Passports department are considered to be responsible for not issuing passports.

Syrian forced exiles living in Iraq have suffered from difficult circumstances due to the current state of affairs in Iraq. Despite this, the Syrian embassy was never supportive of its citizens who were in dire need of its support. Some Syrians have been killed, and others remain imprisoned due to their nationality. In addition, tens of families have been forced to leave Iraq without any relevant travel documents. Those who attempted returning to Syria were arrested, and tens of them are currently languishing in Syrian prisons.

SHRC condemns these unlawful measurements emitting from the staff at the Syrian embassy in Baghdad, and calls upon the concerned Syrian Authorities to facilitate the issuing of passports to the Syrian citizens living in Iraq, and to end all factors causing any delay and complexities. SHRC also reminds the authorities that it is the right of every Syrian citizen to a document confirming their nationality and a passport which allows them to travel freely, regardless of their opinions and beliefs.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
18/8/2010