§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can confirm that several hundred Iraqi and Iranian nationals have been deported from Turkey to their country of origin since October 1993; that these included a number of refugees recognised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; that some had been accepted for resettlement by third countries, and whether they will ask other member states of the European Union to join in a protest against this violation of established norms and principles of international refugee and human rights law.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have told us that since October 1993 a substantial number of Iraqis have been returned to northern Iraq by the Turkish police, including some who had been accepted for resettlement by third countries. According to UNHCR, a smaller number of Iranian asylum-seekers or refugees under UNHCR mandate in Turkey have also been sent to Iran. We are seeking further background to these reports and are in consultation with UNHCR on what follow-up action is necessary.