Makhmur (Mexmûr) Camp, which is about 100 kilometres away from Erbil (Hewlêr) city of the Federated Kurdistan Region and is located in Mosul province, has been under blockade since 10 April. Entry to the camp, where the embargo and pressure exerted by the Iraqi government is increasing day by day, is restricted. 

 

The authorities do not allow any construction materials to enter the camp and do not allow the camp residents to go to other cities to work. The refugee ID cards of the citizens living here have not been renewed for three years on the grounds of “missing documents”. For this reason, citizens cannot travel freely and are stopped at checkpoints. While this situation brings many violations of rights, especially education and health, even the most humanitarian needs are not allowed to be met.

 

Co-Chair of Makhmur People's Assembly Ehmed Şehbaz spoke about the on-going embargo. 

 

Ehmed Şehbaz said that the Iraqi government developed such a policy towards the camp upon Turkey's request. Şehbaz said: “We are a people who migrated from Bakurê (North) Kurdistan 30 years ago. In this 30-year period, we changed many camps and went through hard times. For nearly 27 years we have been living in Makhmur. Our people who were persecuted in Colemêrg (Hakkari) and Şirnex (Şırnak) were forced to migrate. Although we migrated, the policy never ended. Because they impose surrender and submission, but as the people of Makhmur, we have always adopted a patriotic attitude. Because we know that the issue is a question of existence. Iraq has had a constant diplomatic traffic with Hewlêr or Ankara. They want to take away their refugee rights. The right to life is being violated. The people's right to health, education and transport is being prevented.  However, these policies, which are far from humanity, rights and law, will not achieve their goals.” 

 

‘IRAQ VIOLATES LAW’

 

Ehmed Şehbaz pointed out that Iraq violated its laws and stated that they could not benefit from the rights given to refugees in any way. Ehmed Şehbaz said: “Turkey's pressures and policies brought this result. We cannot benefit from the laws that Iraq has organised for refugees. Iraq and Turkey are partners, violating our existing rights. Our demand from the Iraqi government is to implement the laws. Health, education, transport and other rights of the camp should be recognised. Our people are stopped from entering Baghdad and other cities, they are sent back. A person born and raised in the camp cannot benefit from education, health or other rights. Iraq violates its own laws in this way. We have a refugee and political identity. These rights cannot be violated on flimsy grounds.’ 

 

‘WE WILL RESORT TO DEMOCRATIC REACTIONS’

 

He stressed that they will take democratic actions if the Iraqi government continues its anti-democratic policies. Ehmed Şehbaz continued: “It has been 3 years since the applications for ID cards, but they are still not issued. This demand of ours, which we reported to the delegation coming here, is distorted. They are constantly stalling. This is in service to the policy of Turkey. They want to lower the spirituality and values of the camp. However, both Iraq and Turkey know that this camp has always kept its will. It has never compromised its identity. Because we have a history, we have a tradition of resistance. We want the problems here to be solved through dialogue. If the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other institutions and structures do not fulfil their responsibilities and do not develop a solution to the problems of Makhmur, we will have counter reactions and democratic actions. We want to convey our voice to everyone. People cannot build houses because they are not allowed to bring the materials. We will react against this and show our democratic reaction. Our attitude against these wrong policies is clear.” 

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut