Bomb blast in Baghdad kills over 130
A suicide bomb attack outside the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and Provincial Council has left over 130 civilians dead and over 500 injured. The building of the Ministry of Justice was severely damaged when vehicles that had passed through security checks detonated outside it. The attack is said to be worse then the recent bomb blasts of August this year which targeted the Foreign and Finance Ministries. Prime Minister Al-Maliki has blamed insurgent group Al Qaeda and supporters of Saddam Hussein’s former regime for the coordinated attacks and concerns were raised as to the security situation generally, particularly as American Troops prepare to withdraw over the next year. With Parliamentary elections approaching in January of next year, authorities fear an increase in attacks.
25/10/09
UNHCR concerned about forcible returns to Iraq
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed a concern over some European countries decisions to remove Iraqi nationals back to Baghdad. Iraqi persons originating from the region of central Iraq have been targeted for removal contrary to the UNHCR’s concerns about serous human rights violations in the central Governorates. The UNHCR maintain their position that involuntary return to central Iraq should not be administered until the security situation improves. However, despite this advice, certain European countries have already agreed upon readmission for voluntary and forced return with the Iraqi authorities. The UK government also attempted to forcibly remove 44 Iraqi failed asylum seekers earlier this month. However, only 10 of the 44 men were accepted with the remainder returned to the UK where they remain in detention.
24/10/09
Charter flight to Iraq returned to UK with all passengers
According to International Federation of Iraqi Refugees
NCADC state :
"According to reports from people on the plane, the authorities in Baghdad refused to let them get off after landing and the plane had to come back. They are now in Brook House detention centre."
NCADC