11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Sabean-Mandaean community targeted by forced conversions; 23 abducted ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23805]

"In March [2007] Sabean-Mandaean leaders reported that their community was increasingly targeted. In addition to forced conversions and forced wearing of head covering (hijab) by women, they reported the kidnapping of 23 Sabean-Mandaeans, with at least nine held for ransom. In all nine cases, ransom was paid; however, only seven were released. There was no further information on the status of the other two individuals."

Document(s): Open document

08.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Displacement of Sabaean-Mandaeans Since 2003 ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-seekers") [ID 23131]

"Since the fall of the former regime in 2003, the Sabaean-Mandaean community continues to decline due to the generally dire security situation as well as targeted attacks on community members by armed groups. UNAMI HRO reported in October 2006 that the Sabean-Mandaean community decreased from 13,500 persons in 2001 to roughly 4,000 persons in 2006, living in “isolation and fear.” The Society for Threatened People estimated in October 2006 that there are only 1,162 Sabaean-Mandaean families (7,000 to 8,000 persons) left in the country, out of a total of 5,825 before the fall of the former regime in 2003. The International Religious Freedom Report 2006 puts the number at 10,000. UNHCR continues to receive Sabaean-Mandaean asylum-seekers in Syria and Jordan.

Largely without protection on the basis of tribe,320 militia or political party, and perceived as relatively wealthy, Sabaean-Mandaeans are particularly vulnerable to attacks on the basis of perceived threat to the Islamic nature of the state, imputed affiliation with international actors, break-down of law and order and general criminality.322 Unlike other religious communities which are seeking refuge in areas where they constitute the majority, Sabaean-Mandaeans are dispersed in all parts of Iraq (except for the three Northern Governorates of Erbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah) and therefore do not have a majority area in which to seek safety. While many Iraqis have fled to the Region of Kurdistan to seek safety, UNHCR is not aware of Sabaean-Mandaeans having relocated to this region. The Region of Kurdistan has not traditionally been inhabited by Sabaean-Mandaeans, and hence members of this community seeking to relocate to the region may not have a sponsor needed to legally enter and reside there and lack community links in order to gain access to employment, housing and other services. In July 2006, Mokhtar Lamani, the then top official of the Arab League in Iraq, reported that Baghdad’s entire Sabaean-Mandaean population had presented a petition to the KRG to relocate to the Kurdistan Region. At the time of writing, UNHCR was not able to obtain information as to the response of the KRG to this request. UNHCR has received reports that some Sabaean-Mandaean families have found refuge with the Sabaean-Mandaean community in Nassriyah in the Governorate of Thi-Qar."

Document(s): Open document

08.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Current Situation as of 2006 ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-seekers") [ID 23134]

"Since 2003, there have been a number of targeted attacks on Sabaean-Mandaean places of worship (mandi), religious figures, including their family members and other individuals. Most attacks have been reported in Baghdad, Falluja, Al-Suwaira (Wassit Governorate), Basrah, Qalat Saleh (Missan Governorate) and Diyala.

There have been successive attacks on the mandi in Basrah. The first attack was carried out on 28 June 2006 and followed by further attacks on 2 and 22 September 2006. In a letter dated 10 July 2006, Vice-President Tariq Al-Hashimi condemned what he called a “criminal act” and expressed his sympathy with the Sabaean-Mandaean community. UNHCR also received reports that mandi in Baqouba and Qalat Saleh were occupied by armed groups. UNHCR has no evidence that these attacks were investigated by the police.

It has become evident that clerics of all levels are at risk of kidnapping, killing and assaults. Attacks on individuals include harassment and intimidation, killings (often with extreme violence), kidnappings, armed robbery, confiscation of property, forced conversion to Islam as well as rape and forced marriages of Sabaean-Mandaean women with Muslim men, often with a sectarian motive. UNAMI HRO reported that in October 2006, four Sabaean-Mandaeans were killed. Sabean-Mandeans also complain of being discriminated against by their Muslim neighbours. For example, in schools, Muslim children refuse to sit together with Sabaean-Mandaean children.

In Baghdad and Basrah, Sabaean-Mandaeans reportedly received threat letters to leave the area, in particular since sectarian violence escalated after the February 2006 Samarra bombing."

Document(s): Open document

04.2005 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

General information on freedom of religion; situation of Christians, Jews, Mandeans, Yezides and Jehova's Witnesses ("Hintergrundinformation zur Gefährdung von Angehörigen religiöser Minderheiten im Irak") [#31560],  [ID 10245]

Document(s): Open document