According to a representative of Human Rights Alliance in Washington, DC, over the last few years the Iraqi government has confiscated the properties of Iraqis residing abroad who have refused to return to Iraqi to perform their military service (2 Oct. 1996). The representative added that while there have been confiscations all over the country, the number of such cases has been greater in oil-rich Kurdish regions such as Kirkuk (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Human Rights Alliance, Washington, DC. 2 October 1996. Telephone interview with representative.

Amnesty International country file (Iraq). 1993-96.

Amnesty International Report. 1994-96.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. 1993-95.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports. 1991-96.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1993-96.

The Middle East [London]. 1994-96.

Middle East International [London]. 1994-96.

News from Middle East Watch. 1991-95.

On-line search of news articles.

Three oral sources consulted did not provide information on the above subject.