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Document #1292920
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
Sources currently available to the DIRB do
not provide information on whether during their military service
draftees with university degrees are given responsibilities
different from those of other draftees. However, the following
sources provide information on the preferential treatment of these
draftees by Iraqi military authorities.
According to the attached ODR-Bulletin
d'Information, the length of military service in Iraq is 24
months but it could be extended to 48 months for less-educated
draftees (Sept. 1990). The sources does not state whether
less-educated draftees are those with no university degree.
The attached BBC report states that after
the Iran-Iraq War, "the Iraqi parliament decided to reduce the
length of military service for university graduates from two years
to 18 months" (BBC Summary 26 Feb. 1994). A Middle East News
Network report states that an Iraqi Revolution Command Council
decree reduced the length of military service for holders of MA and
Ph.D. degrees from two years to four months (4 Oct. 1991.).
Unspecified observers interpreted this move as "freeing highly
qualified people to help in the effort to rebuild the country after
the [Persian] Gulf War" of 1990-91 (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.
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 26
February 1994. "Demobilization of 'Several Thousand' Servicemen
Ordered." (NEXIS)
Middle East News Network. 4 October
1991. "Iraq Slashes Military Service for Graduates." (NEXIS)
ODR-Bulletin d'Information.
September 1990. "Irak." Berne: ODR.
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 26
February 1994. "Demobilization of 'Several Thousand' Servicemen
Ordered." (NEXIS)
Middle East News Network. 4 October
1991. "Iraq Slashes Military Service for Graduates." (NEXIS)
ODR-Bulletin d'Information.
September 1990. "Irak." Berne: ODR.
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