KRG: 2000 IS suspects arrested among the displaced

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on Sunday responded to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticism of the arrest of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) seeking shelter at the Kurdistan Region.

Dindar Zebari, head of the Committee to Evaluate and Respond to International Reports in a statement denied the allegations of unjust treatment, stating that the procedures to screen the IDPs at the check-point are aimed at protecting the lives of IDPs themselves and the people of Kurdistan Region.

In a report released on Sunday, the HRW accuses the KRG of arresting over 900 men, and boys between 2014 and January 2017 in four IDPs camps around Erbil.

HRW urged the Iraqi and KRG authorities to “make efforts to inform family members, either directly or indirectly via local police or camp management, about the location of all detainees.”

HRW claims that the displaced people who have fled the fighting in Mosul towards the Kurdistan Region have been detained by the security forces even after passing through security clearances and screening.

Zebari said that to facilitate such a large number of IDPs in the Kurdistan Region and to protect the Region’s security, and of its people, including the IDPs and refugees themselves, the KRG has taken security measures that include all people residing in the Region. 

The majority of the displaced people are accepted at the Peshmerga frontlines where they first receive initial screening there although the welcome poses a threat to the Peshmerga lives, Zebari added.

Since the beginning of Mosul operation on October 17, 2016, nearly 150,000 people have been displaced more than 100,000 of whom have taken refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

Zebari concluded that so far only at Dibaga Reception Center in Erbil more than 2000 IS suspects have been arrested.