Iraqi government begins return of over 700 displaced Yezidis to Shigur (Şengal / Sinjar)

NOHADRA, Kurdistan Region of Iraq / SHIGUR, Iraq — As part of its plan to return all displaced Iraqis to their original areas by 30 July, the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displaced Persons announced the return of more than 700 displaced Yezidis from camps in Nohadra (Duhok), Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), to their original areas in the Shigur (Şengal / Sinjar) district.

Minister of Migration and Displaced Persons Ivan Jabro stated that the displaced voluntarily returned from the Esyan and Mamershan camps in Nohadra to Shigur. She noted that this return is part of the Iraqi government’s steps to prepare for the complete closure of displacement camps.

Jabro added that the return of the families was facilitated in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration, emphasizing that ongoing financial and relief aid will be provided to secure their needs.

On 13 May, Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that plans to close the displacement camps in the KRI would threaten the rights of many residents of Shigur. HRW noted that Shigur is still unsafe and lacks the basic services necessary to ensure the rights of thousands of displaced people who may be forced to return.

There are 23 camps for displaced Iraqis in the KRI, housing approximately 157,000 people, many of whom are from Shigur.