​​​​​​​Makhmur Foreign Relations: PDK blockade unjustified

Within the course of 28 years the Makhmur Camp is being harassed by Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Turkish authorities, and more recently by the Iraqi Federal Government.

The camp was created in 1990s by the UN after those living inside after all houses and villages were reduced to ashes by the Turkish policies applied.

In July 2019 PDK imposed a blockade on the camp as the UN commissioner lifted no finger in the matter, rather on the contrary the commissioner office in Iraq blocked the cam's website on social media on 27 December the last after the refugees prevented the camp be fenced by Iraqi forces.

Lately an ultimatum was given to the camp's administration to fence the camp that received much popular discontent. 

Member of the Foreign Relations of the Makhmur(Restem Cudi) Camp Said Gomelik said since 28 years the refugees in the camp are living in very difficult conditions, ' they depend on daily bases incomes, they go to areas under the control of the Iraqi federal government such as Mosul, Baghdad and Basra'.  

Said made this point clear '' this came under a blockade was imposed by PDK authorities. Prior to this refugees used to go to Hewler, but after the blockade they are obliged to go to more distant areas under the federal government, this causes much burdens to refugees''.

'' the PDK authorities refuse access to injuries and sick refugees to the Regions areas to receive treatment, some lost their lives as they were awaiting permission at the checkpoint of the PDK forces, as tens of others were detained, with no sound grounds, even food is being denied access to the camp. All these impinges upon life in the camp in general'', he said. 

Gomelik went on to say we do not say why these measures are being undertaken by authorities of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, there is no justification for all of these, we have never posed any threats to the PDK authorities, and no body did commit any offences that affects the stability of the Region''.

Gomelik said all policies adopted by PDK forces serve just the enemies of the Kurds, the Turkish state. All policies are dictated by the Turkish state that Target the camp from time to another by drones. 

On the bid by the Iraqi Federal government to put a fence around the camp Said says'' we all against these policies, this measures are in line with instructions passed by Turkish state and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, actions of the Iraqi Federal Government are pushed by Turkish pressure''.

Said went on to say after the refugees refused to allow the camp by fenced the UN Refugee Commissioner in Iraq blocked the camp official website on the social media that was a podium for their voices be heard to the public opinion, but on 30 December the blockade was lifted.  The Iraqi government seeks now to confer Iraqi Identity cards to refugees of the camp to no longer have any tenet of the political asylum. When we return home then we would be no longer political asylum seekers. 

Said Gomelik laid stress on the idea that refugees of the Makhmur Camp want to live in peace and security and they have never posed any threats or caused dangers to the Iraqi integrity, calling on all Kurdish people as well the humanitarian associations and the Region to reconsider the camp and render held anew.

l..a

ANHA