JORDAN'S INTERIOR MINISTRY EASES UNHCR ACCESS TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000582

SIPDIS

PASS TO NEA/ELA AND PRM/FO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2019
TAGS: PREF EAID PHUM IZ JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN'S INTERIOR MINISTRY EASES UNHCR ACCESS TO
IRAQI DETAINEES

REF: AMMAN 460

Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) The Jordanian Minister of Interior notified UNHCR
before he was replaced in a February 23 cabinet reshuffle
that the GOJ would ease UNHCR access to all Iraqis detained
in Jordan and that the Ministry would order the release of
refugees held for overstaying their visas and for working
without a permit. The GOJ asked UNHCR not to publicize the
new policy, which is signed by outgoing Minister Eid
Al-Fayez. The MOI announcement is an encouraging change from
past practice.


2. (SBU) The text of the Minster's instruction to the head
of the Public Security Directorate, Mazen Al-Qadi (who is
related to the new Minister of Interior),as translated by
UNHCR-Jordan, is quoted as follows:

Excellency, Director of Public Security Directorate

We kindly ask your Excellency to give the following
instruction to the relevant departments: Speed up the access
procedures for UNHCR staff to asylum seekers and refugees
detained at various police stations and the correction and
rehabilitation centers. Work on releasing Iraqi detainees, at
the various police stations, whose detention is based on
violating the residency and labor law if they are not
arrested for any judicial or security reasons. Designate an
officer to act as liaison officer with the refugee
coordinator at the Ministry of Interior to follow up the
cases of asylum seekers and refugees.

Signed Eid Al-Fayez, The Minister of Interior.


3. (C) Comment: This is the most recent in what UNHCR
described as a series of discreet, positive steps taken by
the GOJ to improve the lot of Iraqis in Jordan, including the
easing of restrictions on some forms of legal migration.
UNHCR believes that incoming Minister Nayef Al-Qadi will
honor his predecessor's decree. UNHCR and Post were struck
by the use of the word "refugee" in the letter; the GOJ has
not recognized Iraqis as refugees and refers to them guests.
It is unclear whether this too reflects a change in policy
and merits careful monitoring.


4. (C) Comment continued: Post and UNHCR see improved access
to detainees and the release of those held for overstay and
work violations as long overdue and positive. The release of
those held for labor law violations is official recognition
of the unwritten GOJ policy to tolerate but not approve
Iraqis working in Jordan. Until recently, UNHCR protection
staff were subjected to a long bureaucratic process before
the MOI would permit them to visit MOI detention facilities.
When MOI offices detained refugees, the agencies were not
diligent in reporting the detention to UNHCR. The
designation of a liaison officer will allow UNHCR protection
staff to hold an office accountable to report future
detentions in a timely way. End comment.

Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/
Beecroft