Iraqi Migration to Europe: IOM Report
The International Organization of Migration released today Iraqi Migration to Europe: IOM Report. The report explores the reasons why Iraqi migrants choose Europe, their hopes and expectations, and motives for returning to their home country.
The qualitative study is based on 14 focus group discussions with 86 Iraqis who migrated to Europe in 2015 and subsequently returned to Iraq. The focus group discussions were held in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) between March and April 2016. All participants returned to Iraq through IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme.
The findings reveal that the main reasons cited for emigration from Iraq were lack of security (general and personal), perceived lack of equality and social justice, and political instability. Economic instability was mentioned across all locations, but was considered secondary to security concerns in Baghdad.
Reasons behind choosing Europe as a destination included perceived security, equality and social justice. The way to Europe was seen as open, which for migrants implied lower risks and costs, and European countries were thought to have favorable immigration policies.
KJ