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<ul><li>The UK Government recognises the specific risks faced by religious minorities
in Iraq and Syria, including those who have suffered so horrifically at the hands
of Daesh. We are aware of reports that fear of persecution or discrimination in camps
may be deterring some people from using them, and are in close touch with our partners
involved in the management of camps and the delivery of services within them, including
UN agencies. They have clear guidelines, mechanisms and accountability frameworks
in place to prevent discrimination by their own staff or those of their partners.
DFID takes any allegations that these are not being applied effectively very seriously,
and stands ready to follow up specific allegations with the partners concerned.</li></ul><p>
</p><ul><li>The security of the camps and all those living in them is the responsibility
of the appropriate civil authorities (e.g. in Iraq, it lies with the Government of
Iraq) and is monitored by independent humanitarian actors such as UNHCR. UK officials
stand ready to report any specific allegations of persecution or violence against
religious minorities within the camps to those authorities. The Government is concerned
about Daesh infiltration inside camps. In Iraq the Iraqi authorities carry out screening
of those entering camps in order to seek to prevent such infiltration. UN agencies
have set up grievance mechanisms that allow any minority member to anonymously report
abuse, persecution or discrimination; these can also be used to report on suspected
extremist activity.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>DFID’s funding for Iraq is targeted towards
those who are most in need including vulnerable people from minority communities such
as Yazidis and Christians. It is delivered in line with the 2017 Humanitarian Response
Plan (HRP) for the whole of Iraq, which is based on comprehensive needs assessments
carried out by a wide range of partners. The humanitarian principles of neutrality
and impartiality aim to ensure that no one is excluded or discriminated against on
the grounds of race, ethnicity, or religion, that the specific risks facing minorities
are addressed and that assistance reaches those who need it most. In the difficult
environments in Syria and Iraq, where access to vulnerable people is often very challenging
especially as some actors such as Daesh and the Assad regime deliberately prevent
humanitarian access, DFID regularly challenges our partners to demonstrate that they
are doing all they can to meet the needs the most vulnerable people, including those
from religious minorities. We welcome information from all sources to help us to hold
them to account.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>DFID is not aware of scheduled meetings
in 2015 with Christian representatives in Iraq that officials did not attend, but
DFID officials regularly meet with representatives of Iraqi Christian and Yezidi communities.
DFID Ministers have also met representatives of these communities.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>DFID
has received Dr Russell Blacker’s correspondence and has responded suggesting a meeting
is organised with Dr Blacker, Lord Bates and Mr Burt to discuss together.</li></ul>
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