Iraq: Information on a 1994 law that prohibits the importation of cloth, and the execution of business persons who had prohibited imported cloth in their possession
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 21 October 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRQ40310.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Information on a 1994 law that prohibits the importation of cloth, and the execution of business persons who had prohibited imported cloth in their possession, 21 October 2002, IRQ40310.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4db111.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Information on a 1994 law that prohibits the importation of cloth could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within time constraints.
However, on 6 August 1990, the Security Council of the United Nations adopted Resolution 661 (1990), which "imposed economic sanctions on Iraq, including a full trade embargo barring all imports from and exports to Iraq, excepting only medical supplies, foodstuffs, and other items of humanitarian need, as determined by the Security Council sanctions committee, which was also established by Resolution 661" (UN Jan. 2002). Cloth is included in the list of products that are banned from import by Iraq (AAB 22 Dec. 1997; The Lantern 30 Apr. 1999).
According to Svend Robinson, a member of the Canadian Parliament, "[t]he Iraqis sought to import cloth, which they wanted their thousands of unemployed seamstresses to convert into badly needed hospital bedsheets. They were told they could import only finished sheets, lest the cloth, too, find some military use" (Capital Times 26 Jan. 2000). Svend Robinson was also quoted on this matter in The Orlando Sentinel (27 Jan. 2000).
Information on executions of business persons who were in possession of prohibited imported cloth could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, Amnesty International has reported on incidents of persons sentenced to death for "smuggling" items such as alcohol and car parts (1999; ibid. 1998).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Americans Against Bombing (AAB). 22 December 1997. "Iraq Blockade Item Lists." Amnesty International. 1999. Annual Report 1999. _____. 1998. Annual Report 1998. Capital Times [Madison, Wisconsin]. 26 January 2000. "Baldwin Must Lead on Iraq." (NEXIS)
The Lantern [Columbus, Ohio]. 30 April 1999. "U.N. Sanctions Kill Innocent Iraqi Citizens." (NEXIS)
The Orlando Sentinel. 27 January 2000. Charley Reese. "Try Explaining to an Iraqi Mother Why Her Child is Dead." (NEXIS)
United Nations. Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General. January 2002. "Use of Sanctions Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter: Iraq." Additional Sources Consulted
Foreign Law. Updated every six months.
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Iraq did not respond to a letter requesting information within time constraints.
The Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Iraq did not respond to a letter requesting information within time constraints.
WNC.
Internet sites, including:
BBC. Federation of American Scientists. Find Law. Gulf Law. Heiros Gamos Legal Research Centre. Iraqi News Agency. Legal Information Institute. "World Legal Materials from the Middle East." Oceana Publications Inc. Republic of Iraq. Ministry of Trade. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Country of Origin and Legal Information. Washburn Law School. Worldwide Legal Association.