In Session Resolution
Addressed to the United States concerning the Iraqi Refugee Crisis
The Assembly of Delegates of International PEN, meeting at its 73rd International Congress in Dakar, Senegal, 4–11 July 2007
Noting with profound concern the grave and growing refugee crisis precipitated by the US-led intervention in Iraq and exacerbated by the rise of terrorism and sectarian violence;
Noting in particular the extraordinary number of translators, writers, journalists, academics, artists, and intellectuals targeted for death by terrorists and militias for their efforts to promote a safe and open society in Iraq and forced into internal or external exile as a result;
Deeply disturbed by the inadequate response of the United States to the Iraqi refugee crisis, and especially the reluctance of the United States to process refugees directly and resettle refugees in the United States, even those forced to flee Iraq for their efforts to promote an open society in Iraq;
Calls upon the United States as a matter of greatest urgency to:
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Dramatically increase funding for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and support for neighboring countries and aid agencies to speed international processing and meet the immediate needs of these Iraqi refugees;
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Take concrete and immediate steps to:
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Remove existing barriers to the resettlement of Iraqi translators, writers, journalists, academics, artists, and intellectuals in the United States;
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Create, fund, and implement mechanisms for direct refugee processing both inside Iraq and neighboring countries;
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Identify the alleviation and resolution of the Iraqi refugee crisis as a top policy priority and work directly with the governments of Iraq and its neighbors, the UNHCR, and aid agencies to reverse the alarming exodus, necessitated by treacherous living conditions, of translators, writers, journalists, academics, artists, and intellectuals from Iraq.
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In Session Resolution
Addressed to the government of Iraq concerning the Iraqi Refugee Crisis
The Assembly of Delegates of International PEN, meeting at its 73rd International Congress in Dakar, Senegal, 4–11 July 2007
Noting with profound concern the grave and growing refugee crisis precipitated by the US-led intervention in Iraq and exacerbated by rise of terrorism and sectarian violence;
Noting in particular the extraordinary number of translators, writers, journalists, academics, artists, and intellectuals targeted for death by terrorists and militias for their efforts to promote a safe and open society in Iraq and forced into internal or external exile as a result;
Profoundly concerned about the long-range consequences of this exodus, necessitated by treacherous living conditions, of translators, writers, journalists, academics, artists, and intellectuals for the future of Iraq;
Calls on the government of Iraq to:
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Work with Syria, Jordan, and other countries in the region that are currently hosting and providing services for Iraqi refugees, and support programs to meet the needs of Iraqi professionals including translators, writers, journalists, academics, artists and intellectuals that will allow them to continue to practice their professions in the region.
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Work with all sectors of Iraqi society and with its neighbors to create conditions that will allow translators, writers, journalists, academics, artists, and intellectuals to practice their professions in Iraq.