Kurds address refugees with UNHCR

GENEVA, Switzerland, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Kurdish coordinators with the United Nations met with their counterparts in Geneva Tuesday to discuss repatriation and displacement issues.

Dindar Zebari, the U.N. envoy for the Kurdistan Regional Government, met with top officials with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to discuss coordination between the two bodies on issues pertaining to displaced Iraqis, the KRG said.

For his part, Radhouane Nouicer, UNHCR director of North Africa and the Middle East, expressed his support for Kurdish work on issues stemming from the security situation and the ramifications of activities from the previous regime.

U.N. officials called for an end to the persecution of Faili Kurds, who face accusations and persecution for being Iranian nationals. The Iraqi government, Nouicer said, needs to do more to ensure the Faili population is getting proper identification documents and other assurances to avoid further harassment.

Iraqi refugees should not experience forced repatriation under the guise of national reconciliation, the UNHCR said, adding voluntary measures were more conducive to the development of a state identity.