Geneva  - The United Nations Friday said it was concerned that some European states have "begun forcibly returning" Iraqis to the central part of the war-torn country.

"We noted that in view of the serious human rights violations and continuing security incidents throughout Iraq, most predominantly in the central governorates, asylum-seekers from these governorates should be considered to be in need of international protection," Andrej Mahecic, spokesman for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), said in Geneva.

Britain attempted to forcibly return 44 men to Baghdad earlier this month, said UNHCR. Sweden and Denmark have also undertaken forced returns.

This year alone, 32,000 people have fled central Iraq, the agency said. (dpa)