USCCAR Urges Secretary Clinton to Ensure Iraqi Guarantees for Safety and Security of 400 Iranian Asylum Seekers in Camp Liberty

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Friday, February 17, 2012, as a goodwill gesture, 400 Iranian dissidents residing in Camp Ashraf in Iraq since 1986, many with families and relatives in the United States, began their relocation from Camp Ashraf, their home of 25 years, to Camp Liberty, a former U.S. military base near Baghdad international airport, even though minimum guarantees for their safety and security have not been provided by the Iraqi Government or the United Nations.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has formally recognized the residents of Ashraf as "asylum seekers" and "persons of concern," which entitles them to fundamental protections and security based on humanitarian standards.

Nevertheless, the Iraqi Government, with the tacit approval of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative, Martin Kobler, has relocated our loved ones to Camp Liberty which, contrary to its name, is, by all indications, more like a prison than a transitional facility for "asylum seekers".
The Iraqi-imposed inhumane and humiliating conditions under which 400 residents were inspected and then transferred to Camp Liberty, as well as the atrociously sub-humane living conditions of the camp amply reveal the nefarious intentions of the Iraqi Government.

Equally appalling is the fact that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), which is expected to be playing a humanitarian role, has increasingly acted to accommodate the Iraqi Government in exerting pressure against the residents.

Not surprising, emboldened by the UNAMI chief's repeatedly one-sided actions and positions to the detriment of Ashraf residents, the Iraqi Government has heightened it's blatant and repeated violations of the residents' human rights and the December 25 Memorandum of Understating.

The US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR), representing thousands of Iranian-Americans whose loved-ones reside in Camp Ashraf, urges Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to uphold the United States' long-standing moral and legal obligations to ensure safety and security of the residents of Ashraf, particularly those 400 who are now at the mercy of Iraqi Government in Camp Liberty.

Specifically, Secretary Clinton, in line with her assurances provided on February 15, should ensure that the Iraqi Government removes its draconian restrictions on the 400 Iranian dissidents in Camp Liberty, guarantee the withdrawal of the Iraqi police from inside the camp and the freedom of movement of the residents - as stipulated by the UNHCR, as well as the unhindered access of the residents to their lawyers and their families.

Absent these guarantees, the stage would be set by the Iraqi Government to seriously jeopardize the safety and security of our loved ones in Camp Liberty. USCCAR urges the United States to address the serious concerns regarding this camp, otherwise, the relocation of the rest of Ashraf residents will be rendered moot.

A stellar roster of former senior US officials and a bi-partisan group of members of US Congress have declared their readiness to visit Camp Liberty and confirm its suitability to accommodate the Iranian asylum seekers. Such a visit and unfettered access of journalists to the camp and its residents will help to assuage the widespread anxiety of US families of the residents over their safety. To this end, Secretary Clinton should use her good offices to facilitate such a visit.

Camp Ashraf is home to 3,400 members of Iran's principal opposition movement, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK) and their families, who were recognized by the United States as "Protected Persons" under the Fourth Geneva Convention in 2004.

SOURCE: US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/ashraf/11721-usccar-urges-secretary-clinton-to-ensure-iraqi-guarantees-for-safety-and-security-of-400-iranian-asylum-seekers-in-camp-liberty

Camp Ashraf: Iraqi forces prevent transfer of critically ill residents to hospital

Camp Ashraf- breach of commitments, No. 10

NCRI - Upon the order of the Iraqi committee tasked with suppression of residents of Camp Ashraf, Iraqi forces on Monday prevented the transfer of eight critically ill residents who are in urgent need of surgery and medical treatment to be transferred to the hospital in city of Baqoba.

Iraqi physicians had prescribed the transfer of the patients to the Baquba and Baghdad hospitals for medical treatments, examinations and surgical operations. Four of the patients are in critical condition and any delay in their treatment would endanger their lives.

Since three month ago, Iraqi forces have limited the transfer ill residents to one patient a week. Aslo, since November 1, 201, the Iraqi forces have canceled the medical appointments for 51 patients.

The limitations are enforced as more than 100 residents are suffering fromr kidney, heart, internal, nerve, eye, thyroids, ear, throat and orthopedic diseases and a number of them are in critical condition
The patients have been waiting for few months to receive the prearranged medical treatments in Baquba and Baghdad hospitals, but Iraqi forces have prevented them from receiving the medical services.

Due to the medical siege imposed on Camp Ashraf, during the past year 12 wounded and ill residents have lost their lives.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
January 11, 2012

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/ashraf/11612-camp-ashraf-iraqi-forces-prevent-transfer-of-critically-ill-residents-to-hospital-

Another Absurd Masquerade at Camp Ashraf Entrance Staged by Quds force Terrorists and MOIS Agents

Camp Ashraf military occupation- No. 190

NCRI - On Tuesday 27 December, a number of Quds terrorists and affiliates of the mullahs’ regime ministry of intelligence staged a gathering at the front entrance of Ashraf. The gathering was setup under orders of the Iranian Embassy and in coordination with Ashraf Suppression Committee in Iraq. The individuals had been present at the entrance for 10 days staying in a building complex called Moein. They were transfered to the main entrance by Iraqi forces in groups starting 9 am.

A number of reporters representing media affiliated to the Iranian regime were brought to this stage-managed gathering. Reporters were there to give coverage to this event as gathering of families who want to see their relatives in Ashraf.

Reporters were taking photos and films from the participants, who were agents of the regime and terrorist Qods force, while they were threatening and intimidating the residents with their loudspeakers. The Iranian regime’s media reporters were also seen conducting interviews with the participants in the gathering complaining that they were prevented from seeing their relatives in Ashraf.

On Sunday night 25 December, Quds force terrorists attacked Ashraf with rockets. The rockets landed near buildings, some of which are occupied by women.

Building new fortifications that started last week still continue. To do this the units receive help from 5th Division of Iraqi army engineering and their heavy machinery.

Staging such masquerades and also building fortifications around the camp is part of preparations to attack the defenseless residents at the end of the year.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
December 27, 2011

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/ashraf/11571-another-absurd-masquerade-at-camp-ashraf-entrance-staged-by-quds-force-terrorists-and-mois-agents

McClatchy reports: US verifies our bodies - shot and rammed down but...

They have finally released a picture and a "report" on their viewing of our bodies, almost 40 days after were DEAD!!
This, of course is far too short of what is expected humanly of those who once used to share our homemade bread, food and drinks.. and even our security in camp Ashraf.

I should remind all of those who still have slightest spark of conscience left that "Camp Ashraf" was known between MNFI troops and generals as the "safest haven" in Iraq, where they could feel at home and in an environment of understanding and co-existence. A haven that provided them with kindness and habitual and true humane relation, not based on balance of power but on sheer human values.
For the Ashraf residents, obligation is an honor to be kept and is not for sale
They are those who not far from us , witnessed daily struggle to make Ashraf as it is : an Oasis in a desert! and a safe haven for all including themselves. Ashraf which was the centre of cuktrural communication of ribes together and with Iranian residents. A place of mutual understanding, intelctual disput and dialpgue and workshops to promote agriculture health and socail understanding .

And of course they are those who understand very well that unlike what they seem to propagate out of "good will", any forceful displacement of Ashraf residents is only a paving of a new massacre. We will never be forced to do anything. We still stand for Freedom till a mutual respect and understanding is achieved first. !



After April massacre, U.S. seeks to relocate Iranian militants in Iraq


Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/05/16/114280/after-april-massacre-us-seeks.html#ixzz1MdFHBFcw