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To
our readers,
We are pleased to present you the first issue of Ashraf Monitor, a compilation of news
and commentaries about the developing humanitarian crisis for nearly 3,500
residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq, members and families of Iran's main opposition, the People's Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
Following Tehran’s tremendous pressure on the Iraqi government to take over the
protection of Camp Ashraf, the United States has announced that it is
negotiating with the government over this issue. Many members of Congress and
human rights organizations including Amnesty International are alarmed that the
PMOI members and families would be exposed to a major humanitarian crisis given
Tehran’s significant influence in Iraq and its long-held goal of the eradication
of this group. Ashraf Monitor is
compiled and distributed by the US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR).
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Deciding the fate of the
Mujahedin
By Raymond Tanter
The Washington Times, Sunday, October 5, 2008
When the U.N. mandate authorizing Multi-National Forces-Iraq expires on Dec. 31,
2008, a bilateral agreement between Washington and Baghdad is to take its place.
This accord would include the disposition of 3,500 Iranian oppositionists at
Camp Ashraf, Iraq. They have been protected by Coalition Forces since 2003, but
Tehran has been stepping up pressure on Washington to abandon its protection and
have the Iraqi government take over responsibility for protecting the Iranian
dissidents.
On Sept. 4, 2008, Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general of Multi-National
Forces-Iraq, said the U.S. military has "begun the process of transition of
security to Iraqi Security Forces." He said that Washington received
"assurances" from the Iraqi government that the Iranian dissidents, known as the
Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), "would be protected."
If protection of those dissidents transfers to the Iraqi government, Washington
could be complicit in another Abu Ghraib, a human rights disaster where
detainees under American control were abused.
Read More
Protection of Camp Ashraf
residents
Statement by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Amnesty International (28 August 2008 statement), the European Parliament (4
September 2008 resolution), and the International Federation of Human Rights (8
September) have expressed concern regarding the threats posed to 3,500 Iranian
political refugees in Camp Ashraf in Iraq, who are protected persons under the
Fourth Geneva Convention...
We are deeply concerned that the protection of Ashraf may be transferred from
the U.S.-led Multi-National Force-Iraq to Iraqi forces resulting in greater
pressure on the Iraqi government by the Iranian regime to crack down on or
extradite PMOI members in Ashraf, and allowing the regime to increase its
terrorist attacks on Ashraf. They would face torture and execution if returned
to Iran.
Read More
Protesters fear for Iranian
dissidents in Iraq
The Los Angeles Times, September 9, 2008
Hundreds rally at the White House against U.S. plans to give control
of a dissident camp to Iraq. They believe members of the militant opposition
group Mujahedin Khalq could be sent back to Iran.
WASHINGTON -- Hundreds of people rallied outside the White House on Monday to
protest U.S. plans to give the Iraqi government control of a camp housing
Iranian dissidents, a step they said could lead to a humanitarian disaster. The
demonstrators, who included about 200 Iranian Americans from California, said
the move would put camp residents in danger of being expelled to Iran, where
they could face torture and death.
Read More
French groups calls for PMOI
protection
Middle East Times, September 12, 2008
PARIS, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- A French human-rights group called on U.S. forces in
Iraq to maintain security operations around the enclave of an Iranian dissident
group in Diyala province. The French International Human Rights League, or FIDH,
called on the U.S. military to "commit publicly" to securing the People's
Mujahedin of Iran in their safe haven in Ashraf City or pledge not to forcibly
expel the group to another country where they may face prosecution.
Read More
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About Humanitarian Crisis for
Iranian Dissidents and their Families In Camp Ashraf
Nearly 3,500 members of Iran’s
main opposition, the People’s Mojahedin (PMOI/MEK), residing in Camp Ashraf in
Iraq, are faced with a humanitarian crisis.
Tehran has put the Iraqi
government under tremendous pressure to take over the protection of Camp Ashraf
from the US-led Multinational Force-Iraq. Under current circumstance in
Iraq, such action would be in violation of the 4th Geneva Convention and
International Humanitarian Law. Since 2004, Ashraf residents have been formally
recognized as "Protected Persons" under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Ashraf Residents are expatriates
holding dual nationality or refugee status of various Western countries. Their
families and relatives are greatly worried for their loved ones in Ashraf.
International Humanitarian Law Obligate U.S. to Provide Continued Protection for
Camp Ashraf Residents in Iraq
On July 2, 2004, the United States formally
recognized members of the PMOI in Camp Ashraf as “protected persons” under the
Fourth Geneva Convention.
Both the U.S. and Iraq are parties to all four
1949 Geneva Conventions.
Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention specifies that:
“Protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their
persons, their honour, their family rights, their religious convictions and
practices, and their manners and customs […]”.
Article 45 of the Fourth Geneva Convention specifies that:
“In no circumstances shall a protected person
be transferred to a country where he or she may have reason to fear persecution
for his or her political opinions or religious beliefs."
Under the present circumstances in Iraq, the U.S.
is the only party qualified and capable of ensuring Camp Ashraf residents’
safety and security under the Fourth Geneva Convention. The U.S. forces must
continue to protect Ashraf residents as long as US forces are in Iraq.
About
the U.S. Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents:
The U.S. Committee for Camp Ashraf
Residents (USCCAR) was established in December of 2003 by families and relatives
of residents of Camp Ashraf. The purpose of the
Committee is to ensure the safety and security of those Iranians and others
living in Camp Ashraf. The Committee will defend the proposition that the
protections of the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as of other treaties and
customary international law, must be applied to the Iranians in Iraq. For more
information please visit: www.usccar.org
About
Ashraf Monitor
Ashraf Monitor newsletter is a
compilation of news and commentaries about the developing humanitarian
crisis for nearly 3,500 members of Iran's main opposition, the People's
Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. Ashraf Monitor is compiled and
distributed by the US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR).
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