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In this Issue:
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Iraqi police entering Ashraf, an unlawful and
suppressive act to please Iran regime,
NCRI Press Release,
May 28,
2009
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UK Parliamentary group calls on
US to prevent disaster at Camp Ashraf in Iraq,
NCRI Website,
May 28, 2009
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Iranian exiles call on Iraq to end Camp
Ashraf siege,
NCRI Website,
May 31, 2009
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Cross Atlantic lawyers committee recalls US
obligations toward Camp Ashraf,
NCRI Website, May 28,
2009
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Italy:
Iraqi police intrusion at Camp Ashraf condemned,
NCRI Website, May 31,
2009
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Iran: Factions feud over regime's failed
plots against PMOI, Camp Ashraf,
NCRI Press Release, May 27,
2009
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"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 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention
“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.”
Article 45 of the Fourth Geneva Convention
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Iraqi police entering
Ashraf, an unlawful and suppressive act to please Iran regime
NCRI Press Release
May 28, 2009
Maryam Rajavi called on the US President and the UN
Secretary General to prevent Iraqi police incursion into Ashraf
NCRI - The Iraqi police force suddenly entered Camp Ashraf, home to some 3,400
members of the opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) in
Iraq, this morning pursuant to renewed calls by the Iranian regime to “implement
bilateral agreements.”
This suppressive measure takes place while the Iraqi Army is currently
protecting Camp Ashraf and there was no need for the Iraqi police to enter the
Camp.
In recent days, the clerical regime’s president Ahmadinejad and the Secretary of
the Supreme National Security Council have openly been exerting pressures on the
Iraqi government to suppress the Iranian opposition in Iraq...
It is an extremely dangerous move which can prepare the grounds for a human
catastrophe in Ashraf. This is something that the clerical regime has been
planning for. The unexpected and sudden entry into Ashraf by the Iraqi police
violates the agreement between the Iraqi and the US governments to respect the
rights of Ashraf residents.
In letters to the US President Barack Obama and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
this morning, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance,
reiterated that the Iraqi government has not acknowledged any of the fundamental
rights of Ashraf residents to date. She, therefore, called on them to intervene
immediately to prevent the Iraqi police force from entering into Camp Ashraf
which is a prelude to a humanitarian catastrophe desired by the Iranian regime...
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UK Parliamentary group calls on US to prevent disaster
at Camp Ashraf in Iraq
NCRI Website
May 28, 2009
NCRI - British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom in an urgent letter
called on Mrs. Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State to intervene in order to
prevent a human catastrophe in Camp Ashraf, Iraq.
The Lord Corbett of Castle vale, the committee chair writes: “We were alarmed to
hear that, this morning, Iraqi police forces raided Camp Ashraf where 3,400
members of the Iranian opposition are based. This was an unlawful, suppressive
and arbitrary act carried out at the behest of Iran, which claims to have an
agreement with Iraq to have Ashraf closed and its residents forcibly moved.”
“The Iraqi government is unwilling or unable to honour its international
obligations and written assurances given to the US last December about
respecting the rights of Ashraf residents.
“Iraq has refused to acknowledge the rights of Ashraf residents, and since
February its forces have besieged the camp. The European Parliament on 24 April
adopted a resolution urging Iraq to respect the rights of Ashraf residents in
the framework of the Geneva Conventions, end the siege of the camp, and refrain
from forcibly displacing, deporting, or expelling the residents in violation of
the principle of non-refoulement.
“Today's suppressive measure coincides with Iran's dirty campaign to pressure
Iraq to act against the residents of Ashraf on the eve of the mullahs'
presidential elections. It would seem that to have Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
re-appointed to the presidency, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is increasing
pressure on the opposition to the theocratic regime...
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Iranian exiles call on Iraq
to end Camp Ashraf siege
NCRI Website
May 31, 2009
NCRI - During what has become a global protest by Iranian exiles against a siege
on Ashraf City, Iraq, protestors on Friday staged gatherings in front of Iraqi
embassies in the Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, the US, and in front of
the White House in Washington, to voice their denunciation of the Iraqi police’s
sudden intrusion at Camp Ashraf this week.
Camp Ashraf is home to nearly 3,500 members of the main Iranian opposition, the
People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
Iranian demonstrators fervently condemned the intensification of an ongoing
siege on Ashraf and demanded an end to all the restrictions and illegal actions
dictated by the clerical regime ruling Iran against dissidents in Ashraf. They
also called on the Iraqi government to fully implement a European Parliament
resolution passed on April 24th calling on Iraq to respect Ashraf residents’
rights.
Families of Ashraf residents and Iranian Resistance supporters protesting in
London across from the Iraqi embassy heard the news of the sudden entry of Iraqi
police into Camp Ashraf on their 74th day of protests. The development occurred
in the context of implementing purported Iraqi government bilateral agreements
with the Iranian regime and for the purpose of satisfying the ruling mullahs in
Iran. The demonstrators protested against such precarious measures which lay the
groundwork for the occurrence of a humanitarian catastrophe in Ashraf City, and
urged the Iraqi government to stay loyal to its commitments on respecting the
rights of Ashraf residents, and to prevent similar legal violations from taking
place in the future.
In their slogans and placards, the protestors condemned the illegal actions of
the Iraqi government, demanding the full implementation of the recent European
Parliament resolution...
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Cross Atlantic lawyers committee recalls US obligations
toward Camp Ashraf
NCRI Website
May 28, 2009
“The only option remains is for the US government to ensure international
protection for Camp Ashraf and to take up the responsibility of protection in
accordance with its international commitments and obligations.”
NCRI - The International Committee of Jurists in Defence of Ashraf (ICJDA) which
enjoys the support of over 8,000 lawyers and jurists across Europe and North
America, in letters to Christopher Hill, US ambassador to Iraq and Gen. Ray
Odierno, Commanding General of MNF-I, underlined the urgency to guarantee
protection of Camp Ashraf residents.
Mr. Francois Serres, a prominent international lawyer and the executive director
of the ICJDA wrote:
“We write on behalf of the lawyers for the residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq
-members of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK)- and on
behalf of the International Committee of Jurists in Defence of Ashraf (ICJDA)
which has the backing of 8,500 lawyers and jurists across Europe and North
America.
“Hours ago, we were informed of a sudden entrance of a large number of police
forces into Ashraf. This is a suppressive and unlawful action which prepares the
ground for a humanitarian catastrophe in Ashraf. This measure is a violation of
the Iraqi government's obligation to the US government with regard to respect
for the rights of Ashraf residents and it demands immediate intervention by the
United States in order to return the Iraqi police forces from Ashraf.
“Today's tremendously dangerous action takes place while despite all the
pliability shown by the residents of Ashraf, the Iraqi government has refused to
acknowledge their rights in accordance with the International Humanitarian Law
and the Fourth Geneva Convention which have also been underscored by the
European Parliament in its 24 April resolution...
“Recent developments and particularly today's suppressive measure indicate that
the Iraqi government posses neither the will nor the necessary independence of
action to respect the rights of Ashraf residents and to implement the European
Parliament's resolution which determines the minimal rights of Ashraf residents.
“Therefore, as announced by the International Committee of In Search of Justice
(encompassing 2,000 lawmakers on both sides of the Atlantic), the only option
remains is for the US government to ensure international protection for Ashraf
and to take up the responsibility of protection in accordance with its
international commitments and obligations. This is particularly so as the Ashraf
residents are totally defenceless after they handed over all their weapons to
the US forces and in return the United States undertook their protection.”...
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Iraqi police intrusion at Camp Ashraf condemned
NCRI Website
May 31, 2009
NCRI- In a letter to the US Secretary of State on Friday, 29 May 2009, the
Italian Committee of Parliamentarians and Citizens for a Free Iran condemned the
sudden intrusion of Iraqi police forces at Camp Ashraf.
Camp Ashraf is home to nearly 3,500 members of the main Iranian democratic
opposition, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
In its letter, the committee told Secretary Hillary Clinton, that, “In view of
the fact that the protection of the camp is in the hands of Iraqi forces, the
sudden intrusion of Iraqi police in Ashraf, is viewed as a suppressive action
carried out at the behest of the Iranian regime. This move is in violation of
the Iraqi government’s commitments to the American embassy about respecting
Ashraf residents’ rights.”...
“Last week, the Iranian regime’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and its
Secretary of the Supreme Security Council, Saeed Jalili, met with Mr. Hoshyar
Zibari, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, in Tehran. They urged Mr. Zibari to
implement the bilateral agreements seeking to close down Camp Ashraf. This was
exactly the promise made by [former Iraqi National Security Advisor] Mr.
Muwaffaq al-Rubaie.”
The Italian committee concluded its letter addressed to Mrs. Clinton by saying,
“What we are witnessing now is a direct consequence of the Iranian regime’s
pressure, which can lead to the occurrence of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Therefore, your immediate intervention is imperative.”...
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Iran Factions feud over regime's failed plots
against PMOI, Camp Ashraf
NCRI Press Release
May 26, 2009
In run-up to sham elections, regime’s factions feud over PMOI’s removal
from terrorist list and failure of mullahs’ plots against Ashraf
NCRI - In the run-up to the sham elections, the various factions of the mullahs’
regime have been feuding amongst themselves over the removal of the People’s
Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) from the United Kingdom and European
Union terrorist lists and the failure of the regime’s plots against Camp Ashraf.
Faced with most of the criticism, the regime’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at
a press conference on Monday pathetically tried to play down these defeats.
“This grouplet is dead and has no role in geopolitical equations”, he said...
Mohsen Rezai, former commander of the regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
(IRGC) and a candidate in the sham elections, on May 24 said: “One of
Ahmadinejad’s unforgivable mistakes was to neglect the progress of the PMOI’s
removal from the list of terrorist groups”. He added that this had afflicted
“billions of dollars in damages” to the country. Previously, during the mass
executions in the summer of 1981, Rezai had announced: “More than 90 percent of
the Mojahedin have been eliminated and the rest will soon be destroyed”...
At the conference on Monday, Ahmadinejad admitted to the continuation of the
regime’s criminal and unlawful plots against the residents of Ashraf, saying:
“Iran is in constant communication and negotiation with Iraqi officials and
pursues the handover of the leaders of the Mojahedin”.
Last week, Saeed Jalili, the secretary of the regime’s Supreme National Security
Council, in a meeting with the Iraqi Foreign Minister described the “continued
presence” of the PMOI in Ashraf as “unacceptable” for the regime’s “foundational
security”. Ahmadinejad too repeated Khamenei’s February 28 demand of the Iraqi
government, telling the Iraqi Foreign Minister: “The agreement between the
Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq must be quickly implemented”...
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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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