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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 11, 2010
CONTACT: Majid Roshan
PHONE: (202) 640-1947
E-MAIL: info@usccar.org
WASHINGTON - At a Congressional briefing on Thursday 10 June, 2010, several
members of the U.S. House of Representatives emphasized the need for the
continued U.S. protection of Camp Ashraf in Iraq. The bi-partisan call was made
in light of the announcement by the United States military that the U.S. intends
to evacuate Camp Grizzly in Ashraf and turn it over to the Iraqi Security Forces
by July 1st. Many members at the briefing, which coincided with the anniversary
of the uprising in Iran, also called for the removal of Iran's main opposition,
the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), from the State
Department's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).
At the briefing, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign
Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, remarked that
"The world would be better, and of course Iran would be better, if the people of
Iran were able to have a government worthy of their great culture, worthy of
their great history. Until then, the folks at Camp Ashraf are in a difficult
circumstance and it is critically important that the United States monitor that
camp, both today and after July 1st. We cannot allow a human rights catastrophe
to occur in Iraq just because we are in the process of leaving."
Referring to the State Department's FTO list and noting that it is "questionable
to list on that list entities which are not enemies of the United States but are
enemies of the enemies of the United States," the Sherman Oaks lawmaker stated
that "I have difficulty understanding what has the MEK done, anything remotely,
in recent times, that causes the MEK to be on that list. I do know there is no
entity more feared, more hated by the mullahs who run Iran than the MEK, which
is perhaps the finest compliment that could be paid to that organization."
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs
International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight Subcommittee, noting
the "danger right now in Camp Ashraf," stated that "as the United States begins
its withdrawal, we cannot permit that group of people who are enemies to the
mullah regime basically to be turned over to the mullahs. Rep. Rohrabacher,
co-chair of the Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus, stressed that "What's
the overwriting imperative now is for all of us to stand together united and not
let the people of Ashraf or the people of Iran stand alone at anytime against
these mullah dictators who threaten not only the freedom of their own people but
the peace and stability of the region."
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
referring to the courage of "Those brave souls who stood up against the
dictatorial regime, who went to the streets, who went to the rooftops and fell
in battle nonviolently," remarked that "We must honor them with the recognition
that the resistance movement is freedom fighters who seek only the peace."
Noting the impending humanitarian crisis in Camp Ashraf, the legislator from
Texas said "Camp Ashraf will not be forgotten. I will continue to press for the
safety of those in that Camp even as the Iraqi government changes."
Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX), member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on
Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, told the briefing that "We are not just
watching what takes place in Iran, we're watching what takes place in the
country of Iraq, in Camp Ashraf, where other good people, no fault of their own,
find themselves housed in a camp." Judge Poe added that "we demand that they be
safe, that they not be abused, that they not be kidnapped and tortured, and that
they not be taken to other remote places in Iraq or other countries and hidden
out, because the world must protect the dignity, the sanctity, and the safety of
the people in Camp Ashraf."
Representative Lacy Clay (D-MO), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Information
Policy of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee said in his remarks that
"I have constantly spoken out for human rights and against the brutality and
oppression of the current Iranian regime," and concluded his remarks by stating
that "freedom for Iran is not a question of if; it is a question of when."
Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) of the Judiciary Committee, referring to the
suppression of dissidents and families of Camp Ashraf residents in Iran,
remarked that "I'm even more horrified that a group that took the lead to fight
the dictatorship in Iran, PMOI, is still being targeted and designated as a
terrorist group. That is so unjust. And they are still being considered in this
designation despite the fact that the EU and Britain have lifted that
designation." The California lawmaker stressed that "we have to make sure we
protect the people in Camp Ashraf and that we ensure, even with the U.S.
leaving, that those residents are protected. They are people who have stood up
for what is right and we must make sure that their security is protected."
Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) from the Armed Service Committee remarked that
"we are especially outraged when this government has perpetrated these political
executions against your own people. The outrageous killing of even the families
of those at Camp Ashraf is beyond my ability to express. It is a terrible, evil
thing and I want you to know that it does not go unnoticed by many of us here in
this country."
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About Humanitarian Crisis for
Residents of Camp Ashraf
More than 3,400 members of Iran’s
main opposition, the People’s Mojahedin (PMOI/MEK) and their families, among
them nearly 1,000 Muslim women, reside in Camp Ashraf in Iraq. The PMOI
was the source of ground breaking revelation in the United States in 2002 about
Iran’s two until-then secret nuclear sites at Natanz and Arak.
On July 28-29, 2009, Iraqi forces
ordered directly by Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki acting at the behest
of Iran rulers, carried out a violent, unprovoked raid on Camp Ashraf, killing
11 residents, wounding 500, and abducting 36.
The brutal raid on Ashraf was a
blatant violation of the solemn commitment Iraq had given to the United States
that it would provide "humane treatment of the Camp Ashraf residents in
accordance with Iraq’s Constitution, laws, and international obligations."
The assault took place while U.S. service members on the scene were observing
the situation closely. Regrettably they took no action to prevent the
premeditated violence despite direct appeals by Ashraf residents at the outset
and during the attack.
International Humanitarian Law Obligates 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.“
United States had legal and moral
obligations and responsibilities under international humanitarian law to protect
these Iranian exiles.
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 |
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