PRNewswire
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR) lauds the unanimous adoption of an amendment on the need to prevent the forcible relocation of the residents inside Iraq and facilitate the robust presence of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq in Camp Ashraf, to H.R. 2583, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, FY 2012.
The amendment, introduced by Congressman “Judge” Ted Poe (R-TX), is a major step toward ensuring the safety and security of our loved ones in Camp Ashraf, home to nearly 3,400 members of Iran’s principal opposition movement, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK) and their families.
The Committee applauds Representative Poe for this valiant humanitarian initiative, which will go a long way to defuse the continuing humanitarian crisis in Camp Ashraf and in fulfilling America’s moral and legal responsibility to ensure protection for Ashraf residents.
The amendment makes it “The policy of the United States to urge the Government of Iraq to uphold its commitments to the United States to ensure the continued well-being of those living in Camp Ashraf and prevent their involuntary return to Iran in accordance with the United States Embassy Statement on Transfer of Security Responsibility for Camp Ashraf of December 28, 2008; take all necessary and appropriate steps in accordance with international agreements to support the commitments of the United States to ensure the physical security and protection of Camp Ashraf residents; and take all necessary and appropriate steps to prevent the forcible relocation of Camp Ashraf residents inside Iraq and facilitate the robust presence of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq in Camp Ashraf.”
On July 7, 2011, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Chairman of Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, held a landmark hearing, entitled, “Massacre at Camp Ashraf: Implications for U.S. Policy,” where a survivor of the April 8, 2011 deadly assault by Iraqi forces on Ashraf testified. The California Republican headed a bi-partisan delegation to Iraq in June to visit Camp Ashraf, but was denied permission by the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
SOURCE US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR)