Members of the European Parliament, Mr. Chris Davies from UK and Mrs. Anne Van Lancker from Belgium, wrote in separate letters to the Iraqi president expressing their profound concern over one clause in the draft constitution that, in their opinion, contradicted previsions of international instruments on political refugees and asylum rights.

They referred to the third clause of Article 21, which states: "Political asylum shall not be granted to those accused of committing international or terror crimes or to anyone who has caused Iraq harm".

The wording of the clause is such that it could leave the door open for manipulation against legitimate political refugees and asylum seekers and the Iranian regime will surely misuse this clause to put pressure on its main opposition, the MEPs wrote.

As friends of the Iraqi people, they urged the president that the aforementioned clause to be revised in conformity with provisions of international covenants.

“Such changes” they emphasized, “would preclude misinterpretation of the new constitution by the Iranian regime.”