“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.

“Iraqi police entrance into Ashraf is while the Iranian regime, at the brink of its presidential election, has launched a new battle against the residents of Ashraf and started exerting new pressures upon the Iraqi government in order to expel and extradite them. On one occasion, the regime's President, Ahmadi-Nejad as well as its secretary for the Supreme Council of National Security, Said Jalili, called in their meeting with Iraq's Foreign Minister for "Implementation of the mutual agreements".

“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.”