NCRI - The Iraqi National Dialogue Council, led by Sheikh Khalaf al-Alyan, released a statement on June 2, in which it strongly condemned the police intrusion and siege on Ashraf City, Iraq, home to some 3,500 members of the main Iranian opposition, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Last week the Iraqi police suddenly entered Ashraf City with no justification prompting international protest.

The council also urged ensuring of the rights of Ashraf residents in accordance with a European Parliament resolution to the same effect passed on April 24, 2009.

The Iraqi National Dialogue Council’s statement reads as follows:

We have seen that in a total disregard to previous efforts for settling the issues in a friendly manner and reach agreements with the Ashraf City’s residents to guarantee their rights and comply with international laws and customs, the Iraqi police has intensified its blockade of Ashraf on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

This happens despite calls by the Iraqi National Dialogue Council and some national forces [in Iraq] demanding a fair treatment of Ashraf residents, who are the Iraqi people’s guests and more importantly are designated protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention. It also occurs despite the fact that the PMOI is an opposition organization, which has been removed from the terrorist list. The European Parliament on April 24 urged the Iraqi government to lift the blockade of Camp Ashraf and treat its residents humanely.

We, therefore, once again urge the Iraqi government to acknowledge the Iraqi nation’s demands for respecting our guests and complying with the international community’s calls. We ask the government to use this case in the interest of Iraq and demand the protection of this city, the lifting of its blockade and ending of restrictions and pressures against its residents, especially because they have fully cooperated with forces in charge of the camp’s protection.