NCRI - In a joint statement, fifteen organizations in defense of human rights and international law from various Arabic countries strongly condemned measures taken by the Iraqi authorities against the residents of Camp Ashraf.

"The organizations strongly condemn and are profoundly concerned about repressive measures taken by the Iraqi authorities against the residents of Camp Ashraf. Located about 60 km north of Baghdad, the camp is home to some 3,500 Iranian refugees, largely members of the Iranian opposition group Mujahedin-e Khalq [PMOI/MEK] and their families," the statement said, noting that “the Iraqi authorities have been increasing pressure on camp residents for more than a year, ultimately aimed at expelling them from Iraq by making their continued presence in the country 'intolerable,' according to one prominent Iraqi security official.”

The organizations called on the Iraqi authorities to immediately end the unjust siege on the camp’s residents and to suspend any measures that may endanger their lives. In particular, the Iraqi authorities are required to abstain from measures that would lead to the expulsion or forced repatriation of camp residents to Iran.

"The Iraqi authorities are also obligated to allow human rights observers to enter Camp Ashraf and assess the humanitarian situation," the statement said.

The signatories of the joint statement are:

1. Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence Studies – Egypt
2. Arabic Network for Human Rights Studies – Egypt
3. Bahrain Center for Human Rights – Bahrain
4. Center for Alternative Development Studies – Egypt
5. Committee for the Respect of Liberties and Human Rights in Tunisia - Tunisia
6. Committees for the Defense of Democracy Freedom and Human Rights – Syria
7. Egyptian Center for Community Participation Enhancement – Egypt
8. Hesham Mubarak Law Center  – Egypt
9. Land Center for Human Rights – Egypt 
10. Nadim Center for the Treatment and Psychological Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence – Egypt
11. Palestinian Human Rights Organization- Lebanon
12. Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression – Syria
13. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies –Egypt
14. The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights – Egypt
15. Kurdish Committee for Human Rights in Syria - Syria