NCRI – Iraq’s vice president has accused prime minister Nouri al-Maliki of the ordering the massacre of 50 anti- government protesters last month.
Tariq al-Hashemi also blamed al-Maliki for the deadly attacks on Iranian dissidents in Camps Ashraf and Liberty.
In a recent speech at Peace and Democracy Conference in Turkey, Mr al-Hashemi said: “Ten years after the invasion, a dreadful government has been established with the widespread corruption of the middle ages, more and deeper social segregation and loss of independence.
“In the state councils elections less than 40 percent of the people participated. The government has lost its reputation among the people and its own members. Not only has Maliki’s government threatened the new democracy but has also endangered national coexistence and even stability in the region.”
He said later in the speech: “In the brutal attack against protesters in al-Hawijah, al-Maliki’s army attacked the civilians in tents, killing 50 and injuring more than 200 innocent people demonstrating peacefully for months.
“This measure will have consequences and it may ignite a public uprising against this sectarian government. The massacre in al-Hawijah was a crime against humanity. They not only killed innocent demonstrators but executed the injured.
“The government of Iraq is completely in the hands of the Iranian regime and obeys its commands. A clear example of this is the massacre of residents in Camp Ashraf – the base for Iranian dissidents in exile, the PMOI (MEK) – carried out two years ago by al-Maliki’s security forces with bulldozers and Humvees that left 36 dead and hundreds injured. As shown on videos, Maliki’s forces recklessly shot the residents and ran over them with the Humvees.
“Maliki then ordered their relocation to camp al-Hurriya, where there was no security or humanitarian living conditions. In February 2013, the residents were attacked again by rockets in their new camp. Legally they are recognized as ‘protected persons’ in the framework of Geneva Convention. However, Maliki has neglected all international calls to provide a secure and safe place for them.”
