NCRI – In continuation of the global series of demonstrations by Iranians in protest to the dictated measures of the clerical regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and other plots of the Iranian regime, against the residents of Ashraf City in Iraq, on March 23, 2009, freedom-loving Iranians and relatives of members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) residing in Ashraf City, staged protests in front of Iraqi embassies in Stockholm, London, Copenhagen, Washington, the Hague, and Ottawa.
NCRI – In continuation of the global series of demonstrations by Iranians in protest to the dictated measures of the clerical regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and other plots of the Iranian regime, against the residents of Ashraf City in Iraq, on March 23, 2009, freedom-loving Iranians and relatives of members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) residing in Ashraf City, staged protests in front of Iraqi embassies in Stockholm, London, Copenhagen, Washington, the Hague, and Ottawa.
In Stockholm, protestors gathered across from the Iraqi embassy on Monday morning, chanting slogans against the Iraqi National Security Advisor, Muwaffaq al-Rubaie, and his false allegations against Ashraf residents. They demanded the condemnation of his shameful statements. Their slogans included: “Al-Rubaie is a liar”; “Khamenei commits crimes, Muwaffaq al-Rubaie obeys.” Part of the protest was dedicated to the recitation of revelations by the Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran with respect to the false allegations made by Muwaffaq al-Rubaie.
Sympathizers of the Iranian Resistance also organized a gathering in Copenhagen, Denmark, in front of the Iraqi embassy. They carried placards, some of which read: “The Iraqi government must recognize the fundamental rights of Ashraf City residents” and “The Danish government must prevent the implementation of a plot aimed at murdering Ashraf residents.”
Protestors chanted: “Courageous residents of Ashraf, you are the hope of the people of Iran”; “Ashraf residents, we support you”; and “Protection of Ashraf City must be guaranteed.” Participants at the gathering also chanted slogans in condemnation of both the pressures imposed by the clerical dictatorship as well as statements made by Muwaffaq al-Rubaie against PMOI members at Ashraf, and highlighted the imperative of guaranteeing the rights of Ashraf residents in accordance with international laws and obligations.
The protestors said: We condemn criminal measures against Ashraf residents, and ask the US government to immediately intervene with respect to this humanitarian issue and once again accept the responsibility to protect Ashraf, as was the case before January 2009.
In Britain, PMOI sympathizers from Manchester read out a statement condemning the illegal measures and al-Rubaie’s utter fabrications which emanate in their entirety from Khamenei’s orders, and announced that: We will continue our protests to completely secure the protection of Ashraf; We want the protective situation of Ashraf to return to what it was before January 2009 with the American forces resuming the responsibility to protect it.
Also in London, one of Ashraf residents’ relatives told the residents: On behalf of all the families, I want to say that Muwaffaq al-Rubaie wants to implement the malevolent intentions of the mullahs’ regime through lies and fabrications; But, he must realize that the international community as well as each and every one of us whose relatives are in Ashraf, will never allow the mullahs’ evil aims to be implemented.
In the Netherlands, PMOI supporters and Ashraf residents’ relatives carried out their protest gathering for a fifth day in front of the Iraqi embassy in the Hague. Participants denounced al-Rubaie’s lies and demanded an end to the implementation of the inhuman pressures of the clerical regime against Ashraf residents. Ms. Salehyar, a mother of a martyr and Ashraf residents, said: Ashraf residents have stood in their place, and we will never back down from supporting them.
With regards to al-Rubaie’s shameful assertions and lies, another Ashraf family member reminded that 12,000 independent Iraqi jurists have announced that they are ready to testify in any court of law in support of Ashraf residents.
In Germany, Iranians gathered in front of the Iraqi embassy in Berlin and demanded the condemnation of imposition of pressures and lifting of constraints against Ashraf City. Participants carried placards saying, “The Iraqi government must recognize the fundamental rights of Ashraf City residents” and “The German government must prevent the implementation of a plot aimed at murdering Ashraf residents.”
Iranians and families supporting the PMOI in the US also held a protest gathering during the days marking the Iranian New Year in front of the White House and also the Iraqi embassy in Washington, demanding an end to the Iranian regime’s plots and also the imposition of pressures dictated by the clerical regime’s Supreme Leader against Ashraf City.
During the demonstration across from the White House, a representative from the Association of Resistance Supporters in Colorado read out a statement in support of Ashraf residents, saying: We are seriously worried about the security and protection of Ashraf and its residents, and view Muwaffaq al-Rubaie responsible for any crime against Ashraf City residents. The carrying out of constraints and inhuman measures against Ashraf City in recent days has made it clear that Iraqi forces are unable to protect Ashraf, and so we request that the status of protection of Ashraf City be reverted back to the situation prior to January 2009, which means US forces should assume the responsibility to protect Ashraf.
A representative from the Association of Resistance Supporters in Massachusetts also said at the gathering: The UN and the US and Iraqi governments must guarantee Ashraf residents’ rights. This would result from the condemnation and prevention of Muwaffaq al-Rubaie’s actions. A new chapter has begun, which underlies support for the Iranian people and their legitimate resistance, and not the appeasement of the mullahs. The mullahs do not represent the Iranian people, but are rather their oppressors.
Iranians also held a protest rally in front of the Iraqi embassy in Washington demanding the lifting of restrictions and recognition of the rights of Ashraf residents. Resistance supporters and Ashraf residents’ family members chanted slogans, including: Courageous residents of Ashraf, we support you”, and “Al-Rubaie’s actions constitute crimes against humanity.”
