Leaders of Iraqi tribes in Diyala province stand with PMOI members and welcome them to their homes
NCRI – Mr. Kamal Hamdoon, President of the Iraqi Lawyers’ League with 40,000 members, announced that, "The rights of PMOI members have been recognized based on international conventions and the UN Charter, and we at the Iraqi lawyers’ League are with them to the end."
"International conventions to which Iraq is a signatory supersede Iraqi laws and Iraq cannot adopt laws contrary to international conventions…,” Mr. Hamdoon said in an interview with National Television of Iran (opposition television station). “The Mojahedin were granted political asylum status in the past. No one can strip them of this right without a legitimate legal argument. Recent remarks by some Iraqi officials against the Mojahedin have no legal or religious basis. It is to mollify the mullahs in Iran and in response to their demands. The issue of the Mojahedin (PMOI) is being used by these officials as a diversion and to avoid accountability for the volatile security situation and the explosions in Iraq."
In another statement, 27 Iraqi tribal leaders in Diyala province where the PMOI’s Camp Ashraf is located, attested to "the Mojahedin’s sincere efforts to restore security, peace and democracy and to encourage the political process in Iraq." The tribal leaders added, "PMOI members have enjoyed political refugee status in Iraq for the past two decades. They have lived in peace and brotherhood with the residents of Diyala province and have built much goodwill among the people of this province who have experienced the Mojahedin’s high human values. The doors to our homes are open to the Mojahedin and based on our Islamic and Arab culture, we will defend them against the mullahs’ tyranny wherever necessary."
In their statement, the Iraqi tribal leaders reiterated, "We testify that the Mojahedin have abided by Iraqi laws and have not committed any crimes and have respected our customs and advocated brotherhood amongst us."
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
August 5, 2006
