“Based on the decision of the European Parliament, which explicitly called on the Iraqi government to end the siege on Ashraf City and recognize the legal status of its residents as ‘protected persons’ under the Geneva Conventions, it is necessary that the Iraqi government recognizes and explicitly complies with this resolution,” the report quoted Mohammad Iqbal, a spokesman for Camp Ashraf residents.
He added: “This is the least expected by Camp Ashraf residents who are living under the siege in the most difficult circumstances. The interviews with the inhabitants of Ashraf by the Iraqi authorities have been completed and the Iraqi government knows very well that all the residents firmly had declared their decision to remain in Ashraf. In order to remove all doubts, the Iraqi government has conducted extensive investigations in Camp Ashraf and those investigations have failed to lead to the discovery of any suspicious activities, including possession of weapons or ammunitions.”
He added that the Iraqi government’s compliance with the EP resolution would be a sign of its independence. Moreover, political positions adopted by the most prominent Iraqi political personalities, lawmakers and tribal leaders in support of the rights of Camp Ashraf residents under international law is a testament to the fact that the one and only party refusing to respect these rights and laws remains to be the Iranian regime alone.
The Jordanian daily added: It should be reminded that in its plenary session in Strasbourg, France, the European Parliament adopted a very significant resolution calling for protection of Camp Ashraf to be guaranteed and any form of displacement of its residents to be avoided in compliance with the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Refugee Convention of 1951. The resolution passed with 284 votes in favor and 42 votes against.