Canadian MP underlines Ashraf protection at foreign ministers conference

NCRI – At a session for the tenth anniversary of the creation of Community of Democracies in the Polish city of Krakow, David Kilgour, former Canadian minister and Co-Chair of the Canadian Committee of Friends of a Democratic Iran, spoke about the situation in Camp Ashraf, Iraq, where 3,400 members of the Iranian opposition reside, and declaration of support from 3,500 parliamentarians from across the world for the rights and protection of the residents. Mr. Kilgour emphasized the imperative of the UN and an international force assuming the protection of Ashraf.

The session was attended by foreign ministers and parliamentary delegations including the US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Mr. Kilgour called on the foreign ministers and parliamentary delegations at the session to monitor the situation in Ashraf closely until the formation of a new government in Iraq.

The event was held at the well-known Krakow Opera House between July 2 and July 4. In his speech, Mr. Kilgour said, “Camp Ashraf in Iraq is where more than 1,100 women and 2,000 men live as protected refugees under the Fourth Geneva Convention. They are members and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). The PMOI was delisted in all EU countries following seven court rulings indicating that the PMOI cannot be considered a terrorist organization. More than 3,000 parliamentarians from Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and North America have signed statements in support of the rights and protection of Camp Ashraf residents.

Addressing the foreign ministers, Mr. Kilgour added: I would like to ask you all to closely monitor the situation until such time that the next Iraqi government assumes power, which we hope will be stable and independent.

Mr. Kilgour added: In Iran, there is a regime which stones people to death, amputates limbs and carries out other such cruel punishments as executing minors, men and women. The mullahs ruling Iran do not only suppress people domestically, they also seek to export their fundamentalism and terrorism to all over the region.

Mrs. Clinton called Iran a country where the regime has erected walls around it. Mrs. Clinton added that there are certain countries which destroy “the spirit of humanity” and interrogate and kill human rights and democracy advocates.