Geneva, June 3 (EFE) – Expelling Iranian refugees living in Camp Ashraf in northeastern Iraq for the past thirty years would constitute a violation of international law, according to Steven Schneebaum, Professor of International Law at the John Hopkins University.
"The direct or indirect expulsion of the inhabitants of the Camp Ashraf would violate several international provisions in force since 1950 and incorporated in several conventions," said the lawyer on the sidelines of the 14th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Camp Ashraf is home to 3,500 refugees who oppose the Iranian regime and "are being subjected to a situation of terror, because they live under constant threat of invasion and being driven to a remote location in the desert," added Schneebaum.
The camp was guarded by the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2009 when its control was transferred to Iraqi armed forces.
The Iraqi government has repeatedly threatened to move the camp to the south of the country, but to date no such order has been given.
"The United States has a moral obligation and a legal duty to protect the interests of refugees. Article 45 of the Fourth Geneva Convention clearly states that the occupying power must reassume the protection of the people living in the occupied area if their rights are not observed by the country to which the protection was transferred," recalled the professor, who announced that Washington would have the right to regain control of the camp in order to protect its residents.
Specifically, a group of NGOs, including the Danielle Mitterrand Foundation, France Liberté, and the Movement Against Racism (MRAP), today delivered a statement to the Human Rights Council which discussed the situation in Camp Ashraf.
The statement recalls the obligations of the Iraqi government and calls for an urgent fact-finding mission to be sent to monitor respect for human rights in Ashraf.
"The UN mission in Iraq has a specific mandate to monitor [the situation in] the country. We call for the establishment and allowing a visit by the Rapporteur Against Torture to investigate the crimes committed in Ashraf by Iraqi forces," said Gianfranco Fattorini, Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva of the Movement Against Racism.
On 28 July the Iraqi police raided Camp Ashraf, resulting in clashes that left 11 dead and dozens injured.
Several UN rapporteurs have asked the Iraqi government repeatedly about the alleged claims of unjustified detention, maltreatment and torture. EFE
