NCRI – On Monday, December 29, 2008, families of members of the main Iranian opposition, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), residing in Ashraf City, Iraq, joined by sympathizers of the Iranian Resistance, marked the 126th day of their sit-in at the National Square in Geneva in front of the European headquarters of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees office. After nearly six months of persistence and determination to secure guarantees of respect for the rights and protection of Ashraf residents, the demonstrators finally came out victorious in this momentous humanitarian and patriotic campaign.
NCRI – On Monday, December 29, 2008, families of members of the main Iranian opposition, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), residing in Ashraf City, Iraq, joined by sympathizers of the Iranian Resistance, marked the 126th day of their sit-in at the National Square in Geneva in front of the European headquarters of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees office. After nearly six months of persistence and determination to secure guarantees of respect for the rights and protection of Ashraf residents, the demonstrators finally came out victorious in this momentous humanitarian and patriotic campaign.
The Geneva demonstrators extended their gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of thousands of parliamentarians, legal experts, human rights advocates, and leading political figures such as Dr. Alejo Vidal Quadras, the European Parliament’s Vice President, Lord Slynn, former judge at the European Court of Justice and a member of the British House of Lords, Professor Eric David of the Free University in Brussels, Lord Corbett, Chairman of the Iran Freedom parliamentary committee in Britain, along with all of his colleagues in both houses of Parliament, as well as the Friends of a Free Iran parliamentary committee at the European Parliament and Free Iran parliamentary groups in various European countries.
Professor Marc Henzelin, a leading Swiss legal expert and legal representative of the residents of Ashraf City, cheered the victory and added: You grained a victory through your continued determination and persistent presence here both in the summer heat and the winter cold. Ashraf resembles a thorn in the mullahs’ eyes. You gave Ashraf a global voice and exposure. Your presence both in Geneva and in Washington prompted questions addressed to responsible officials on this matter, and, thanks to your steadfastness, victory was finally achieved. Today, the US government affirmed its responsibility and stated that Ashraf residents will not only be protected by the Iraqi forces but that the US will also have a specific responsibility to protect them. This victory was the result of your stand here.
