The statement published by the Committee of Arab Judges in Support of Human Rights said: “All the evidences point to the fact that the (seven Camp Ashraf) hostages are being held by Iraqi forces in secret prison of the Iraqi prime ministry.”
“Noting that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has declared the residents of Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty as asylum seekers and people of concern protected by international law;
“Noting that the presence of refugees in Camp Ashraf were legal and based on an official agreement with the United Nations and the Iraqi Government; therefore they have responsibility towards the security and safety of the hostages and they should use all their political and legal power to immediately release the hostage and act based on their legal and moral responsibilities.”
The committee said: “We urge the U.S. President Barack Obama, the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, and the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Beecroft to force Nouri al-Maliki to release the hostages as soon as possible.”
“The responsibility for lack of action and silence in this regard lies with the U.S. and UN since they have legal responsibilities.”
“We call on all international human rights organizations particularly the Iraqi and Arab associations to strongly condem the hostage taking by Maliki and use their utmost influence to free the seven Camp Ashraf hostages as soon as possible,” the judges said.