NCRI – Greeting to those who are supporting the Iranian people at the Paris gathering. I’m Congressman Mike Coffman and proud of serving the United States Congress. I have also served the U.S Marines in Iraq
It has been one year since the post-election uprising in Iran, and nearly ten months after Iraqi forces attacked Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf.
Many young people in Iran have stood up for freedom and democracy, and they should know that American people stand with them. Many thought that the opposition in Iran would not be able to stand up to the government’s brutality, but one year later, the movement for freedom and democracy is alive and growing stronger. The same is true for the Iranians in Camp Ashraf who survived violent attacks against them. Iranians in Camp Ashraf asked for help, and in 2004 they signed an agreement with the U.S in which the U.S. promised protection. In 2009, the control of Camp Ashraf was transferred to the government of Iraq, which had promised the U.S. that it would provide security. This did not happen!
Here in the U.S., president Obama has talked about respect for human rights and international law
It is time for the U.S to fully implement what the president has said. I strongly backed a congressional resolution condemning the violence by Iraqi security forces against the residents of Camp Ashraf 224 other members of Congress have signed that resolution.
It is also important for the residents of Camp Ashraf to be recognized by the Iraqi government as political refugees. Without that recognition there is a great risk that the Iranians in Camp Ashraf would be sent back to Iran where they will face imprisonment, torture and possibly execution by the cruel government there. We must stand with Iranians in Camp Ashraf and we must stand with the people of Iran. As they work to bring democracy and freedom to their country, thank you for your commitment to support them and I’m proud to stand with you.
