Iraq: Leading Shiite cleric urges government to adhere to international law on Camp Ashraf residents

NCRI – In a question and answer session at the British Parliament building on December 14, leading Iraqi Shiite clergy Ayad Jamal Al-Din, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Iraqi National Assembly and leader of Ahrar Party urged the Iraqi government to adhere to the international rules and regulations in dealing with the Camp Ashraf residents. He said his party condemns any illegal action by the Iraqi Government in Camp Ashraf.

Following are excerpts from the text of the session:

Question:
Iraqi forces have already attacked and injured the 3,500 occupants of Camp Ashraf. What can the people of Iraq do to prevent this from happening?

Answer:
The Iraqi government must adhere to the international rules and regulations and the occupants of Camp Ashraf should be protected by international law and the Geneva conventions. If the current Iraqi government respects itself, it must treat the people with dignity and respect. If they thought in a pragmatic way they should maintain Camp Ashraf. Iraq has big problems with Iran. Oil, borders and the training of Iraqi forces. Camp Ashraf is a problem. I have asked the Iraqi government to resolve all of issues with Iran in one go. Iraq has room to pressure Iran over Camp Ashraf, so why is it wasting it? Ahrar condemn the illegal action of the Iraqi government in Ashraf camp. The Iraq government knows my stand.

Question:
Do you think positive change is possible in Iraq without positive change in Iran and. do you think Iraq has a role to play in helping with the opposition of Iran?

Answer:
I believe that Iranian people are different to other people in the Middle-East. The Iranian people are, unlike other Arab nations, a free race and are able to achieve positive change in Iran. 30 years ago, the Iranian people succeeded in their revolution against a very strong regime, without tanks or weapons, through demonstrations only. And they are able now to change the regime, if they so wanted. I know this because I lived in Iran for long time. In the event of any external military pressures against Iran then the people would unite behind the current leadership. They are different from Iraqi people. Leave the Iranian people alone they are more able to change their situation. It’s a great nation, they have free people, philosophers and revolutionaries. They do not need anyone else’s help. External interference will only strengthen the Iranian government, military or politics.