Sources inside Camp Ashraf, home to members of Iranian opposition group the People’s Mojahedin Organization (PMOI/MEK) in Iraqi Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad, said that their 36 members who have been detained last July by Iraqi forces are in critical condition.
Sources inside Camp Ashraf, home to members of Iranian opposition group the People’s Mojahedin Organization (PMOI/MEK) in Iraqi Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad, said that their 36 members who have been detained last July by Iraqi forces are in critical condition.
Mohammad Iqbal of the Camp Ashraf told al-Sharq al-Awsat:“A Judge at Khalis city court has ordered to release them on August 24, but they are not freed yet. Iqbal on behalf of Camp Ashraf residents urged the U.S. Government , the Multi-National Forces- Iraq, United Nation’s Secretary General, the United Nations Security Council and the human rights organization to act quickly to free the 36 hostages taken by Iraqi forces….”
Mr. Iqbal said the 36 have entered Iraq lawfully and their presence in Iraq for the last 23 years has been with legal permissions from the previous Iraqi government. In addition, in 2004 every one of them were designated and recognized as Protected Persons under the fourth Geneva Convention by the American forces and Multi-National Forces-Iraq.
“Taking hostage and illegal detention of Protected Persons are considered war crimes. The Iraqi Prime Minister is responsible for these illegal acts and any harm or injury done to the hostages. Their case can be taken to international courts,” he added.