They called on all international human rights organizations to take measures to lift the illegal restrictions placed against Ashraf residents.
They called on all international human rights organizations to take measures to lift the illegal restrictions placed against Ashraf residents.
The chair of the Italian Human Rights League, Dr. Alfredo Arpaia, said, “We know that the 3,500 people in Ashraf are under strain. We know about the totalitarian regime in Iran and we know that human lives are of no value for it. That is why I am here and on behalf of our international federation, we support this organization. We requested visas in order to visit Ashraf City, but we have not received a response yet.
He added, “We invite all governments to refrain from solely focusing on economic interests but also pay attention to humanitarian matters. We are obligated to encourage the United Nations and all international human rights organizations to intervene and defend Ashraf’s rights.”
Antonio Stango, chair of the Italian Helsinki Committee and chair of the parliamentary committee of Parliamentarians and Citizens for a Free Iran, who also chaired the conference, pointed to the pressures imposed by Muwaffaq al-Rubaie, the Iraqi National Security Advisor, against Ashraf residents and added, “It has been some time now since we requested visas from the Iraqi embassy in Rome to visit Iraq in order to see Ashraf, but so far we have not received a reply.”
Elisabetta Zamparutti, Italian MP, said, “We are here to discuss matters concerning Ashraf. In Parliament, members questioned the government and I stressed that the Iranian regime is influencing the Iraqi government and has trampled upon the rights of Ashraf residents. We offered to send a parliamentary delegation along with a government representative to visit Ashraf in Iraq. But, visas have not been issued for parliamentarians to travel to Iraq and visit Ashraf.”
Senator Marco Perduca, member of the Human Rights committee at the Italian Senate, said, “In a letter to the US government we asked them to guarantee respect for international law. It is only through respect for individual rights that one can protect the lives of those who reside in Ashraf City.” Senator Perduca added, “I also want Iraq to issue visas for the parliamentary delegation from Italy to visit Ashraf.”
Alessandro Forlani, former MP, also said at the press conference, “We can never ignore the violation of the most basic rights of individuals. We must expose the Iranian regime’s meddling in Iraq and be aware of its human rights violations.”
Carlo Ciccioli, deputy chairman of the health committee and Chair of the parliamentary committee of Parliamentarians and Citizens for a Free Iran, said, “We are here today to express solidarity with the residents of Ashraf. I, along with other parliamentarians, wrote a letter to President Obama and requested explanations about the security of Ashraf residents, and we also condemned the unacceptable actions of Muwaffaq al-Rubaie. Al-Rubaie must ensure Iraq’s security and independence and refuse to implement the Iranian regime’s agenda.”
Prof. Reza Olia, an Iranian artist and member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, expressed solidarity with the victims and relatives of the recent earth quake in Italy and added, “Ashraf is the symbol of resistance. The first reaction to the restrictions on Ashraf would be to go to Ashraf City’s entrance gate and protest against those who are implementing the regime’s policies there.”
Stefano Menicacci, former MP, said: I am here along to express solidarity with the Iranian Resistance. It would be my pleasure to go to Ashraf. We know that many Iranian regime agents have infiltrated the Iraqi government and are imposing pressures on Ashraf. As Mrs. Rajavi has said during her visits to Italy, we must protect the lives of Ashraf residents.”