NCRI – On the brink of the new Iraqi parliament’s opening session and formation of a new government, and as US forces prepare to withdraw from Iraq in July and August, the majority of the French parliamentarians have emphasized the US government’s commitments and responsibilities to guarantee the protection of Ashraf residents in Iraq as ‘protected persons’ under the Fourth Geneva Convention. The parliamentarians also insisted on the Iraqi government’s obligations regarding the protection and observance of the rights of the 3,400 residents in Ashraf, who are members of the main Iranian opposition, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
310 members of France’s National Assembly issued a declaration calling on their government to request from the United Nations to assume the responsibility of the protection of Ashraf residents and their rights. Many of the signatories also serve as mayors of various French cities in conjunction with their roles at the Parliament.
The majority of the 577-seat parliament represent all political groups in the Assembly. The members described the invitation of the Iranian Resistance’s President-elect, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, to resist against the religious fascism and to strengthen national solidarity as a foundation for democratic change in Iran. Mrs. Rajavi’s call also rejects the policy of appeasement towards the mullahs as well as foreign military intervention in Iran. The majority of France’s National Assembly also condemned the sham trials and executions of PMOI supporters on charges of ‘moharebeh’ (war against God).
The signatories of the declaration calling for support of Ashraf residents’ rights and protection include 3 deputy speakers, 24 chairmen and vice chairmen, 3 regional council chairmen and 9 provincial council chairmen. The signatories emphasize that the religious dictatorship ruling Iran is illegitimate and strongly call on the European Union to respect the Iranian people’s will to obtain freedom by supporting their uprisings.
The English translation of the text of the June 2010 declaration is as follows:
Supporting Iranian people’s nationwide uprising
Towards preventing further bloodshed
The Iranian people, with their uprising and slogans of ‘Death to Dictator’, ‘Death to [mullahs’ Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei’ and ‘Long Live Freedom,’ have shown that they yearn for an end to the clerical dictatorship. The pioneering role of women and youth is especially inspirational. Although the Iranian regime has resorted to ruthless murders, arbitrary detentions, systematic use of torture, rape and media censorship, this uprising has further deepened and spread.
Hundreds of detainees have been put on trial and prosecuted as ‘mohareb’ (or enemy of the ruling religious regime).
Amnesty International has warned about the sham trials and execution of supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), who have been arrested in recent peaceful demonstrations and charged as ‘moharebs.’
Seeking to have a more open hand for suppressing the uprising inside the country, the Iranian regime seeks to eliminate 3,400 Iranian dissidents residing in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. The Iraqi forces’ deadly raid against this camp in July 2009, provoked by the Iranian regime, left 11 defenseless residents dead and 500 more wounded. The world condemned these crimes.
The Iranian people demand the separation of church and state and seek the establishment of a pluralist republic; an Iran without capital punishment, that is nuclear-free, lives in peace with its neighbors and contributes to global peace.
While rejecting the policy of appeasement towards the mullahs and dismissing foreign military intervention, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the Iranian Resistance’s President-elect, has called on Iranians to resist the religious tyranny and strengthen their national solidarity. This can form the basis for democratic change in Iran.
The time has come for the European Union to strongly take seriously the determination of the Iranian people to obtain freedom. The first step in that direction would be to lend comprehensive support to t people’s uprisings. It must be stressed that the religious dictatorship ruling Iran lacks legitimacy.
The French government, on the basis of its responsibilities, should request the UN to carry out a more active role in supporting the rights of Ashraf residents and assume the responsibility for their protection.
We believe that in implementing Resolution 704 passed by the majority of the US House of Representatives, the United States of America must offer adequate guarantees for the protection of Ashraf residents and call on the Iraqi government to officially recognize the rights of Ashraf residents as ‘protected persons’ under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
