NCRI – In a video message to a conference on Thursday by MPs and Peers in the British Parliament, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, welcomed their support for members of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in Camp Ashraf, Iraq.
A majority of backbench MPs on Thursday called on the British Government to take urgent measures at the United Nations for the world body to protect some 3,400 PMOI members in Camp Ashraf. The cross-party MPs were backed in their call by more than 150 Peers.
NCRI – In a video message to a conference on Thursday by MPs and Peers in the British Parliament, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, welcomed their support for members of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in Camp Ashraf, Iraq.
A majority of backbench MPs on Thursday called on the British Government to take urgent measures at the United Nations for the world body to protect some 3,400 PMOI members in Camp Ashraf. The cross-party MPs were backed in their call by more than 150 Peers.
Below are excerpts from Maryam Rajavi's message to the conference:
I would like to sincerely thank Lord Corbett and all of you in the British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom for mobilizing both Houses of Parliament in defense of the residents of Ashraf.
The declaration by 400 members of both Houses of Parliament from all parties is of great importance in the international campaign in defense of Ashraf.
This is a strong expression of support for the Iranian people's uprising for freedom which is inspired by the perseverance of Ashraf.
With an admirable sense of responsibility, in virtue of their declaration, 400 distinguished members of UK parliament have stood firm against another lethal attack similar to last July. They have also spoken out against Al-Maliki government's intention to forcibly displace the residents of Ashraf to deserts in southern Iraq.
Reiterating your invaluable solidarity with residents of Ashraf, you have called on the UK government to immediately act in this regard while enlisting the cooperation of the US and the EU. You have particularly emphasized that the United Nations must "assume the protection of Ashraf".
This courage and sense of responsibility derives from a deep understanding by British Parliamentarians of the situation in Iran and the threats posed by religious fascism to the Iranian people, the region and the world. It is also emanating from their belief in the role of Iranian Resistance as the solution to this crisis.
Today, as the uprising has continued, Ashraf has assumed an even greater importance. Increased attacks and conspiracies by Khamenei and his Iraqi allies against Ashraf attest to this fact.
The mullahs consider the destruction of Ashraf as a necessary step for crushing the uprising. Thus, with the help of their proxies in the Iraqi government, they have resorted to every effort to destroy the residents of Ashraf. In their view, the looming departure of US forces has given them a great opportunity to advance their ominous objective.
In line with this policy, in recent weeks, the Ministry of Intelligence and the terrorist Quds Force have stationed their agents, disguised as families, at the gate of Ashraf to wage psychological warfare against the residents and prepare the grounds for another, larger, catastrophe. By chanting the Iranian regime's slogans like "death to the hypocrites" and "hail to Islamic Republic of Iran," they intend to provoke the residents.
Taking responsibility for the protection of the residents of Camp Ashraf is the only way to avert another humanitarian catastrophe. I believe, with the declaration of 400 Members of Parliament in support of Ashraf, you are in a much stronger position to realize this objective. Your initiative and campaign enjoy extensive support in other parliaments. We are specifically calling for the following steps to be taken:
UNAMI and the UN should take more responsibility to ensure the protection of the residents,, prevent the use of violence against them and to end the restrictions on, and the blockade of, Ashraf.
The rights of residents of Ashraf must be recognized in accordance with international law, International Humanitarian Law and the April 24, 2009 European Parliament resolution,
The policies you have been advocating for years have now been clearly proven correct. The world recognizes that you were correct in saying that this regime cannot reform itself and that the third option is the only solution to the Iranian crisis.
Iran is on the brink of major change. The 30-year resistance of the Iranian people against the mullahs' regime is about to achieve its goal. We are almost there. We shall continue with more resolve until Iran is free.
Your efforts in support of the nationwide uprisings and Ashraf are of great importance for the Iranian people. They look at you as symbols of courage and dignity, as those who paid the price of standing with the Iranian people in time of difficulty.
