NCRI – Palestinian Human Rights Foundation declared its full support for the European Parliament resolution on Iranian opposition members in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. The organization called for an end to the siege of camp Ashraf and its residents.
The Palestinian Human Rights Foundation (Monitor) in a statement said on Friday, May 8: “In support of the EP resolution of 24 April 2009, we call on the Iraqi government to officially and in writing announce its respect for the international treaties and conventions.”
“Otherwise the only viable solution is to protect Ashraf by international guarantees based on the RtoP agreement. Since the Iraqi government is not capable of ignoring the Iranian regime’s pressure against Ashraf residents, the United States as the signatory to the protection agreement during Ashraf disarmament must continue to protect them as before,” the human rights organization added.
The Foundation reiterated: “We along with other human rights defenders are extremely concerned about the reports from camp Ashraf which is the residence of some 3,500 members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK)….Since January 1, 2009 the protection of Ashraf was transferred from the American forces to the Iraqis. This has significantly increased the pressure and restrictions on the camp. They followed arrogant remarks by the Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, telling the Iraqi President on 28 February that: “Iraqi government must swiftly act on the bilateral agreement about expelling members of PMOI…” Following that, the Iraqi officials began their assault on Ashraf City and talked about displacing its residents to western and southern deserts which constitutes a violation of international conventions.
The Palestinian Human Rights Foundation continued: “We are concerned about the situation of Ashraf and declare our full support for the European Parliament’s resolution of April 24, 2009 where it specifies the rights of Ashraf residents as protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention."
The resolution states: “The European Parliament calls on the Iraqi government to end the siege of Camp Ashraf and respect the legal status of Ashraf residents as protected persons under the Geneva Conventions and to stay away from any act that would jeopardize their security and safety.“
