Speaking to al-Babeliya TV, Dr. Zafer al-Ani said there has been a link in the past few months between negotiations to form a new government in Iraq and pressures against the residents of Camp Ashraf, who are members of the main Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
“Whenever an agreement on the new government faces an obstacle, pressures against Ashraf residents are increased,” Dr. al-Ani said.
“Everyone knows that Ashraf residents are not only enjoying protections enshrined in the Fourth Geneva Conventions, but that their protection has also been guaranteed by an agreement between the Iraqi government and the US when its control was transferred to the Iraqi government” in January 2009.
Dr. al-Ani added, “Unfortunately, Ashraf residents are prevented from accessing basic and crucial necessities and services like fuel, gas, and medical experts and treatment in Iraqi hospitals even though residents suffering from health problems have no way of being treated.”
“It seems that their objective from these measures is to make life in Ashraf intolerable for the residents,” Dr. al-Ani said, referring to abusive actions by the Iraqi government against the residents.