Following is the text of the statement by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on October 2
Amnesty International (28 August 2008 statement), the European Parliament (4 September 2008 resolution), and the International Federation of Human Rights (8 September) have expressed concern regarding the threats posed to 3,500 Iranian political refugees in Camp Ashraf in Iraq, who are protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Relevant international bodies and U.S. officials have confirmed that the principle of non-refoulement and protections under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Law apply to Ashraf residents.
We are deeply concerned that the protection of Ashraf may be transferred from the U.S.-led Multi-National Force-Iraq to Iraqi forces resulting in greater pressure on the Iraqi government by the Iranian regime to crack down on or extradite PMOI members in Ashraf, and allowing the regime to increase its terrorist attacks on Ashraf. They would face torture and execution if returned to Iran.
Transferring protection of Ashraf under the present circumstances violates the principle of non-refoulement, the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Refugee Convention, the Convention Against Torture, IHL and International Law and would result in a humanitarian catastrophe, thus we urge U.S. forces for as long as they remain in Iraq to continue to protect Ashraf residents and uphold their judicial protection under international law.
