British lawmakers have condemned a threat by Iraq to extradite Iranian dissidents in Camp Liberty to face torture and execution in Iran.
The British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom (BPCIF) said it was ‘deeply concerned’ by the remarks made by Iraq’s Justice Minister Hassan Shammari over the fate of the camp’s residents.
Shammari was quoted as saying: “According to an agreement signed between Iran and Iraq on exchange of prisoners, Iran can ask for extradition of the MKO (PMOI) members.”
But the Committee said Liberty residents were Protected Persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention and any attempt to extradite them would show ‘total disregard for international law’.
The Iraqi regime was already been complicit in the deaths of over 100 members of the Iranian opposition based in Camps Ashraf and Liberty and had denied access to fuel, food, water and lawyers to more than 3,000 remaining residents in Camp Liberty, the committee, headed by Lord Carlile of Berriew, said.
It added in a statement: “These are defenceless people. International law clearly states that individuals should not be extradited to a nation where they face danger of torture or harm.
“Iraq must desist from this obedience to the unlawful demands of the Iranian regime. The international community has a duty to intervene.
“The UN, US, UK and EU must immediately condemn the statements of Iraq’s Justice Minister and reiterate demands that the Government of Iraq respect international law or face stern action from the international community.
“The Iraqi authorities must know that in due course the perpetrators of these crimes will face justice at the International Criminal Court.”
They also called on the UN and UNHCR to declare Camp Liberty a refugee camp and provide the residents with group refugee status.
The statement continued: “We urge the UK to use its power as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to secure the safety and well-being of these ‘persons of concern’.
“Nothing short of blue helmets at Camp Liberty is likely to save its defenceless residents, who have no weapons for their own defence and are long committed against violence.”
