NCRI – The US congressman, Hon. William. Lacy Clay of Missouri, in a speech at the House of Representatives on Thursday drew the attention of his colleagues to the recent resolution adopted by the European Parliament on the rights of residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq.
Camp Ashraf located northeast of Baghdad is home to 3,500 members of the main Iranian opposition, The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK/PMOI). In recent months, the Iranian regime has pressured Iraqi officials to expel Ashraf residents. The EP resolution adopted on April 24, 2009 urges the Iraqi government to uphold the human rights of those living at Camp Ashraf. Report by the Congressional Record, May 14, 2009, follows:
HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS AT CAMP ASHRAF
Congressional Record Page E1150-E1151
Text of speech of Hon. William Lacy Clay of Missouri in the US House of Representatives
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Mr. CLAY: Madam Speaker, as we endeavor to end the war in Iraq, and to prevent any further military action in that region, I want to call attention to a resolution adopted by the European parliament on April 24, 2009. This resolution addresses Camp Ashraf which is located in Iraq about 50 miles from the Iranian border.
Approximately 3,000 Iranian exiles are now residing at the Camp; these individuals have not been involved in the war and signed agreements with the U.S.-led Multi-National Force regarding their status in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
Unfortunately, Iraqi officials have allowed the Iranian clerical regime to pressure those residing at Camp Ashraf and human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, have expressed concern for their safety and well being.
The European Parliament resolution urges the Iraqi government to uphold the human rights of those living at Camp Ashraf. I share this sentiment and urge my colleagues to review the full text of the resolution enacted by the European Parliament.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Humanitarian situation of Camp Ashraf Residents
TEXT ADOPTED
at the sitting of
Friday
24 April 2009
P6_TA-PROV(2009)04-24 FINAL EDITION PE 425.401
European Parliament resolution pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure on the humanitarian situation of Camp Ashraf residents
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Geneva Conventions and notably Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the legal status of Protected Persons,
– having regard to the Geneva Convention of 1951 relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Additional Protocol,
– having regard to the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed between the US and Iraqi Governments in November 2008,
– having regard to its resolutions of 12 July 2007 and of 4 September 2008 including references to Camp Ashraf residents having legal status as Protected Persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention,
– having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Camp Ashraf in Northern Iraq was established during the 1980s for members of the Iranian opposition group People's Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI),
B. whereas in 2003 US forces in Iraq disarmed Camp Ashraf's residents and provided them with protection, having been designated "protected persons" under the Geneva Conventions,
C. whereas the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in a letter dated 15 October 2008 urged the Iraqi Government to protect Ashraf residents from forcible deportation, expulsion or repatriation in violation of the non-refoulement principle, and to refrain from any action that would endanger their life or security,
D. whereas after the US/Iraqi Status of Forces Agreement Camp Ashraf has been returned to the control of Iraqi security forces as of 1 January 2009,
E. whereas according to recent statements reportedly made by the Iraqi National Security Advisor the authorities intend gradually to make the continued presence of the Camp Ashraf residents "intolerable" and whereas he reportedly also referred to their expulsion/extradition and/or their forcible displacement inside Iraq,
1. Urges the Iraqi Prime Minister to ensure that no action is taken by the Iraqi authorities which violates the human rights of the Camp Ashraf residents and to clarify the government's intentions towards them; calls on the Iraqi authorities to protect the lives, and the physical and moral integrity of the Camp Ashraf residents and to treat them in accordance with the obligations under the Geneva Conventions, notably not to forcibly displace, deport, expel or repatriate them in violation of the principle of non-refoulement;
2. Respecting the individual wishes of anyone living in Camp Ashraf as regards to their future; considers that those living in Camp Ashraf and other Iranian nationals who currently reside in Iraq having left Iran for political reasons could be at risk of serious human rights violations if they were to be returned involuntarily to Iran, and insists that no person should be returned, either directly or via a third country, to a situation where they would be at risk of torture or other serious human rights abuses;
3. Calls on the Iraqi government to end its blockade of the camp and respect the legal status of the Camp Ashraf residents as "protected persons" under the Geneva Conventions, and to refrain from any action that would endanger their life or security, namely full access to food, water, medical care and supplies, fuel, family members and international humanitarian organisations;
4. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the Member States together with the Iraqi and US Governments and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee for the Red Cross to work towards finding a satisfactory long-term legal status for Camp Ashraf residents;
5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Governments and Parliaments of the Member states, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee for the Red Cross, the Government of the United States and the Governments and Parliaments of Iraq.
