The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520
Dear Madame Secretary:
We are strongly concerned about reports of Iraqi troops killing dozens and injuring hundreds of unarmed civilians in Camp Ashraf during the early morning hours of April 8. These treacherous acts are in clear violation of international protections of human life- the some 3400 MEK members living in Camp Ashraf are “protected persons” under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Furthermore, these actions are in clear breach of Iraq’s written promise to the United States government before it took control of the Camp and suggest a troubling acquiescence by the al-Maliki government to Iranian demands.
We urge you to make this still volatile situation the highest of your priorities. Iraqi authorities must understand that the taking of innocent lives is completely unacceptable to the United States government. Troops should be immediately withdrawn from the Camp, medical care should be provided to the injured, and new agreements made to ensure that this tragedy is not repeated.
Sincerely,
