Source: US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents) – On Friday, December 19, 2008, marking the 100th day of their vigil, the families and friends of Iranian dissidents in Camp Ashraf, Iraq, rallied across from the White House. In line with the continued bi-partisan support in the U.S. Congress for safety and security of Ashraf residents and the ongoing vigil, Representative Bob Filner (D-CA) addressed the rally and Representative Daniel Lungren (R-CA) released a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The rally and the White House vigil aim to ward off a looming humanitarian crisis for the nearly 3,500 Iranian refugees, their families, and members of the main Iranian opposition, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) at Camp Ashraf.
The protestors demanded the United States live up to its commitment to protect the unarmed political refugees, formally recognized "protected persons" under the Fourth Geneva Convention. They asked U.S. to maintain its uninterrupted security for Camp Ashraf following the signing of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), so long as it has military presence in Iraq.
Congressman Filner, Chairman of Veterans Affairs Committee, applauding the 100-day vigil for Camp Ashraf, told protestors that "you are reminding Americans what we have to do and on behalf of, not only the people of Ashraf, but the people around the world. You are doing the right thing."
In his letter to Secretary Gates about Camp Ashraf, Congressman Lungren, member of the Committee on Homeland Security, stated that "I have received communications from both the ICRC as well as from Amnesty International expressing grave concern over the plight of the residents of Ashraf." He requested Secretary Gates "in any determination relating to the status of the people of Ashraf seek to ensure compliance with our legal and humanitarian obligations to them."
The Friday rally, held under heavy rain in Lafayette Park, stressed that transfer of Ashraf security to the Iraqi Security Forces would make Iraq's nascent Government subject of extensive pressure from Tehran. The Iranian regime has made it clear that it would increase pressure under Baghdad buckles, resulting in possible detention, extradition, and direct attacks by Tehran and its Iraqi surrogates. The United States, therefore, must continue its protection so long as its forces are in Iraq.
