Source: Al-Arab al-Youm (Jordanian daily), June 6, 2009 (excerpts)
Written by: Aref Abdolazim, Iran affairs expert
We have readily seen the brave, positive, prudent, and consistent position of European governments, institutions, people, and organizations when it comes to humanitarian issues and politics of freedom. So was Europe’s stance on Ashraf City, the bastion of members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). This city has been placed under siege for more than a month now after pressures from Tehran, in violation of international laws and principles, and in contrast to the Iraqi government’s commitment to the American government regarding the protection of Ashraf, its residents, and respect for its rights.
Source: Al-Arab al-Youm (Jordanian daily), June 6, 2009 (excerpts)
Written by: Aref Abdolazim, Iran affairs expert
We have readily seen the brave, positive, prudent, and consistent position of European governments, institutions, people, and organizations when it comes to humanitarian issues and politics of freedom. So was Europe’s stance on Ashraf City, the bastion of members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). This city has been placed under siege for more than a month now after pressures from Tehran, in violation of international laws and principles, and in contrast to the Iraqi government’s commitment to the American government regarding the protection of Ashraf, its residents, and respect for its rights.
The European Parliament resolution calling for the Iraqi government’s support for Ashraf residents, their rights, and their lives, is a clear signal and highlights Europe’s moral stance.
A question arises here: Do Arab governments, organizations and people have a similar responsibility when it comes to Ashraf and more broadly the PMOI?
This question has gained more prominence after Europe adopted its decision about Ashraf. In its plenary session in Strasburg on Friday, April 24, 2009, the European Parliament passed a very significant resolution about the ensuring of protection of Ashraf City in Iraq. …
The resolution calls on the Iraqi government to end the siege on Camp Ashraf, acknowledge the legal status of the camp’s residents as “protected persons” under the Geneva Conventions, and refrain from adopting any measures that could threaten their lives or security.
What responsibility do Arabs, as Ashraf residents’ brothers, have in relation to them? … Ashraf residents, one third of whom are women, are now experiencing the most difficult conditions under siege. Is it not the case that Arab organizations, institutions, non-government organizations, political figures, parliamentarians, and finally governments, are responsible when it comes to Ashraf? …
From a humanitarian perspective, who in this Arab land can truly claim to respect Arab hospitality customs, while at the same time accepting that the beautiful city of Ashraf residents, who are guests of genuine Arab customs and values, has turned into a prison, imprisoning with it the aspirations and prospects of Iraq and the region?
Even if we put aside the humanitarian aspect, there is a political one. What is the role of Ashraf that has brought it this much exposure, and why has the Iranian regime placed such heavy pressure on it? The reason for these pressures is that if the Tehran regime were to be able to remove this obstacle from its path or if it can sustain the siege on Ashraf, it would be able to export its revolution to Iraq and other Arab countries in the region by asserting its control on Ashraf. …
It is now time for Arabs to responsibly come to the fore and demand the lifting of all restrictions on Ashraf. They should lift the siege on Ashraf and remove all that can restrict their freedom or rights. They should call on the Iraqi government to respect their rights.
