The British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom
MPs commend Mrs Rajavi for brave step to safeguard peaceful resolution to Ashraf crisis
On Friday, Mrs Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, took a courageous
step, persuading the residents of Camp Ashraf to resume their transfer to Camp Liberty even
before all their humanitarian demands were fulfilled by Iraq. Her commitment to a peaceful
resolution to the Ashraf crisis is a substantial gesture of goodwill that must be appreciated as
such.
The United States government must now press Iraq to complete the remaining humanitarian
demands of the residents of Camp Liberty. It should also facilitate the residents’ move from
Liberty to safe third countries by removing the unjust and illegal terrorist label from the
PMOI. We urge Mrs Clinton not to wait for the 1st October deadline imposed by the courts,
and remove the terror tag at once. This will immediately facilitate the process of relocating
the residents to third countries.
We understand that work to provide running water for Camp Liberty has started, and we
encourage UN and US monitors to be vigilant and make sure the process is not halted after
the 6th group of residents move from Ashraf to Liberty next week. The other humanitarian
demands of the residents of Camp Liberty must be provided without delay including
transferring the six generators as well as cars or minibuses, lift trucks, and trailers equipped
for the disabled, from Ashraf to Liberty. Ashraf residents must be allowed to sell their
property to pay for the expenses of making Liberty habitable.
We also call on the UN and US to press Iraq to respect the rights of the Camp Liberty
residents including freedom of movement and the right to see their lawyers, family and
friends. Many Parliamentarians in the UK would like to visit Camp Liberty residents. All
restrictions in this regard must be lifted at once. The UN and US are responsible for ensuring
the safety of Ashraf and Liberty residents, and they would be held accountable if any further
bloodshed occurs.
We urge Foreign Secretary William Hague and EU Member States to step in and accept
groups of refugees from Camp Liberty. It would be an honour for our countries to welcome
the brave residents of Camp Ashraf who are symbols of resistance against medieval tyrants
in Iran. We encourage our government to accept everyone with ties to the UK immediately.
The British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom
19 August 2012
This statement has been supported by:
Lord Clarke of Hampstead, former Chairman of the Labour Party
Baroness Gould of Potternewton, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords
Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen OBE, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords
Baroness Harris of Richmond, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords
Rt. Hon. Baroness Boothroyd OM, former Speaker of the House of Commons
Rt. Hon. Lord Waddington GCVO DL QC, former Home Secretary
Rt. Hon. Lord Dholakia PC OBE DL, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party
Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation
Rt. Hon. Lord Fraser of Carmyllie QC, former Lord Advocate for Scotland
Rt. Rev. Bishop of Oxford
Rt. Rev. Bishop of Bath and Wells
Rt. Rev. Lord Harries of Pentregarth FKC DD FRSL, former Bishop of Oxford
Mr. Mike Hancock CBE MP, leader of the UK Liberal Democrats at the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe
Professor Lord Alton of Liverpool
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
Mr. David Amess MP
Lord Bilston
Rt. Hon. Lord Eden of Winton PC
Mr. Austin Mitchell MP
Baroness Turner of Camden
Baroness Masham of Ilton DL
Lord Rea
Lord Roberts of Llandudno
Mr. Martin Caton MP
Mr. Jim Dobbin MP
Mr. Brian Binley MP
Lord King of West Bromwich
Mr. Mark Williams MP
Lord Inglewood DL
Lord Turnberg
Sir Roger Gale MP
Baroness Blood
Mr. John Leech MP
Lord Joffe CBE
Lord Cotter
Sir Bob Russell MP
Mr. Mike Freer MP
Mr. Joe Benton MP
Mr. Steve McCabe MP
Rt. Hon. Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-
Fylde
