Baghdad daily: Over 2750 lawyers and jurists from 13 Arab countries condemn Iraqi government’s measures aimed at stealing Ashraf residents’ property
Jurists called for recognition of residents’ ownership rights over their property and the declaration of Liberty as a refugee camp
Over 2750 lawyers and jurists from 13 Arab countries issued a joint statement condemning and warning of Iraqi government’s measures to steal Ashraf residents. The signatories also announced the United Nations in Iraq must not become a cloak and tool for the violation of the resident’s human rights by the government.
Following the removal of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran from the US terrorist list which took place through the tireless efforts of the Iranian Resistance and a US federal court ruling, the signatories of this statement from Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Yemen, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan and Libya condemn the plans of Iran and its affiliates in Iraq to confiscate and rob Ashraf residents’ property, and call for the recognition of Ashraf and Liberty residents’ right of ownership over their property and assets. These lawyers and jurists went on to call on the UN Secretary-General to recognize Liberty as a refugee camp.
The statement of Iraqi and Arab lawyers and jurists reads:
“This Iraqi government position that the residents must prove their ownership over their moveable assets is a completely illegal stance and preparations to steal their property. This is while articles 1147 and 1157 of Iraq’s Civil Code underline an individual having an asset in possession is its owner unless proven otherwise. In a clear example, when the residents provided ownership documents for 6 large power generators to the Iraqi government and international organizations, it had no impact on the Iraqi government’s decision to steal the generators. Over 1,200 vehicles belonging to the residents have been checked and approved by Iraq’s traffic police.
“The government also rejects the selling of the residents’ immovable assets, consisting of 90% of their property, while articles 1120 and 1162 in Iraq’s Civil Code recognize the right and ownership of Ashraf residents over their moveable and immovable properties. The result of the work and investment of thousands of residents during 26 years in Ashraf tops $500 million.”
Condemning the Iraqi government’s illegal measures aimed at confiscating Ashraf residents’ property, these Arab lawyers and jurists call on the UN and international community to prevent this flagrant violation of refugees’ human rights by the Iraqi government and demanded the immediate implementation of the following measures:
– Recognizing the residents’ rights over their moveable and immovable property. If this right is not recognized, sending the residents’ property dossier to an international entity for arbitration/mediation will be the only solution.
– Liberty must be recognized
