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In this Issue:
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Iraqi Vice-President: Iraq must guarantee security of
PMOI members,
NCRI website,
May 14,
2009
-
Prominent Iraqi politician
criticizes approach toward PMOI in Iraq,
NCRI website,
May 4, 2009
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Iraqi parliamentary leaders urge government
to implement EP resolution on Camp Ashraf,
NCRI website,
May 12, 2009
-
No news on young man arrested for having
family members in Ashraf City ,
NCRI Website, May 13,
2009
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Britons support PMOI in letter to Obama,
United Press International, May 14,
2009
-
Washington: 100 days of
demonstrations by Iranians in support of Camp Ashraf residents,
NCRI Website, May 11,
2009
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"Protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their
persons, their honour, their family rights, their religious convictions and
practices, and their manners and customs.”
Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention
“In no circumstances shall a protected person be transferred to a country where
he or she may have reason to fear persecution for his or her political opinions
or religious beliefs.”
Article 45 of the Fourth Geneva Convention
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Iraqi Vice-President: Iraq
must guarantee security of PMOI members
NCRI Website
May 14, 2009
NCRI – Dr. Tariq al-Hashemi, Iraqi Vice-President said in an interview with
the Arabic language daily Al-Ittihad on Tuesday, May 12, that “Iraq must
guarantee security and safety of ‘members of the Iranian opposition group, the
People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) residing in Camp Asharf’ in
the context of Fourth Geneva Convention.” The English translation of
excerpts of the interview follows:
Q: The issue of the PMOI has evolved to a subject of political dispute among
some political parties. In your opinion, how this issue should be dealt with and
put an end to it?
Iraqi Vice- President: Iraq is not a party in the dispute over this file. Iraq
has enough problems and pains of its own. I believe what we need most is an
international decision to remove this difficulty from Iraq and to bring this
ongoing dispute to an end. However, until then, Iraq must guarantee security and
safety of the PMOI individuals in the context of the Fourth Geneva Convention,
because we are a civilized country committed to the International Law.
On April 7, Dr. Tariq al-Hashemi said in another interview with the Arabic
Language Al-Salam TV that presence of the PMOI in Iraq “is within the framework
of the international treaties.”
According to the text of the interview published on www.alhashemi.org website,
the Iraqi Vice-president, in a reference to some 3,500 members of PMOI residing
in Camp Ashraf in Iraq, said, “we hear of their transfer to desert areas” or
their “persecution,” “Such talks are not in the interest of Iraq and damage its
reputation.”...
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Prominent Iraqi politician criticizes approach toward
PMOI in Iraq
NCRI Website
May 4, 2009
NCRI - In an interview with al-Babelyia TV, on Friday May 1, 2009, Dr. Saleh
Mutlaq, Chairman of the Iraqi National Dialogue Front, criticized a blockade by
Iraqi forces on Ashraf City (Camp Ashraf), where nearly 3,500 members of the
main Iranian opposition, People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK),
currently reside.
Dr. Saleh Mutlaq, Chairman of the Iraqi National Dialogue Front said: “There is
still a lot of debate regarding the PMOI. There are some who say we have the
wrong position toward them, but instead we believe that they are mistaken. We
think that the issue should be approached with a mindset of trying to serve
Iraq’s interests and not appeasing Iran. In our view, Iran has in many cases
intervened in Iraq. According to Iraq’s Foreign Minister, Iran has violated
Iraqi borders, air space, and waters, violating ownership of neighboring oil
wells, shooting at Iraqi workers who worked on oil patches in Iraqi territory.
Iran is funding terrorist and criminal gangs in Iraq and smuggles deadly weapons
into the country.
“Now, we are talking about an organization [the People’s Mojahedin Organization
of Iran (PMOI/MEK)], which has been disarmed in practice and which opposes the
Iranian regime. Regardless of who they oppose, since they have been disarmed and
have nothing at their disposal even to defend themselves, our siege on this
organization greatly harms our humanitarian values, not to mention our Iraqi and
Arab traditions. Placing a blockade on them is not condoned by Iraq’s values.
The source of these measures is outside Iraq, and crawled into Iraq after the
invasion. No Iraqi would ever place a siege on their guests.”
Dr. Saleh Mutlak added: “The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK)
is a peace-seeking organization and we must not put a siege on them. We should
not be permitted to let go of this case. They were saying that this organization
has explosives and supports al-Qaida, and there were many more allegations like
this. At the time, we used to say, ‘brothers, please present your evidence and
documents so that we could validate what you are saying. But, if there is no
evidence, it is not right to accuse them as such.’
“According to my information, a committee made up of members from the Interior
Ministry and other ministries, was recently set up under the monitoring and with
the knowledge of the US. It investigated every inch of Camp Ashraf. They did not
find anything which could suggest that they have weapons or even light weaponry
for individual self-defense. No weapons were found at the camp. No explosives,
as it was alleged, were found in the camp. The US side verified this, and it was
documented in the investigation report. So, what are those who used to claim
that the PMOI has weapons of mass destruction and chemical weapons, saying now?
Today it has been proven that there is not even a single hand gun in Camp
Ashraf. What are we saying to ourselves and our people now?”...
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Iraqi parliamentary leaders
urge government to implement EP resolution on Camp Ashraf
NCRI Website
May 12, 2009
NCRI - The chairman of the Iraqi National Dialogue Council, Sheikh Khalaf al-Alyan,
and a leader of the National Iraqi Front, Usama Adbul Aziz al-Najafi, have urged
the Iraqi government to implement the articles of a recent European Parliament
resolution regarding Camp Ashraf, the Iraqi daily Azzaman reported on Sunday.
The two parliamentary leaders demanded the observance of the rights of Camp
Ashraf residents in accordance with international laws. Camp Ashraf, located
northeast of Baghdad, is home to nearly 3,500 members of the main Iranian
opposition, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
According to the paper, Sheikh Khalaf al-Alyan said: The PMOI is a peace-seeking
organization and the Iraqi government is obliged to fulfill international
conventions and treaties, which guarantee the rights and protection of political
refugees.
Azzaman also quoted Sheikh Khalaf al-Alyan as saying: International courts have
in the past removed the PMOI from terror lists, because this organization is a
national resistance and opposition movement. The EU has accepted these court
rulings...
Usama Adbul Aziz al-Najafi, an MP and one of the leaders of the National Iraqi
Front, said that in view of the EP resolution, sustaining the pressure on Ashraf
residents would harm Iraq’s international credibility, especially since the EP
resolution stresses the full rights of these refugees in Iraqi territory.
Talking with Azzaman, he stressed: The Iraqi government’s treatment of Ashraf
residents, and the restrictions imposed on them with the aim of forcing them to
leave their residence, is contrary to the Geneva Conventions.
The Iraqi MP urged the country’s government to revisit its position on Ashraf
residents since they carry no weapons and since the Geneva Conventions must be
implemented with respect to them...
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No news on young man arrested for having family members
in Ashraf City
NCRI Website
May 13, 2009
NCRI – Despite the passing of over 80 days since the arrest of Mr. Hamed Yazerlu,
an aeronautics and space engineering student by the Iranian regime’s Ministry of
Intelligence and Security (MOIS) agents in late February, there are still no
reports about his condition.
On February 20, 2009 Yazerlu along with a number of members of families of
Iranian opposition members who reside in Camp Ashraf (Ashraf City) in Iraq, was
arrested.
Hamed’s brother, Hood was previously sentenced to three years of prison by the
Iranian regime’s judiciary and is currently in ward 8 of Evin Prison.
Hamed Yazerlu was a student activist and although he was accepted in Amir Kabir
University to get his PhD, he was banned two years in a row from continuing his
studies.
In the past few months, the arrest of family members of the People's Mojahedin
Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) has increased. The people, who are trialed on
charges of having links to dissident groups, are people with family members in
the PMOI...
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Britons support PMOI in letter to Obama
United Press International
May 14, 2009
British lawmakers issued a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama calling for the
removal of the People's Mujahedin of Iran from a terrorist list.
More than 180 members of the British Parliament joined a similar effort by
European lawmakers proposing that the Obama administration shift its stance on
Iranian opposition movements as part its new policy of engagement.
"Our experience has shown that the Iran crisis cannot be resolved without an
Iranian solution and without relying on its main opposition movement," the
letter said...
The PMOI and its affiliates in the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of
Iran have waged a successful delisting campaign in Britain and Europe, with
similar efforts under way in the United States.
In the letter to Obama, lawmakers said they fear a "catastrophic humanitarian
crisis" would result from Washington's refusal to delist the group, adding that
Iran uses the listing as justification for threats against the PMOI.
"It is time for the U.S. administration to listen to this message, a message
brought by you who have proved to be symbols of peace and democracy in today's
world," Maryam Rajavi, NCRI president, said in a videotaped statement...
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Washington: 100 days of demonstrations by Iranians
in support of Camp Ashraf residents
NCRI Website
May 11, 2009
NCRI - On Friday, exiled Iranians marked their 100th day of demonstrations in
support of Camp Ashraf residents in Iraq, where nearly 3,500 members of the main
Iranian opposition, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK),
reside. They condemned the Iranian regime’s plots to impose more pressure on
Ashraf residents and demanded their rights to be guaranteed in accordance with
international conventions.
Iranian-American community representatives from 12 states traveled to Washington
to declare their support for Ashraf residents. A number of the demonstrators
have family members in Camp Ashraf.
Mr. Moslem Eskandar Filabi, Chair of the Sports Committee of the National
Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), urged President Barack Obama to support
the Iranian people against a regime which commits stoning and executions.
Mr. Mohammad Ghorbani, an Iranian national wrestling champion and former world
champion, read a message from the association of athletes to demonstrators in
their 100th day of protests in defense of Ashraf residents’ rights...
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About Humanitarian Crisis for
Iranian Dissidents and their Families In Camp Ashraf
Nearly 3,500 members of Iran’s
main opposition, the People’s Mojahedin (PMOI/MEK), residing in Camp Ashraf in
Iraq, are faced with a humanitarian crisis.
Tehran has put the Iraqi
government under tremendous pressure to take over the protection of Camp Ashraf
from the US-led Multinational Force-Iraq. Under current circumstance in
Iraq, such action would be in violation of the 4th Geneva Convention and
International Humanitarian Law. Since 2004, Ashraf residents have been formally
recognized as “Protected Persons“ under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Ashraf Residents are expatriates
holding dual nationality or refugee status of various Western countries. Their
families and relatives are greatly worried for their loved ones in Ashraf.
International Humanitarian Law Obligate U.S. to Provide Continued Protection for
Camp Ashraf Residents in Iraq
On July 2, 2004, the United States formally
recognized members of the PMOI in Camp Ashraf as “protected persons” under the
Fourth Geneva Convention.
Both the U.S. and Iraq are parties to all four
1949 Geneva Conventions.
Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention specifies that:
“Protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their
persons, their honour, their family rights, their religious convictions and
practices, and their manners and customs […]”.
Article 45 of the Fourth Geneva Convention specifies that:
“In no circumstances shall a protected person
be transferred to a country where he or she may have reason to fear persecution
for his or her political opinions or religious beliefs.“
Under the present circumstances in Iraq, the U.S.
is the only party qualified and capable of ensuring Camp Ashraf residents’
safety and security under the Fourth Geneva Convention. The U.S. forces must
continue to protect Ashraf residents as long as US forces are in Iraq.
About
the U.S. Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents:
The U.S. Committee for Camp Ashraf
Residents (USCCAR) was established in December of 2003 by families and relatives
of residents of Camp Ashraf. The purpose of the Committee is to ensure the
safety and security of those Iranians and others living in Camp Ashraf. The
Committee will defend the proposition that the protections of the Fourth Geneva
Convention, as well as of other treaties and customary international law, must
be applied to the Iranians in Iraq. For more information please visit:
www.usccar.org
About
Ashraf Monitor
Ashraf Monitor newsletter is a
compilation of news and commentaries about the developing humanitarian
crisis for nearly 3,500 members of Iran's main opposition, the People's
Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in Camp Ashraf, Iraq. Ashraf Monitor is
compiled and distributed by the US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR).
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