Skip to content

U.S. Committee for Ashraf Residents

Working for Safety and Security of Our Loved Ones

Menu
  • Home
  • News
    • 2003-2016 Attacks
      • Oct 2015 Rocket Attack
        • Reactions
          • US Congress
          • UN & HR Orgs
      • Sept. 2013 Massacre
      • April 2011 Massacre
        • Scenes of Massacre
      • July 2009 Attack
      • TV/Video reports
  • Statements
  • US Congress
    • Resolutions
      • H.R.3707 (2013-2014)
      • H. RES. 89 (2013)
      • H. RES. 60
      • H. RES. 231
      • H. RES. 332
      • H. RES. 704
  • US Officials
  • UN & Ashraf
  • About
    • Our Committee
    • Ashraf 3 – Albania
    • Camp Ashraf & Camp Liberty – Iraq
    • PMOI/MEK
Menu

In Newspaper Ad USCCAR Urges U.S. to Act for Immediate Release of Iranian Dissident Taken Hostage in Iraq

Posted on April 9, 2015April 9, 2015 by USCCAR
U.S. urged to act to free Iranian dissident taken hostage in Iraq

An urgent appeal published in Thursday’s issue of the Washington Times calls on the U.S. Government to take immediate action to secure the release of a Camp Liberty resident who the U.S. had committed to protect but now has been held hostage in Iraq by being illegally detained for the past four weeks.

Mr. Safar Zakery, 60, an Iranian refugee living in Camp Liberty under UN supervision has been recognized as a person of concern protected under international law.

The full-page ad published by the US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents said: “Since four weeks ago, the Iraqi government… has detained him and refuses to recognize his legal status to return to Camp Liberty.”

“He suffers from kidney stones, gallstones, and severe Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BHP). Instead, Iraqi officials have inexplicably facilitated the involvement of the Iranian regime’s embassy in his case, to Iran, where he will face torture and execution.”

In 2004, the U.S. and Multinational-Force Iraq recognized Safar Zakery and members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) as ‘protected persons’ under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

In 2004, the U.S. Government signed an agreement with Safar Zakery, committing itself to protect him until his final disposition.

In 2011, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees recognized Safar Zakery as a refugee entitled to international protection.

The U.S. Government and the UN officially asked Mr. Zakery and other residents of Camp Ashraf to relocate to Camp Liberty. In return, the U.S. pledged to ensure the safety and the security of the residents.

The appeal published in the Washington Times calls on the U.S. Government to take urgent action to fulfill America’s commitment by securing Mr. Zakery’s freedom.

The US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents called on Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to order the immediate release of Mr. Zakery.

 

In Newspaper Ad USCCAR Urges U.S. to Act for Immediate Release of Iranian dissident taken hostage in Iraq
In Newspaper Ad USCCAR Urges U.S. to Act for Immediate Release of Iranian dissident taken hostage in Iraq

Latest News

  • Iranian Resistance, Achievements and Activities in 2023 January 5, 2024
  • Female political prisoners in Evin are retaliated for their protest, deprived of their basic rights January 4, 2024
  • BCFIF Makes Iran Policy Recommendations for UK Government January 1, 2024
  • Congressional Caucus Spearheads Global Initiative to Ensure Safety and Rights of Iranian Dissidents in Ashraf-3 December 21, 2023
  • Iranian Regime Judiciary’s Actions against MEK Condemned by 453 Legal Experts October 28, 2023

Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi faces terrorism trial in Belgium court

Video Player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnKyWTWC6EM
00:00
00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.

UN experts call for investigation of 1988 Massacre in Iran – December 2020

Video Player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTQGUHGsUCQ
00:00
00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.
© 2025 U.S. Committee for Ashraf Residents | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme
Menu
  • Home
  • News
    • 2003-2016 Attacks
      • Oct 2015 Rocket Attack
        • Reactions
          • US Congress
          • UN & HR Orgs
      • Sept. 2013 Massacre
      • April 2011 Massacre
        • Scenes of Massacre
      • July 2009 Attack
      • TV/Video reports
  • Statements
  • US Congress
    • Resolutions
      • H.R.3707 (2013-2014)
      • H. RES. 89 (2013)
      • H. RES. 60
      • H. RES. 231
      • H. RES. 332
      • H. RES. 704
  • US Officials
  • UN & Ashraf
  • About
    • Our Committee
    • Ashraf 3 – Albania
    • Camp Ashraf & Camp Liberty – Iraq
    • PMOI/MEK