In an immediate statement to the US President Obama, the Federation of Associations of Promotion of Human Rights in Spain, comprising of 16 nationwide Human Rights Organizations in Spain, called for stopping psychological torture of Ashraf residents.

This statement which is signed by Mrs. Marisa Mercado, the executive director of the Federation of Associations of Promotion of Human Rights in Spain, is as follows:

President Obama, Madrid, 14th March, 2011
United State of America
Dear President,

We would like to express our concerns regarding the atrocious humane conditions in Camp Ashraf in Iraq, home to 3400 Iranian dissidents. One of the most shameful and disgraceful measures of the Iraqi government is its full cooperation with the Iranian regime in imposing an inhumane siege, banning the camp residents’ access to medical services and the psychological torture of Ashraf residents.

With the assistance of Iraqi forces, the dispatched agents of the Iranian regime’s Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) have installed 210 powerful loudspeakers around the camp, threatening especially the women of Ashraf and initiating a filthy psychological war against the residents.

By enforcing inhumane restrictions on Ashraf residents’ free access to medical services, the Iraqi government is literally imposing a type of medical torture on the residents. Due to these repressive policies and the residents’ lack of access to medical services and treatment, a number of terminally ill patients suffering from cancer are in severe conditions. During the past, the above mentioned restrictions led to the death of resident of the camp by the name of Mehdi Fathi. Currently, a number of residents in the camp are facing similar destinies.

On March 1st, 2011, in a hearing at the US House of Representatives, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton responded to the concerns expressed regarding the conditions of Ashraf residents by various representatives, saying: “…we also know there are constant provocations that exist. So, we are in a daily dialogue with the Government of Iraq, with the United Nations, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect them.”

Considering the issues that I reminded above, I am asking you for the following:
1. With your urgent action, call on the Iraqi government to put an end to the psychological torture of Ashraf residents through the 210 installed loudspeakers, which are equivalent to the residents’ mental torture.
2. Obligate the Iraqi government based international laws to annul the all-out siege on Camp Ashraf residents, especially the medical blockade.

With respects,
Fdo.: Marisa Mercado
Directora Técnica