Hindering the transfer of patients to Baghdad hospital in past few days

While the residents of Liberty are suffering severe water shortages, Iraqi forces are constantly hindering the water supply for the camp. They delay the water tankers that bring water from a distance of 12 km to the camp at checkpoints and the camp entrance using various excuses, such that the water arrives late to the camp. Iraqi forces also threaten Iraqi drivers who bring water to the camp and tell them they will be arrested if they continue to provide water for the residents. The repressive forces in recent days have beaten several of the drivers.

In another development, on Sunday, March 12th, the Iraqi police delayed four patients living in Liberty until 12:45 pm, who were awaiting transfer to hospital since 8:00 am based on a prior appointment. When three of the patients arrived in Baghdad, since they arrived after business hours and missing their appointment, they had to return to Liberty without gaining access to the doctor.

On Monday, March 13th, three other patients were not transferred to hospital due to the lack of ambulances. This is while all the appointments had already been coordinated with Iraqi officials beforehand.

This situation is the continuation of the cruel medical siege that has been imposed on Ashraf residents since early 2009 and has resulted in the death of 13 people to this day. This medical siege is a flagrant violation of humanitarian standards and also a violation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Iraqi government and United Nations on December 25th, 2011, and the February 15th letter of the Special Representative to the residents.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
March 13, 2012