News Blaze, 17 Feb 2012 – Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland says the United States urges voluntary movement of Camp Ashraf residents to Hurriya to begin on schedule today.
The United States continues to pursue a peaceful, humane solution to the untenable situation at Camp Ashraf. The critical next step is the voluntary movement of the first group of 400 Ashraf residents to the new transit facility at Camp Hurriya, formerly known as Camp Liberty.
The United States is supporting the UN call for the Iraqi Government and the residents of Camp Ashraf to continue to cooperate and begin this movement peacefully and without delay.
She states that once the first group arrives at Hurriya, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) can immediately begin verification and refugee status determinations, a necessary step for Hurriya residents to safely depart Iraq.
The State Department says that on January 31, following successful work by the Government of Iraq, the UNHCR and UN Human Rights Office in Baghdad determined that the infrastructure and facilities at Camp Hurriya are in accordance with international humanitarian standards for refugees, as required by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the United Nations and Government of Iraq last December 25.

“Secretary Clinton, joining European Union High Representative Ashton, has publicly supported this MOU, which fully respects the sovereignty of Iraq.”
– Ms. Nuland

Ms. Nuland the United States welcomes the Iraqi Government’s continued cooperation with the UN; urges the Iraqi government to fulfill all its responsibilities, especially the elements of the MOU that provide for the safety and security of Ashraf’s residents; and calls on the leaders at Camp Ashraf to cooperate with Iraqi authorities and the UN to make this and all further stages of the relocation successful.
Ms. Nuland emphasizes that the U.S. will not walk away from the people at Camp Hurriya. They will visit Hurriya regularly and frequently, and continue to work with the UN to support their temporary relocation and subsequent peaceful and secure resettlement outside of Iraq.
Earlier this year, the residents of camp Ashraf, in Iraq, said they were ready for relocation of the first group on December 30. They are moving from Camp Ashraf, to Camp Liberty with their vehicles and moveable belongings.