Addustoor daily (Jordan), Baghdad, 18 Sep 2013 – 100 Members of the Iraqi Parliament called for the immediate release of seven Iranian refugee hostages abducted by Iraqi special forces from Camp Ashraf north of the country. This measure was carried out during the massacre against the camp residents that lead to 52 deaths and dozens of injuries.
These MPs stated in their declaration yesterday the United Nations must act to provide the necessary protection for Camp Liberty, home to members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. Furthermore, the UN must provide all security necessities for the protection of these refugees, they stressed. This position was expressed through issuing a statement by parliamentary factions and conducting press interviews where MPs also emphasized on human rights principles guaranteed in the Iraqi constitution, and joined voice with thousands of MPs across the globe.
This declaration states there are concerns these hostages will be surrendered to Iranian authorities, adding statement added residents of camps Ashraf and Liberty, including the seven hostages, are all protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Furthermore, the UN Refugee Agency has registered them as asylum-seekers enjoying international protection.
Based on the abovementioned facts, we urgently call on the United States, UNAMI and UNHCR to use all their powers and assets for the immediate release of the abducted hostages. Furthermore, we call for an urgent and impartial investigation and handing over those responsible for this crime to justice. We also demand the permanent stationing of UN forces in Camp Liberty and providing security necessities for the protection of these refugees to prevent any repeat of any massacres against them.

MPs Talal al-Zobaei, Ibrahim Mutlak, Heidar al-Mulla, Ahmed al-Massari and Leqa Wardi sponsored this statement.