Tehran orders Iraq to suppress camp residents

By Mehran Bahramian
OfficialWire, Stockholm, 13 Dec 2011 – Is the Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri al-Maleki really trustworthy? In particular when it comes to the fate OF 3400 defenceless Iranian dissidents in a place called Camp Ashraf in Iraq? Actions talk much louder than words.
He purported that he is seeking a peaceful solution to this crisis that is on the verge of turning into a humanitarian catastrophe. Yet, a review of Mr. Maliki’s actions vis-à-vis Camp Ashraf clearly shows the contrary.
In early 2009, despite warnings about the lack of competence of the Iraqi government to protect the residents of Ashraf, the U.S handed over the security of the Camp to Iraqis. The U.S. took the written assurance of the Government of Iraq headed by Mr. Maliki at face value.
Since then the Camp has been subjected to an inhumane siege. Iraqi forces twice attacked the Camp in July 2009 and April 2011, killing 47 unarmed residents and injuring over 1000 more. The psychological torture of its residents through 300 loudspeakers blaring profanities and threats 24 hours a day. The Iraqi government tries to hide behind the empty rhetoric of national sovereignty in one hand and FTO list in the other to justify its brutal and repeated attacks on Ashraf residents.
It must be rather frustrating for the residents of Camp Ashraf to trust his desires for a peaceful solution while Al-Maleki has set a deadline of 31 December 2011 to close Camp Ashraf intending to forcibly relocating them inside Iraq, to various unknown and potentially hostile environments outside the oversight of the international community. Will it not be a prelude for another massacre on a much larger scale? Haven’t the residents every right to resist being relocated within Iraq?
I wonder what answers President Obama has for these question while he meets Al-Maleki these days!
Advertise with OfficialWire
On Saturday December 10, on the International Human Rights Day, and on the eve of U.S. President Barack Obama’s meeting with Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki in Washington DC, in a call to President Obama, American and European dignitaries urged annulment of the December 31 deadline on Ashraf and the forcible relocation of its residents inside Iraq, warning of an impending massacre and human catastrophe in Ashraf.
General David Phillips, U.S. Military Police Commander (2008-2011) said over 3,400 persons at Camp Ashraf were given a promise of protection following a very thorough vetting process-and I know this for a fact because I’m the one that went and saw Madame Parsai and brought forth the promise. I feel so strongly about that promise that even now I would return to Ashraf and act as an intermediary between the MEK and the Iraqis who I know many of their senior leaders. And I feel so safe with the supposed terrorists that I would take my own daughter with me.
The fact is that as General David Phillips clearly emphasized United States signed an agreement with each resident making a commitment to protect them until their final disposition and granting them “Protected Persons” status under the Fourth Geneva Convention. America gave them its word of honour.
President Obama should ensure that its word and honour still mean something. He must now revoke the terrorist designation of the MEK which is the main obstacle for a peaceful and durable solution for relocation of the residents in Ashraf.
All tools available must be used by President Obama to make Mr. Al-Maliki understand that the Dec. 31 deadline must be extended. Iraq must cooperate with the UNHCR in that agency’s process to affirm the residents’ refugee status as a prelude to their resettlement in third countries.
The US and the UN must not allow Al-Maleki to carry out another massacre in the name of Iraqi sovereignty and must take action to resolve the situation for the 3,400 residents, including 1000 women.

Mehran Bahramian is an Iranian scholar living in exile in Sweden. He advocates democracy in Iran and has had many of his friends killed by the regime in Tehran. Bahramian has been following political events in Iran for 20 years.