The Law Society in the United Kingdom, with 140,000 lawyers and jurists as its members, issued a press release on December 21st, 2011 condemning Maliki’s illegal deadline set to shut down Ashraf by year’s end.
This institution described any efforts by the Iraqi government for the forceful relocation of Ashraf residents as a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
This statement continued that with the departure of US forces, the Law Society is increasingly concerned about Ashraf residents. The reason behind these concerns is the numerous attacks carried out by Iraqi government forces against the residents following the transfer of Ashraf security responsibilities to the Iraqi government in January 2009.
The Law Society has called on the UN Secretary General, UNAMI and the UN High Commission for Human rights to support the UNHCR refugee status recognition process for the residents by assigning a peacekeeping force to obtain control of the residents’ protection and security until the end of the UNHCR’s work.
The Law Society persuades the London, Washington and the EU to accept all residents who receive refugee status, the statement added.