Fifteen non-government organizations from various countries across 4 continents issued letters to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein protesting obstructions by Iraqi forces on transferring Camp Liberty patients to hospitals. These NGOs also called for any restrictions on medical care and Liberty residents’ free access to medical services be lifted.
These letters were signed by the Friends of Camp Liberty (FOCL) international committee consisting of more than 30 members. Si De Necker, appointed by Canada’s National Coalition Party as the international diplomatic ambassador, is the chair of this committee that is in connection with human rights organizations across the globe and plays an advisory role.

Press release – October 30, 2014
15 associations and NGOs from the 4 corners of the world call on the Iraqi Prime Minister and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to end the illegal medical blockade imposed on Camp Liberty residents
15 international organizations where a number have consultative status in the United Nations from Australia, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, India, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Nepal, Bangladesh and Malaysia have addressed Iraq’s new Prime Minister and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in different letters and statements condemning the brutal medical blockade imposed on the residents of Camp Liberty and the deliberate impediment of Iraqi intelligence forces preventing patients’ transfer to hospitals where they would get proper treatment. These organizations have raised concern over the fate of the 3 thousand Iranian refugees residing at Camp Liberty and have denounced the brutal blockade they’re faced with which not only does not meet any international humanitarian standards but is also a blatant breach of every human being’s rudimental rights. They’ve expressed their fear regarding these refugees whose lives are endangered.
These organizations have emphasized that residents of Camp Ashraf were transferred to Camp Liberty following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United Nations and the Government of Iraq on December 25, 2011. But the Government of Iraq has not been committed to the MoU and has forced these residents to live under a complete illegal siege including a medical blockade which deprives Liberty residents from access to medical services.
Today, Liberty residents are only allowed to visit one hospital per day. Iraqi intelligence elements stationed at the Camp delay the exit of the patients by keeping them 2 to 3 hours at the gate before letting them leave for their intended destination. Furthermore, only 3 to 5 patients under tight security measures by the Iraqi police and intelligence elements are given the permission to go to a general hospital not to mention that they barely have 2 to 3 hours to complete their visit and thus, many return to the Camp without finishing their appointment with their physician.
The last victim of this medical blockade is Taghi Abbasian who died on late September 2014 as the result of a heart stroke and because Iraqi forces intentionally delayed his transfer to hospital where he would be treated in time.
The above-mentioned organizations have demanded the implementation of tangible measures by the United Nations in order to honor humanitarian laws and lift all restraints and restrictions imposed on these refugees. These NGOs have stressed that in regard to UN’s commitment to provide safety and security for Camp Liberty refugees who are all covered by UNHCR, we demand that feasible measures be adopted to end the inhumane siege and give the residents free access to medical services and treatment.
The signatories of non-governmental organizations and associations of this statement are as follow:
1- South Africa Blue Cross Society (ICBC)- South Africa
2- People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)- India
3- International Human Rights Commission- Bangladesh
4- Italian Democratic Lawyers
5- Citizens’ Watch- Russia
6- International Society for Human Rights (ISHR)-Australia
7- Action of Christians Against Torture (ACAT)- Netherlands
8- Action of Christians Against Torture (ACAT)- Switzerland
9- Change Nepalese Mission (CNM)
10- World Students Peace Federation- Pakistan
11- World Peace Committee (WPC)- Malaysia
12- Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights
13- Association of Global Humanists & Ethics (AGHE)- Pakistan
14- Fazaldad Human Rights Institute – Pakistan
15- Everyone Group – Italy

SI DE NECKER
AMBASSADOR AT LARGE
SOUTH AFRICAN BLUE CROSS SOCIETY

FOCL Members: International Parliament for Safety and Peace, Time 4 World Peace, World Peace Committee-Egypt, African Youth Panel, International Youth Council, International World Students’ Peace Federation, ICBC South Africa Blue Cross Society, International Blue Cross Movement Mobile: +27786792770 Email: focliberty@gmail.com