Iraqi physicians demand medical siege imposed on Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf to be lifted, Kuwait’s al-Arab al-Yowm reported. 700 Iraqi physicians and medical staff signed a joint declaration, published by the Iraqi Committee in Defense of Ashraf, condemning the 8 April 2011 massacre in Ashraf at the hands of Iraqi security forces. The signatories stressed that depriving the residents from medical care shows the harsh conditions these refugees are enduring.
This declaration seriously criticizes the prevention of the residents’ access to medical specialists and also the delivery of medicine procured through the residents’ own expenses. Furthermore, the signatories called on the Iraqi government to end the siege on Ashraf and treat the residents in a humane manner.
It is worth noting that as a result of medicine being banned for the camp, a number of residents have lost their lives during the past months.