Two members of the Iraqi Parliament from the Kurdish Coalition stressed Baghdad must abide by international conventions and customs in relations to Ashraf and Liberty residents.

Iraqi MP Jamil Adel Yazidan (Kurdish Coalition, Member of the Parliament Human Rights Commission):
“There are numerous complaints about the humanitarian conditions at Liberty and therefore it is necessary for the Parliament Human Rights Commission and the UNHCR to look into this matter.
“Negligence on this subject will taint Iraq’s name and the Iraqi government must be committed to international human rights standards because any measure taking place in violation of international laws will tarnish Iraq’s image.”
This Iraqi MP called on the government to resist regional pressures in this regard, and on the situation in Liberty and Ashraf it must remain committed to religious and humanitarian morals and values, and international laws and conventions.

Iraqi MP Ms. Najiba Najib (Kurdish Coalition):
“It would have been right for the United Nations to assume a more humanitarian role in guaranteeing PMOI members’ rights in Iraq. Human rights organizations must work harder for the refugees in Liberty. They must continuously follow up on the issue and provide for all the humanitarian and medical necessities and other vital supplies.
“The Human Rights Commission in the Iraqi Parliament has a vast amount of information about the events taking place in Ashraf and Liberty. We … as the people’s representatives emphasize on Iraq’s commitment to international conventions and agreements in relation to the PMOI,” Ms. Najib said.
 “We should not forget the days we ourselves were opposition forces. The PMOI are free to express their mind and the Iraqi government must protect them and remain obligated to all international covenants safeguarding their human rights based on the Fourth Geneva Convention,” she added.
“We support the rights of all political refugees, because the rights of refugees opposing the regime ruling their country are an internationally recognized matter and we must respect it,” Ms. Najiba Najid continued.