On July 19th the issue of Iraq will be debated in the Security Council, in which the UN Special Representative on Iraq, Martin Kobler, will present a report by UNAMI. A part of his report will deal with the current situation in Camp Ashraf and Camp Hurriya- formerly, Camp Liberty. Camp Ashraf has been the home of exiled Iranians who oppose the regime ruling Tehran for over 25 years, and who are being forced to move to a former US Military camp near Baghdad, by the Iraqi government. The UN Secretary General’s July 7th report, which has been already published on the UNAMI website refers to the humanitarian situation in the camps and the upcoming July 20th deadline set for the continuation of the resettlement. In the report the UN calls on the Iraqi government to increase efforts to ensure humanitarian standards are met, and Camp Ashraf residents are called to show more flexibility so the resettlement process continues successfully.
In the report it is also noted that since May 4th, 2012, when the 5th group of 400 people were transferred, no further transfers have taken place. Responsibility of which lies with the Iraqi government, which has shown no interest in creating decent humane conditions in the new refugee camp. The report explicitly points out that the Iraqi government insists on the closure of Camp Ashraf and Hurriya, while stating that the necessity of a peaceful process in the continuation of the transfer is also key. It is also noted that the interview process and registration methods of the UNHCR have prolonged and the whole process will last longer than anticipated.
In assessing the current situation, the first issue to be addressed must be the starting point of this whole issue and the reasoning behind it; meaning the decision of the Iraqi government to close Camp Ashraf, and the fact that the inhabitants of Camp Ashraf have consented to resettlement in a new interim camp, prior to their final displacement to safe third countries. It should also be noted that Camp Ashraf was a well-functioning community, while Camp Hurriya does not meet the previous living conditions of Ashraf residents by any means. However, Ashraf residents are willing and capable of improving the situation in Camp Hurriya with their own funds and equipment, so the situation there can meet up to decent norms and standards. Thus the UN should undertake all efforts in order to achieve the above wishes. Accordingly, the Iraqi authorities must be asked to show support in this initiative and to show cooperation in this regard. Currently, the immunity of Iranian dissidents in this camp is by no means assured. Iraq is obliged to provide the protection of these.
Secondly, the international community must clearly state that the ultimate goal remains the safe transfer of residents to third countries, which should proceed expeditiously. Reaching a solution for this refugee issue would be a significant contribution to relaxation efforts in this difficult region, and also an emphatic proof of the seriousness of the UN’s human rights policies, which can only have a positive and beneficial impact in the complex and difficult relations with Iran.
Berlin – July 18th, 2012
Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth, former presiden of the German Federal Parliament Bundestag
Prof. Günter Verheugen, former Vice-President of the European Commission
Gerhart Baum, former German Federal Interior Minister
Klaus Bresser, former chief editor of German 2. TV ZDF
Otto Bernhardt, board member of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and former finance policy spokesman of the CDU / CSU parliamentary group
