German Solidarity Committee for a Free Iran, headed by Mrs. Ingrid Holzhüter (Former member of German parliament Bundestag), sent a letter to the Multi National Forces Commander and expressed its deep concern over Ashraf protection transfer.

The letter reads:
Dear General Petraeus,
I would like to bring to your attention the great concern of the Iran Solidarity Committee for a free Iran (DSFI), which consists dozens of Member of Parliament in Germany, about the Situation of the Iranian Resistance (People’s Mojahedin Organization PMOI) in Ashraf in Iraq.
We have learnt from relatives of the Iranians residing in Ashraf City, Iraq, that the Coalition intends to hand over control of Ashraf to Iraqi forces. We have also come to learn of a June 17, 2008 directive by the Iraqi Council of Ministers which listed numerous worrying measures to be taken against the residents of Ashraf.

Of great concern is this directive’s decision to expel the residents of Ashraf from Iraq. Given the status of all Ashraf residents as “Protected Persons” under the Fourth Geneva Convention, this decision is a flagrant violation of international law and the principal of non-refoulement.

The directive also includes a provision to bring Ashraf under the full control of the Iraqi government and bans all contact with the People’s Mojahedin in Ashraf. These provisions are a serious breach of the principal of non-refoulement, as well as international law and International Humanitarian Law. Thus, they pave the way for a great humanitarian catastrophe and massacre.