Following Nouri Maliki’s remarks on the eve of his trip to Iran on 6 August saying that “The presence of the PMOI in Iraq is detrimental to Iran’s security”, the International Committee of Red Cross(ICRC) discussed its concern about the situation of Ashraf residents with the relevant Iraqi authorities and mentioned them the Iraqi government’s duties regarding Ashraf residents in the context of international law and International Humanitarian Law, especially third common article in Geneva conventions which applies to the PMOI in Ashraf.

In its official letter to the Iraqi minister of human rights, the ICRC particularly reiterated that the members of the PMOI in Iraq are subject to the principle of non-refoulement (prohibition on expulsion or forced repatriation).