The Nationwide Indian Workers’ Union (Hind Mazdoor Sabha), consisting of 4.5 million workers and 2,300 workers’ unions, in a statement, urged the Iraqi government to acknowledge immediate termination of Camp Ashraf siege and to recognize Ashraf residents’ rights. It also called the diplomatic community in Iraq, particularly the European Union and the U.S. government, for immediate action to guarantee Ashraf protection.

The text of the statement is as follows: 

HIND MAZDOOR SABHA

         Statement

Save trade unionists and residents in Camp Ashraf

Pressure on the labor movement in Iran has been on the rise in recent months. The world has witnessed conditions worsening in the past few years and even family members of labor activists are arrested, harassed and abused.

A year has passed since the Iraqi security forces launched an unprovoked attack against the defenseless residents of Ashraf on July 28th and 29th, 2009. These attacks left 11 residents dead, 500 injured and 36 others taken hostage. The hostages were freed in critical conditions after a 72 day hunger strike and an international campaign of protests calling for their release.

After the July 2009 catastrophe in Camp Ashraf, United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq, UNAMI established a monitoring office in the camp, depending on protection provided by the presence of US forces in Ashraf. Due to the policy of gradually withdrawing from Iraq, US forces evacuated Camp Ashraf on July 2nd, 2010. As a result, UNAMI closed down its office in Ashraf and the residents are presently facing a very dangerous situation.

The residents of Ashraf are currently enduring very severe conditions. Therefore, the European Union and the Iraqi diplomatic society, and especially the United States must guarantee the protection of Ashraf residents. They must call on the Iraqi government to respect the rights of Ashraf residents under the International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. Also, the Iraqi government must quickly and unconditionally put an end to the inhumane blockade enforced on Ashraf residents since the beginning of 2009.

R.A.Mital
Secretary
Hind Mazdoor Sabha

(HMS)