Kurdish MPs, assemblies call on UN to recognize Liberty as refugee camp
Twelve political and civil assemblies along with 26 MPs in Iraqi Kurdistan issued a statement welcoming the removal of the name of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran from the US terrorist list, calling on the US government and United Nations to recognize Liberty as a refugee camp and provide and guarantee Ashraf and Liberty residents’ protection and rights.
The published statement reads:
“Ashraf residents have been transferred to a new location named Liberty and a small number have remained in Ashraf to finalize their property. The humanitarian situation in Liberty is very inadequate considering the provision of the most basic necessities.
“Relocating these refugees from Ashraf to Liberty, despite taking place under the supervision of the UN and the US government supporting it, has not been voluntary as the UN Secretary-General had requested. In the mean time, in contrast to what was promised by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Iraq, Liberty is not a suitable site due to its humanitarian and living conditions.”
The statement also adds:
“When Ashraf residents handed over their weapons to US Army forces in 2003, the US government signed an agreement with them to protect them, because it was clear the Iranian regime would strike, as it took place following the transfer of the camp dossier in the beginning of 2009 from US forces to the Iraqi government. The threats continue to this very day.”
MPs and political and civil societies in Iraqi Kurdistan demanded the following:
First: Until these refugees are in “Liberty”, the UN must recognize this site as a “refugee camp” to have the residents’ rights protected and their humanitarian demands implemented. It is necessary that the US government and European Union support this request, especially the US which has responsibilities towards Ashraf residents’ protection and security from 2003.
Second: Considering the negative impacts of the PMOI designation in the US on the fate of Ashraf residents, we alongside thousands of MPs from across the world welcome the removal of the PMOI from the US State Department’s list.
Third: If the Iraqi government is truly not abiding by foreign orders and its intent is merely for these Iranian refugees to depart Iraq, the best solution is to facilitate and assist these refugees’ humanitarian requests in Liberty.”

Signatories:
26 MPs in the Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament from various factions
Shahu Guran, renowned Kurdish writer and journalist
Iraqi Kurdistan political and civil societies including:
Federation of Non-Government Organization in Iraqi Kurdistan
Association of Kurdish Freedom Loving Women
Association to Defend the Refugees
Association of Friendship Between Free Nations
Kurdish Intellectual Assembly
Kurdish Writers Council
Kurdish Youth Association
Kurdish Committee in Defense of Ashraf
Hippocratic Oath Association
Physicians and Academicians Society for Defense of Human Rights
Kurdistan Committee of Friendship with Iranian People
The Civil Organization of Labor