The Iraqi Counsel in Defense of Human Rights in Iraq issued a statement condemning the repressive measures of Maliki’s forces against Ashraf residents despite their agreement to transfer to Liberty.
Excerpts of this statement are as follows:
“The Iraqi Counsel in Defense of Human Rights in Iraq” condemns the measures and police methods of the uncivilized and inhumane forces of Maliki against Ashraf residents after their agreement to relocate from Camp Ashraf to Liberty. The Iraqi Counsel in Defense of Human Rights calls on the United Nations, the US and EU to force the Iraqi government to abide by and implement the articles of the agreement. Guarantees given to Ashraf residents consist of: no Iraqi police forces inside Camp Liberty; Ashraf residents visiting their lawyers and family members; freedom of movement based on the fact that they are refugees, not prisoners, according to the official statement of the UNHCR; unfettered access for the ill to hospitals in Baghdad and other cities at the residents’ own expenses.
“The Iraqi Counsel in Defense of Human Rights in Iraq once again stresses to all relevant international parties, meaning the UN, US and EU that these assurances and the provision of these necessities are the minimum demands based on the standards of human rights and refugee rights, and the need to respect these rights.”