Iraqi MPs call on UN chief to guarantee Ashraf-Liberty residents’ rights

Dr. Zafer al-Ani, Secretary General of National Future Society and a senior Iraqiya Coalition member, along with all MPs from the National Future Society, issued a letter calling on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to guarantee the rights of Ashraf and Liberty residents and provide necessary humanitarian needs in Liberty.
The text of this letter is as follows:
Mr. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,
We the signatories of this statement from the Iraqi National Future Society Faction express our deepest concerns on the latest developments related to the conditions of Ashraf and Liberty residents. We consider Martin Kobler’s latest report to the Security Council in this regard as a biased report. The truth is that 2,000 Ashraf residents have transferred to Liberty against their desire and by forgoing their legal and basic rights after living in Ashraf for 25 years, only to prove their good will. Liberty is a location where a report issued by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions in the 63rd UN Human Rights Council session last month practically described the conditions as similar to a detention center. During the five months that the residents’ transfer is taking place, in contrast to the initial commitments and against claims that Liberty is a temporary location, not even one person has been transferred to a third country and there is no short-term prospect for this either.
We believe that Ashraf residents, despite bearing irreparable humanitarian damages during the past years, have always proven their commitment to a peaceful solution. They have always said they are prepared for the transfer if minimum humanitarian necessities are provided for. They have announced their readiness to assume the procedural responsibilities of these minimum humanitarian necessities and accept its heavy costs.
Therefore, while supporting their demands, we urgently call on you as the UN Secretary-General to intervene actively and impel the Iraqi government to act responsibly and with understanding in providing minimum humanitarian needs and guarantee their protection and security.