Tuesday, December 02, 2008
In a parliamentary session in Sidney- Australia, with participation of a number of parliament members and political and human rights personalities, the issue of Ashraf City protection in Iraq and also the latest human rights situation in Iran was discussed.

This session was held in New South Wales Parliament with coordination of the Association of Australian Supporters of Democracy in Iran” and ” Association of Defense for Freedom and Human Rights in Iran”.

The speakers of the session were Mrs. Sonia Hornery, member of Parliament from Labor Party and Minister of Road and Transportation of the South Wales province, Mrs. Silvia Hill, Member of Parliament from Green Party, Mr. Philip Glendening, chairman of the Edmund Rice Center Organization, Mr. Stephan Walker, member of Association of Australian Supporters of Democracy in Iran. The session was chaired by former Senator Boris Child.

In his speech, Philip Glendening said: “In order to investigate the refugees situation , our organization has referred to 22 countries and investigated 253 cases directly; out of these 22 countries, one could mention Iran as one of the worst countries under investigation.”

Referring to his personal experience in visiting Iran, he said that during his trip they found that 4 Iranians who had been extradited to the Iran by the former Australian government had been murdered by the regime.”

Philip Glendening then elaborated his experience of meeting some members and supporters of the Iranian Resistance and Said: “I found them the people with humanitarian identity and personality that despite all pressures exerted on them by the Iranian regime and Western countries in cooperation with the mullahs’ regime, they continue their struggle. I have to say that terrorist designation of the PMOI is a shameful action, and we ask for removal of the PMOI from the terrorist list. ”

The next speaker was Stephan Walker who discussed the legal status of the Ashraf residents based on the international conventions and law and emphasized that the US Forces are responsible for the protection of the Ashraf City so long as the American forces stay in Iraq according to these laws. He added that any kind of transferring protection would violate the international law.

Referring to her visit with Mrs. Rajavi, Mrs. Sonia Hornery said: “She is an excellent leader. Meeting Maryam was a great experience for me. She represents a free Iran, the same Iran that we have gathered here for tonight. Late October, Maryam won the hearts of the Italian people and the support of majority of Italian Senate.

In the final part of the session, Mrs. Hill asked Boris Child, the session chair, to read the joint declaration of 4 parliamentarian members of the Green party in NSW state. The declaration addresses the US ambassador to Australia and asks the US government to respect the legal rights of the Ashraf residents.