Declaration of Non-Governmental Organizations with UN consultative status
International Herald Tribune, 3 Feb 2012
We call on the Iraqi authorities to prevent turning Camp Liberty into a prison. We also call on the UN Security Council and UNAMI to guarantee the minimum standards of safety, security and well-being of the residents in the new camp and call on the UNHCR to start its work in Ashraf and end the delay in affirming the refugee status of the residents. While the international community is planning to find a peaceful solution for Ashraf and the residents are helping to make it come true through the relinquishment of their certain rights, the Iranian regime is planning for the failure of this solution through the Iraqi government.
The initial area allocated to the residents in Camp Liberty has reduced by 80 times and the living conditions in the camp are far less than initially proposed. The limited area is becoming enclosed by concrete walls; it is insisted that Iraqi police should be present inside the camp; freedom of movement is not allowed; there are increasing restrictions for the residents such as not being allowed to move in their own vehicles from Ashraf to Camp Liberty and transferring them in buses of the Iraqi forces after thorough body search and taking their personal belongings away from them. This will be a forcible relocation to a prison.
On 30 January, Ambassador of the Iranian regime impudently announced that consular representatives of the Iranian regime will be present in Camp Liberty. This is naturally a red line for the residents.
We urge the Iraqi government to abandon the obstructions and stop transforming Camp Liberty into a prison. We also urge the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to prevent the relocation of Ashraf residents until the camp meets the international standards, and urge the UNHCR to defend the residents’ rights within the laws and to immediately start its work in Ashraf, and not wait until Camp Liberty is ready, in order to expedite the residents’ resettlement in third countries.
We also call on the UNAMI and the UNHCR to make separate arrangements for an expeditious transfer of Ashraf residents to third countries.

– France Libertés
– Movement against Racism and for Friendship between Peoples (MRAP)
– International Education Development (IED)
– Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational Transparty
– Women’s Human Rights International Association (WHRIA)
– Marangopoulus Foundation for Human Rights
– Espace Afrique International

Warning: Unrealistic and inverse depiction of prison conditions at Camp Liberty set state for attack and suppression of Ashraf residents

The latest update by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
1 February 2012
Camp New Iraq (formerly Camp Ashraf) residents and the determination of their refugee status claims
 
– UNHCR has been for some time and remains ready to undertake verification and refugee status adjudication for the residents of Camp New Iraq (formerly Camp Ashraf) who are persons of concern. It has mobilized teams on the ground, and has put in place the necessary soft and hard ware support capabilities. Individual interviews will need to take place in a safe, neutral and confidential location.
– The stipulation of the Government of Iraq remains that these processes take place outside Camp New Iraq, in the new location which is being provisioned to enable the residents voluntarily to move there and to stay on a temporary basis in safe and decent conditions. UNHCR has been advising on the technicalities of improving the camp infrastructure.
– UNHCR attaches utmost importance to peaceful solutions being found, including that any relocation outside Camp New Iraq proceed on a voluntary basis, with freedom of movement the most desirable state at the site of relocation.
– UNHCR is currently looking at how to expedite verification and RSD processing so as to enable it to be done on an individual basis fairly, fully but also speedily, in the interests of gaining time against tight deadlines.