In a message to Ashraf residents, the Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate and renowned defender of human rights in Africa and the world, declared his support for the U.S. HouseResolution 704 regarding guarantee of Ashraf protection. He also voiced support for the grand gathering of Iranians in Taverny, Paris.

The text of message of Honorable the Most Reverend Tutu is as follows:

June 25, 2010

Dear residents of Ashraf,

Following the deadly attacks last year against Ashraf, I supported the stand, of among others the Archbishop of Canterbury, in condemning the attack on Iranian dissident refugees in Camp Ashraf.

I extend my support to the majority resolution 704 in the US House of Representative which calls upon President Obama “to take all necessary and appropriate steps to support the commitments of the United States under international law and treaty obligations to ensure the physical security and protection of Camp Ashraf residents against inhumane treatment and involuntary deportation by Iraqi security forces.” The security of Ashraf residents need to be guaranteed by the US forces in Iraq.

Based on international law and Geneva Conventions the residents of Ashraf are civilian “protected persons”. Therefore, the restrictions and unlawful blockade imposed on them by the government of Iraq must be lifted immediately. As the UN secretary-General stated in his report of May 14, 2010, to the UNSC, the residents’ should have “unhindered access to goods and services of a humanitarian nature”, and they must be “protected from arbitrary mass displacement or forced repatriation against their will in violation of the universally accepted principle of non-refoulement.”

 I also wish success for the large rally of the Iranian democratic opposition in exile this month in Paris which is to support the rights of the Ashraf residents and to support the movement of the Iranian people for democracy and freedom that has been going on unabated since last year despite a severe crackdown and issuing death sentences for the relatives of Ashraf residents and others inside Iran.

God bless you

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond M. Tutu