UNAMI, Baghdad, 18 February 2012 – The United Nations welcomes the safe relocation today of around 400 residents from Camp New Iraq (formerly Camp Ashraf) to Camp Hurriya, the new temporary transit location for the residents.
“I commend the residents for their decision to move to Camp Hurriya. This is the first step towards a better future outside Iraq. I look forward to their continued cooperation with the Iraqi authorities to complete the relocation without delay,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Martin Kobler, who was present when the residents arrived at Camp Hurriya.

“I also commend the Iraqi authorities for having ensured a safe and secure relocation of the first group of residents. I urge them to pursue the relocation of the remaining residents in a manner that continues to guarantee the human rights, safety and welfare of all residents,” SRSG Kobler added.
Today’s voluntary relocation is in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 25 December 2011 between the United Nations and the Government of Iraq. Under this agreement, the U.N. refugee agency, the UNHCR, will start immediately upon the arrival of the first residents in Camp Hurriya the verification and refugee status determinations. This is an essential step to prepare the submissions of eligible candidates for resettlement to third countries.
Also according to the MoU, the U.N. will monitor the entire relocation process from Camp New Iraq to Camp Hurriya and provide round-the-clock human rights monitoring at Camp Hurriya.
“The U.N. will continue to uphold its commitment to facilitate, in an impartial manner, a peaceful and durable solution to this humanitarian situation,” said SRSG Kobler.
“Now that a first group of residents has moved to Camp Hurriya and UNHCR is ready to start its work, it’s time for the international community to confirm its readiness to accept eligible candidates,” he added.