August 19, 2012

Statement of the Canadian Friends of a Democratic Iran:
Transfer of sixth convoy of Ashraf residents to Liberty, where minimum humanitarian needs are not met yet, is a courageous move by Mrs. Rajavi

Canadian Friends of a Democratic Iran is on one hand happy that the long stalled relocation process of Ashraf residents, has resumed, and on the other, worried that this courageous move by the residents and their leaders are not fully appreciated by the US, UN and EU.
We urge the US to first fulfill its obligation under international law and its own written commitment to ensure the safety and security of Ashraf and Liberty residents, and second to follow the US own Court order and expeditiously remove FTO designation of PMOI/MEK before another humanitarian catastrophe unfolds due to this unjust designation.
The inaction of US and EU member states in accepting and resettling Iranian refugees of Ashraf and Liberty can partially be blamed on the US FTO designation. Although the EU countries removed PMOI from their respective list years ago, the disastrous continuation of the listing in the US, and Canada, has not only led to deadly killings of the residents by the Iraqi government, it made EU member states reluctant to accept these unarmed, defenceless refugees.
It is high time that the US takes immediate and practical steps to heal the wounds of injustice inflicted upon Ashraf and Liberty residents. Despite our lack of understanding that continues until now that why Ashraf residents who had accepted to resettle in third countries, had to go through this immensely inhuman process of going to Liberty as an interim step, on the insistence of Mrs. Rajavi and personal guarantees of Secretary Clinton, they accepted to go through this painful and needless process. That goodwill has not been reciprocated. The UN approval of Liberty as meeting humanitarian standards and irresponsibility of the UN and UNAMI in even demanding the Iraqi government to uphold its commitment under the terms of the MOU signed with the UN, is another chapter that is being judged by conscience people of the world and will be written in history books.
The first step for the US and Canada that must be accomplished immediately is the removal of the PMOI from the list of proscribed organizations.

Hon. David Kilgour, JD
Co-Chair. Ottawa