Staffan de Mistura, The United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative for Iraq, in answer to the letter by Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Vice President of the European Parliament, appreciated the work of the European Parliament in the promotion of human rights worldwide, and regarding the Ahraf residents stressed: “With regard to the situation of the residents of Ashraf Camp, UNAMI’s position was clarified in its periodic human rights reports, and to which you refer in your letter. We continue to assess any risks faced by any individual of non-voluntary repatriation to his or her country of origin, and take the view that no person should be deported, expelled or repatriated in violation of the principle of non-refoulement or displaced inside Iraq in violation of the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law. UNAMI will continue to discharge its human rights mandate through a process of regular assessments and in the light of any new developments.

Mr. de Mistura reminded: “Through its own mandate under the terms of UN Security Council resolution 1770 (2007), UNAMI engages in the promotion and protection of human rights and strengthening the rule of law in cooperation with the Government of Iraq and non-governmental actors. This includes monitoring the situation of vulnerable groups, including women and children, religious and ethnic minorities, third country nationals and others, and advocates accordingly with the relevant governmental authorities to ensure the protection of their rights. “