Declaration

Members of the consultative committee of Human Rights Council
Geneva, August 10, 2012

The appalling situation of 3,400 Iranian dissidents in Iraq, including a thousand women, has long been a matter of grave concern. After the United States handed over the protection of Camp Ashraf to Iraq authorities, in January 2009, restrictions were imposed on Camp Ashraf.  In July 2009 and April 2011, Iraqi forces attacked the defenseless residents of Camp Ashraf killing 47 residents and wounding hundreds more. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the use of violence against unarmed and defenseless residents.

In May 2011, the Iraqi authorities announced that Camp Ashraf was to be closed by the end of the year 2011.

On 13 September 2011, the UNHCR recognized the residents of Achraf as “asylum-seekers under the international law” who should “enjoy basic protection rights to security and well-being”. They are also protected by Geneva Convention.

To prevent further bloodshed and under pressure  so far 2,000 asylum-seekers agreed to moved to Camp Liberty.

Ten members of the consultative committee warned during the January 2012 session against turning camp Liberty into a prison.

According to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, “the conditions in Camp Liberty are synonymous with those in a detention centre, (…) and that such detention is not in conformity with the standards and principles of international human rights law, and more specifically violates article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 9 and 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”  (A/HRC/WGAD/2012/16)

The UNSG Special Representative appears to turn a blind eye on the illegal and inhumane measures adopted by the Iraqi government, which violate the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 25 December 2011 between the UN and the Iraqi government. In particular, the MoU stipulated that “The government of the Republic of Iraq … shall ensure (…) the transit locations meet humanitarian and human rights standards”.

According to news agency reports, in a meeting in Baghdad on 31 July, Faleh Fayaz, the national security advisor of Prime Minister Maliki said that extension for the closure of Camp Ashraf has ended and from now Iraq will take “measures towards its lawful and legitimate responsibilities to enforce Iraq’s sovereignty”. He was quoted as saying Iraq “will force out Iran dissident group”. This is but a prelude for the third massacre in Ashraf and yet another humanitarian disaster.
The Iraqi government is refusing to provide the minimum humanitarian needs of the residents and even preventing them from doing it themselves.
If there is any genuine desire by Iraq for a peaceful resolution to the crisis, it should facilitate the provision of the needs for the relocation of the remaining residents in Ashraf. The residents have already demonstrated their flexibility and cooperation by facilitating the relocations of 2000 people.
Their needs are: Connection of Liberty to the city water network or pumping water from a nearby canal adjacent to the camp, transfer of the main generators of 1.5 Mega Watt, allowing the sale of the movable and immovable properties, minimum constructions particularly of special facilities for disabled and ill people, transfer of the six utility vehicles, 6 trailers for the disabled, transfer of 5 forklifts and 50 passenger cars, all of which belong to the residents of Ashraf.
It is conceived that the intention behind rejecting fulfillment of the residents’ humanitarian needs is not to expedite the relocation but rather to destroy the living condition of the residents.
Hence, we call for immediate intervention of the UN Secretary General, the US Secretary Hilary Clinton and the international community to prevent another humanitarian disaster. UN Secretary General should appoint a personal Envoy to oversee the Ashraf case.
The US and UN must firmly request the Iraqi government to fulfill the basic humanitarian needs of the residents. Only then the relocation can take place.
According to international law and based on mutual agreement signed between every single resident of Ashraf and the US government, this country is responsible for protection of Ashraf and Liberty residents. Therefore Secretary Clinton must take all the necessary steps to guarantee the safety of the residents of Ashraf and prevent the Iraqi Government from taking any hostile action against the residents.