Amnesty International Statement on MEK in Ashraf Welcomed But Not Enough
Kazem Kazerounian
September 01, 2008
A few hours ago, Amnesty International issued an statement directed at the Iraqi and US governments reiterating their legal obligation under Fourth Geneva convention and International Humanitarian Law in protecting members of the Iranian Opposition group MEK in Ashraf, Iraq. In its statement, Amnesty International reminds both governments that " members of the PMOI in Iraq are ´protected persons´ under international humanitarian law and, therefore, should not be expelled or forcibly returned to Iran."
Pointing to the recent statements made by various Iraqi officials including Prime Minister Nuri Kamil al-Maliki, ´Abd al-´Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, one of the main political parties represented in the Iraq government, as well as Iraq´s government spokesperson Ali al-Dabbagh, the Amnesty International statement condemned actions or declarations by that explicitly or implicitly calls for placing the Ashraf residents at the risk of being returned to the Iranian regime or being placed under their control.
In this statement Amnesty International urged both the Iraq´s government and the coalition forces to "provide promptly a firm assurance that they will prevent the forcible return to Iran of any Iranian refugees and asylum seekers, currently in Iraq, who would be at serious risk of torture or persecution there, respecting the principle of non-refoulement."
The Amnesty International statement is welcomed by all those who are concerned about a threatening humanitarian tragedy in Ashraf. However it is not enough.
The Iranian Qods force has infiltrated the Iraqi forces. The large majority of the terrorist activities, according to the US commanders in the region, are planed and many carried out by their surrogate units. Numerous times in the past three years, these forces have conducted sabotage operations against Ashraf. They have assassinated individual Iraqi´s that have helped in providing the basic necessities to Ashraf residents who are constrained in leaving the camp. Iranian armed forces have repeatedly conducted missile attacks on Ashraf.
In light of these activities, while the Amnesty International statement is welcomed, it is only a small step in what is needed to protect the residents of Ashraf. MEK members in Iraq have had no role in creating the circumstances. They were no party to the Gulf war. This was the basis for them to be recognized as the "protected persons". The protection of Ashraf residents is the sole responsibility of the Coalition Forces and cannot be transferred. It is commendable that the Amnesty International has reminded the powers in Iraq of their legal and humanitarian obligations. Nonetheless, a detailed, cohesive and assuring plan by all parties involved (US, Iraq, United Nation, Amnesty International, MEK) is yet to be presented. Iranian mullahs are not a party to this issue and should not be given a seat at this table.
Professor Kazerounian Preaches at the University of Connecticut.
Pointing to the recent statements made by various Iraqi officials including Prime Minister Nuri Kamil al-Maliki, ´Abd al-´Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, one of the main political parties represented in the Iraq government, as well as Iraq´s government spokesperson Ali al-Dabbagh, the Amnesty International statement condemned actions or declarations by that explicitly or implicitly calls for placing the Ashraf residents at the risk of being returned to the Iranian regime or being placed under their control.
In this statement Amnesty International urged both the Iraq´s government and the coalition forces to "provide promptly a firm assurance that they will prevent the forcible return to Iran of any Iranian refugees and asylum seekers, currently in Iraq, who would be at serious risk of torture or persecution there, respecting the principle of non-refoulement."
The Amnesty International statement is welcomed by all those who are concerned about a threatening humanitarian tragedy in Ashraf. However it is not enough.
The Iranian Qods force has infiltrated the Iraqi forces. The large majority of the terrorist activities, according to the US commanders in the region, are planed and many carried out by their surrogate units. Numerous times in the past three years, these forces have conducted sabotage operations against Ashraf. They have assassinated individual Iraqi´s that have helped in providing the basic necessities to Ashraf residents who are constrained in leaving the camp. Iranian armed forces have repeatedly conducted missile attacks on Ashraf.
In light of these activities, while the Amnesty International statement is welcomed, it is only a small step in what is needed to protect the residents of Ashraf. MEK members in Iraq have had no role in creating the circumstances. They were no party to the Gulf war. This was the basis for them to be recognized as the "protected persons". The protection of Ashraf residents is the sole responsibility of the Coalition Forces and cannot be transferred. It is commendable that the Amnesty International has reminded the powers in Iraq of their legal and humanitarian obligations. Nonetheless, a detailed, cohesive and assuring plan by all parties involved (US, Iraq, United Nation, Amnesty International, MEK) is yet to be presented. Iranian mullahs are not a party to this issue and should not be given a seat at this table.
Professor Kazerounian Preaches at the University of Connecticut.
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