Iraqi Forces Carry on Orders of Tehran Ayatollahs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 24, 2010 -- For Immediate Release
February 24, 2010
Iraqi Forces Carry on Orders of Tehran Ayatollahs
Iranian Refugees in Camp Ashraf being Treated Inhumanely

On Tuesday February 16, 2010, Iraqi forces under the command of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maleki and his government joined agents of the Iranian regime in a campaign of psychological warfare against the residents of Camp Ashraf. Iraqi forces are facilitating the actions of several Iranian agents who intend to disrupt, harass, and intimidate residents of Camp Ashraf.

Although no independent reporters have been allowed entry into the camp, Iraqi forces took selected reporters to the entrance gates of the camp in order to promote the false claim made by the Iranian agents, that the residents of Ashraf are denying their own relatives permission to enter the camp. These claims come in light of the fact that Iraqi forces have complete control over all traffic in and out of the camp. This campaign and escalation of psychological warfare against residents of Camp Ashraf has reached alarming heights, as Iraqi forces seem ready and willing to serve as agents of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Ali Khamenei.

These actions also come in the wake of continual harassment and mistreatment of the families of residents of Camp Ashraf who have come to Iraq over the past year in order to visit their loved ones. Similarly Iran has stepped up pressure on family members of residents of Ashraf inside the country, and arresting many and even charging some as “enemies of god”, which according to the Ayatollahs laws, carries an automatic death sentence.

Persian language news reports out of the camp clearly show loud speakers being used at the entrance of the camp to not only serve as a means of psychological warfare on camp residents, but communicate clear and direct threats that the camp residents "will be all hung to death" on the spot.
The Iranian American Community of Southern California, whose members have friends and family inside Camp Ashraf, strongly condemns the actions of the Prime Minister Al-Maleki, as furthering the interests of the Iranian regime, and promoting a dangerous campaign that could lead to violence. We urge UNAMI and all other relevant International organization to take immediate action in regards to the refugees in Camp Ashraf and afford them all the rights of protections they are due under international law.

BACKGROUND: During the Iraqi government's July 28, 2009 raid of Camp Ashraf, 11 unarmed residents were slain; over 500 were wounded; and 36 were taken hostage. Camp Ashraf is still occupied by Iraqi forces and a human catastrophe is looming for all 3400 residents of the camp. All camp residents are "protected persons" under the 4th Geneva Convention. Every individual in Ashraf has signed an agreement with the United States government in which the U.S. guaranteed to protect them. Government of Iraq had given the U.S. written assurances of humane treatment of Camp Ashraf residents. International human rights organizations, including the Amnesty International, have in various statements expressed concern about the grave humanitarian conditions faced by Ashraf residents. Camp Ashraf is home to nearly 3,400 members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) and their families.

Contact: Nasser Sharif
Tel:(562)221-8000
Email:Nasser.sharif@californiasdi.org