USCCAR Deplores Iraqi Forces' Assault on Ashraf Residents, Calls for US and UN Immediate Intervention

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR) deplores the August 24, 2010, assault on and severe beating of two residents of Camp Ashraf by the Iraqi forces. It urges the United States and the United Nations to intervene immediately to halt the blatant violation of Iraq's written assurances on humane treatment of Ashraf residents.

USSCAR also calls on the United Nations Secretary General, the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to also intervene to lift all restrictions placed on Camp Ashraf.

Camp Ashraf is home to 3,400 members and sympathizers of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). In July 2009, the Iraqi forces launched a deadly attack on defenseless and unarmed residents of the Camp, murdering 11 and wounding more than 500.

On August 24, 2010, Iraqi forces used armored vehicles to block one of the Camp's main streets and obstructed the residents' free movement. The following day, two Iraqi Intelligence officers in an aggressive and hostile act dragged two residents of Ashraf, Rahman Mohammadian and Hossein Kaghazian, from their vehicle at gun point and beat them up severely. They threatened to arrest and expel the residents.

USCCAR also voices grave concern over the Iraqi forces denying access to specialized doctors by patients in Ashraf who are suffering from terminal illnesses. Four patients are in critical condition, including one suffering from cancer of the kidney.

There are also ominous indications that Iraqi authorities are setting the stage for another attack on Camp Ashraf. In early July, the Iranian state media announced that Iraq has issued arrest warrants for 39 residents of Camp Ashraf.

These developments have exacerbated concerns about the fate of the residents of Ashraf since the departure of the US forces from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Grizzly and the UNAMI monitoring team from Camp Ashraf.

USCCAR urges President Obama, as called for by the House Resolution 704, co-sponsored by a bi-partisan majority, to "take all necessary and appropriate steps to support the commitments of the United States under international law and treaty obligations to ensure the physical security and protection of Camp Ashraf residents against inhumane treatment and involuntary deportation by Iraqi security forces."

SOURCE US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR)