USCCAR to US Officials: "Thank You for Not Forgetting Our Loved Ones in Iraq"

USCCAR to US Officials: "Thank You for Not Forgetting Our Loved Ones in Iraq"

US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents commends efforts of US officials, past and present, who are working with the Obama Administration and human rights advocates to facilitate a peaceful, prompt resolution to the humanitarian crisis facing thousands in Camps Ashraf and Liberty in Iraq

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On behalf of thousands of Iranian-Americans whose loved ones are facing a humanitarian crisis as refugees in Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty in Iraq, the US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR) expresses its gratitude to the many current and former senior US officials, Members of Congress, and renowned human rights advocates who are keeping hope alive. Their principled and steadfast defense of our loved ones - currently under Iraq's unceasing threat of violence and subject to daily excruciating humiliation, cruelty, and intimidation as the UN and US look the other way - is a constant reminder to the US government of its moral and legal obligations to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of these men, women, and children.

Camp Ashraf has been home for the past 26 years to thousands of members of Iran's principal opposition group, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK) and their families. Since February, some 2,000 residents have relocated to a tiny, dilapidated section of Camp Liberty, near Baghdad international airport.

A bi-partisan group of nearly two-hundred lawmakers, from both the US Senate and House of Representatives, has co-sponsored several resolutions, passed amendments, written letters to the US administration, and held closed and public Congressional hearings to probe the Iraqi government's atrocities against our loved ones - including two massacres that murdered dozens of unarmed Ashraf residents - and to call on the US government to abide by the humanitarian and international obligations. We appreciate these crucial, continuing efforts.

We applaud the nearly two dozen former national security, counter-terrorism, and military officials who filed an amicus brief with the US Federal District Court in Washington concerning the State Department's unlawful delay in deciding on the unjustifiable designation of the MEK as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization [FTO]." These leaders argued, based on their expertise, that "The presence of [MEK] on the list of terrorist organizations itself places thousands of people at Camp Ashraf in jeopardy and interferes with the ability to move them to safety."

Indeed, the Court document states that "The amici are individuals who, by virtue of their former longstanding service as senior public officials, are in a position to know, and who do know, that there is no evidence that [MEK] has the capability or intent to engage in terrorism or terrorist activities. They believe that [MEK] is not a terrorist organization, and that it should be removed from the FTO list."

USCCAR is also thankful for the humanitarian outreach by high-ranking US officials who, at the behest of the US government, entered into benevolent discussions with the MEK leadership to facilitate a peaceful and safe resolution to the humanitarian crisis in camps Ashraf and Liberty.

The efforts of these patriotic men and women to uphold America's moral values and obligations are particularly appreciated as they have shown enormous valor amid a decadent, venomous, and orchestrated campaign to discredit them and the cause.

USCCAR condemns this disinformation campaign, primarily advanced by the lobbyists of Iran's religious dictatorship in the US and fueled by such discredited MEK detractors as Danielle Pletka, as it intends to hinder progress on achieving a peaceful solution to the humanitarian crisis that confronts our loved ones and malign unimpeachable public servants to satisfaction of Iran rulers. 

CONTACT: Majid Roshan, US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents, +1-202-640-1947

SOURCE US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR)

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