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Amnesty International: Iraqi forces continue to make life difficult for Camp Ashraf residents
3/7/2010
NCRI , 06 March 2010 -
The latest report by Amnesty International regarding the situation of human rights in Iraq says 'Iraqi security forces continue to make life difficult for the residents' of Camp Ashraf 'which houses some 3400 members or supporters of the People’s Mojahedeen Organization of Iran (PMOI), an Iranian opposition group.'
With regards Camp Ashraf, AI report on March 1, 2010 wrote:
'On 28 July 2009, Iraqi security forces stormed Camp Ashraf, north of Baghdad, home to about 3,500 Iranian refugees and detained 36 residents. The 36 were subsequently reported to have been tortured, including by being beaten with batons and guns. Several people needed medical treatment for their injuries.'
'The Iraqi government has continued to threaten Iranian refugees living in Camp Ashraf with forcible removal from the camp. On 28 July Iraqi security forces raided and took over the camp, in Diyala Governorate, which houses some 3400 members or supporters of the People’s Mojahedeen Organization of Iran (PMOI), an Iranian opposition group.
'The camp had been under US military control since 2003 until the SOFA agreement came into force at the beginning of 2009. During the raid Iraqi forces used force against the camp residents. In video footage filmed at the time, Iraqi forces could be seen deliberately driving military vehicles into crowds of unarmed protesting camp residents. Further, live ammunition was used resulting in at least nine residents being shot dead. Another 36 were detained and subjected to beatings and torture. They were in poor health and staged a hunger strike against their detention and ill-treatment. The 36 remained held in al-Khalis police station, also in Diyala, although an investigative judge ordered their release. They were moved to Baghdad and only released in October after international protests.
The Iraqi government reportedly wanted to move Camp Ashraf residents to another camp in southern Iraq and gave the residents an ultimatum to move by 15 December 2009 or they would be moved by force. However, by late February 2010 no forced removal had taken place, although
Iraqi security forces continue to make life difficult for the residents.'
Amnesty International Iraqi forces continue11060.docx
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