U.S. Must Hold Iraq's Maliki Accountable for Attacks Against Iranian Dissidents, Demand Release of seven Iranian Hostages

News provided by

Nov 05, 2013, 12:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued by the OIAC:

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki visited Washington, DC last week to meet with administration officials and to seek continued U.S. support for his government.

Before he arrived, however, he ordered his Special Forces to attack Camp Ashraf, home to Iranian dissidents on September 1, 2013. Fifty-two were murdered, execution-style, and seven residents, including six women, were taken hostage. Despite Maliki's denial of any responsibility, senior US military commanders, eyewitnesses, members of Congress, and human rights activists have pointed either to Iraqi government's involvement or its complicity in the deadly assault.

In 2004, US Government recognized 3200 Ashraf residents as "protected persons" under the Fourth Geneva Convention but in 2009 transferred their protection to the Iraqi government in contravention of international its treaty obligations and written commitments to the residents. Since then, 112 residents have been murdered in five separate attacks.

In a letter to President Obama simultaneous with Maliki's U.S. visit, senators John McCain (R-AZ), Carl Levin (D-MI), James Inhofe (R-OK), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Bob Corker (R-TN), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), wrote: "... Attacks against the residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq are reprehensible, especially because the Iraqi government pledged to protect these people. Prime Minister Maliki must understand that actions such as these need to stop."

They were joined by Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) and 44 bi-partisan colleagues who urged the President to reduce further assistance to the Iraqi government until it releases the seven hostages and ensures the protection of the remaining Iranian dissidents now in Camp Liberty.

The Organization of Iranian Communities (OIAC) commends the U.S. lawmakers for expressing concern for the safety of the residents of Camp Liberty. It also grateful to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair, Rep. Rep. Edward Royce (R-CA) for raising the issue of Ashraf and Liberty in his meeting with Maliki.

We reiterate the need for the United States to hold Iraq accountable for the lethal attacks and for ensuring the release of the seven hostages.

The only enduring solution for the 3000 Liberty residents is their expeditious resettlement outside of Iraq. In the meantime, the United Nations must be urged to station a small but proportional Blue Helmet Force or UN personnel at Camp Liberty to act as a buffer between the belligerent Iraqi security forces and Liberty's residents.