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Great dangerous of Iranian refugees in Iraq
Maryam Namzi - 18.04.2003 15:23
Maryam Namazie's Letter to UNHCR about the PMOI and Iranian refugees
in Iraq
April 18, 2003
Hambastegi English Number 151, 18 April 2003
Mr. Ruud Lubbers
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Geneva
Switzerland
Dear Mr. Lubbers:
The International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) is extremely concerned about the perilous situation of the membership and leadership of the People's Mujahedeen
Organisation of Iran (PMOI) in Iraq.
Following the bombardment of the PMOI bases in Iraq by USA forces - with the full
knowledge of the Islamic regime of Iran - fleeing PMOI members seeking protection have been denied entry into Jordan. According to news reports, more than 70 members of the PMOI have been stuck in no man's land two
kilometres from Jordan's Al-Karama border post with Iraq. Many of them are reported to have refugee status from various countries already. Jordan is waiting for a commitment by the Islamic regime of Iran or the
countries that have granted refugee status to some of them that they will take the
necessary measures to 'repatriate' them,
before allowing them into the country. According to Jordan, third country refugees must be repatriated to their host country or their country of origin in line with mutual
agreements reached. IFIR urges the UNHCR to immediately intervene so that the refugees and asylum seekers are permitted entry and granted protection and that non-refoulement is ensured. Furthermore, IFIR calls on the
UNHCR to ensure that the PMOI leadership is not extradited to Iran as requested by the Islamic regime of Iran. Clearly, any form of extradition, return or refoulement will place their lives and safety under serious threat. The UNHCR is duty-bound to guarantee their safety and protection. The PMOI is a
political opposition group and its members and leadership will face capital punishment, torture and other cruel, inhuman and
degrading punishment should they be refouled to Iran.
IFIR is also concerned about a group of 114 Iranian refugees who have fled from Al-Tash refugee camp in Iraq due to insecurity to the Jordanian border. Al-Tash is 120 kilometres west of Baghdad and holds more than 14,000 Iranian refugees. IFIR calls on the UNHCR to ensure that Jordan allow these 114 and any others who are forced to flee entry and protection from refoulement.
IFIR reiterates its demands as mentioned in our letter to you dated 31 March:
1. Stop the slaughter of the Iraqi people immediately.
2. Open all borders to Iraqi refugees. Closing of borders by any government is a crime. No group or government can prevent the movement of refugees.
3. Recognise the right to asylum for all Iraqi refugees and asylum seekers.
4. Stop all deportations to Iraq and the region.
5. Provide necessary food, shelter, health care and sanitation to Iraqis, refugees and internally displaced via non-governmental agencies.
6. Transfer 100,000 refugees in Iraq, including Iranians, to safe
places.
Your immediate intervention is requested.
Sincerely,
Maryam Namazie
Executive Director
Cc. International human rights organisations
 E-Mail: ifir@ukonline.co.uk  Website: http://www.hambastegi.org
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| Read more about: Agenda | | supplements | | | Mujahedeen targets | Peacemonger - 18.04.2003 16:58
From what I saw on tv last night, the US are consciously and deliberately fighting the Mujahedeen in Iraq. They are considered "legitimate targets".
I don't know if anyone thought of telling them it might not be a good idea (let alone legal or any sort of annoying detail like that)
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