Ashraf: UN Secretary-General's Special Representative Should Report to Security Council Iraqi Government's Breach of MOU and Prevention of Providing Humanitarian Requirements

BRUSSELS, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Report by International Committee of In Search of Justice (ISJ) to UN Security Council

In a letter addressed to UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon, Prof. Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Vice President of the European Parliament and President of the International Committee of In Search of Justice (ISJ), sent him today the Committee's report on developments in Ashraf and Liberty during the period between the Council's two sessions. Copies were sent to members of the Security Council.

The report which has been prepared in 10 sections, after reviewing the events in the past three months in two camps of Ashraf and Liberty, presents urgent and necessary requirements for completion of relocation of Ashraf residents to Liberty in 10 and 5 articles respectively to the Security Council and asks the Council to support it.

While condemning the Iraqi government's behaviour and obstructions in providing Ashraf residents' minimum humanitarian requirements for relocation to Camp Liberty, International Committee of In Search of Justice (ISJ) underscores in its report that any relocation to Liberty without providing these minimums might bear catastrophic consequences to the residents.

The report specifies that the Government of Iraq (GOI) has repeatedly violated the 'Memorandum of Understanding' since seven months ago when it was signed by the GOI and UN, and has infringed most of the pledges it has given through the UN and U.S. government to Ashraf residents for relocation to Liberty.

The fifth group moved to Liberty on May 4 while all promises made by the GOI, UN Secretary General Special Representative (SRSG), Ambassador Martin Kobler and the U.S. Secretary of States' special advisor, Ambassador Dan Fried, were left unfulfilled. In the course of this move, Iraqi agents returned six utility trucks, which were being transferred upon Iraq and UNAMI's agreement, in a totally arbitrary manner.

Subsequently, the residents and their representatives articulated their demands in six articles in their numerous letters to UN and U.S.

Following the meeting between the SRSG and Mrs. Maryam Rajavi on 1 July in presence of a group of American and European observers, there were two separate proposals made by American and European personalities present demanding the residents to approve the relocation of the sixth convoy after the 10 points (which contained a part of the six demands of the residents) are fulfilled.

But the GOI has fulfilled only part of two points out of 10 by transferring some of residents' property and 300 out of thousands of residents' air-conditioners to Liberty.

However, until now, at least 8 points have remained unresolved including connection of Liberty to the city water network or pumping water from a river adjacent to the camp, transfer of the main generators of 1.5 Mega Watt, allowing the sale of the movable and immovable properties and its start, constructions of special facilities for disabled and ill people, transfer of the six utility vehicles, three vehicles and 6 trailers for the disabled, transfer of 5 forklifts and 50 passenger cars.

There is an excuse about changing demands of the residents. This has no substance. They have constantly restricted their demands with maximum goodwill seeking a peaceful relocation. But the GOI has not abided by its commitments.

The report specifies that all residents' demands are in the context of MOU and in the context of International Humanitarian Law and international human rights. GOI's refraining from implementing them is not justified whatsoever.

It would be very regrettable if the SRSG or the U.S. Secretary of State's Special Advisor put the residents under pressure for resuming relocation instead of pressuring the GOI to fulfill these demands. We strongly believe that continuation and completion of relocation must be done after these minimums are met.

If the GOI defies implementing these minimums, the first step should be by the SRSG to report the obstructions of Iraq with no reservation to the Security Council calling for its active intervention.

It would be very unjust if the SRSG addresses both sides equally in the Security Council and, as usual, asks them to cooperate with each other. The fact is that the residents have adhered to all their commitments and 2,000 of the residents have moved to Liberty; while it has been the Iraqi government that has violated all its commitments. The SRSG should acknowledge this fact in the Security Council that it is extremely inhumane to prevent the resolution of water and electricity problems, the transfer of passenger cars as well as vehicles and trailers of the disabled, and to bar the sale of the residents' properties.

Alejo Vidal-Quadras

Vice-President of the European Parliament

President, International Committee of In Search of Justice

International Committee of In Search of Justice (ISJ) enjoys the support of over 4,000 parliamentarians throughout the world