jeudi 26 septembre 2013

Violation of Human Rights in Iran during a Week 08 September 2013

At a Glance

International Condemnation of massacred in the refugee

Camp of Ashraf in Iraq


UNAMI delegation visits Camp Ashraf to assess the situation following reports of massacre
http://unami.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2790&ctl=Details&mid=5079&ItemID=1884772&language=en-US
Baghdad, 3 September 2013 - 24 hours after the tragic events that took place in Camp Ashraf, a UNAMI delegation led by the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (DSRSG), Mr. Gyorgy Busztin, and including UNAMI Chief of Human Rights and of Medical Sections, conducted a visit to the camp yesterday, where they met separately with the camp’s surviving residents and the commander of Diyala’s Police. كوردى
 Inside the camp, the delegation witnessed 52 bodies in a makeshift morgue. All the deceased appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds, the majority of them in the head and the upper body, and several with their hands tied. The delegation also saw several damaged buildings, including one burnt, and was shown quantities of explosives. 
The delegation was informed by the camp’s residents that seven persons were still missing.

After UNAMI’s mediation between the Iraqi authorities and the camp’s residents, the latter agreed to allow Iraqi ambulances to transport the bodies of the deceased to the morgue in Baquba. The Chief of Human Rights Office and other members of the delegation remained in Camp Ashraf for further monitoring. 

Reiterating his previous statement, the UN Envoy expressed his outrage at the brutal killing of the camp’s residents. Mr. Busztin took note of the statement issued by the Government of Iraq announcing it has initiated its own investigation into the tragic events and acknowledging its responsibility for the safety of the camp’s residents. “I call on the Iraqi government to ensure that a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into this atrocious crime is conducted without delay and that the results of the investigation are made public”, he said. 

Underscoring the utmost volatility of the situation, as Camp Ashraf does not provide an adequate level of security for its residents, Mr. Busztin affirmed that “until the camps residents are relocated to safety, all measures must be taken to protect their lives”.


UNAMI urges all parties to act responsibly in the relocation process to Camp Hurriya
http://unami.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2790&ctl=Details&mid=5079&ItemID=1900958&language=en-US
Baghdad, 7 September 2013 – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has been informed that the Government of Iraq has served an order to relocate the remaining residents of Camp Ashraf to Camp Hurriya. The United Nations believes that the Iraqi Government will move to enforce this order without delay.  كوردى
 “We strongly hope all parties will act responsibly and that the process of relocation to Camp Hurriya will be peaceful and voluntary,” the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Iraq, Mr. Gyorgy Busztin, said. 
The UN Envoy repeatedly urged both sides to act responsibly and to show restraint to prevent any violence during the relocation process. “The United Nations has made tireless efforts to facilitate an agreement between the two sides, and went every extra mile for peaceful relocation,” Mr. Busztin added.  

“The UN stands ready to monitor the process, should an agreement be reached between all parties involved to relocate voluntarily to Camp Hurriya,” Mr. Busztin concluded. 

Ban deplores attack on Iranian exile camp north of Baghdad
1 September 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned an attack on an Iranian exile camp near the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, and urged the Government to launch an investigation into what happened.
“The Secretary-General deplores the tragic events in Camp Ashraf today that have reportedly left 47 killed,” his spokesperson said in a statement. “He expresses his sorrow and extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.”
Iraqi authorities have confirmed that medical support is being delivered to the Camp, according to the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
Camp Ashraf is comprised of Iranian exiles, many of them members of a group known as the People's Mojahedeen of Iran.
More than 3,000 residents have been relocated to a transit facility know as Camp Liberty while the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) carries out a process to determine their refugee status, and resettle them outside of the country, in line with an agreement signed in December 2011 between the UN and the Iraqi Government.
This resettlement is a priority for UNAMI, in whose work Mr. Ban reiterated that he has “full support for and his absolute confidence”.
The UN mission said it intends to rapidly conduct it own assessment of the violence.
In today's statement, Mr. Ban urged the Government to restore security in the Camp and stressed that it is its responsibility to “ensure the safety and security” of the residents.
He also called for the Government of Iraq to promptly investigate the incident and disclose the findings.

UNHCR statement on today's attack on Iraq's Camp Ashraf
Press Releases, 1 September 2013
UNHCR has received reports this morning of an attack on Camp Ashraf, in eastern Iraq.
While we are still seeking detail of what occurred it appears that deadly force has been used and that a number of people have been killed or wounded. UNHCR strongly condemns this attack. The use of violence against a civilian population is unacceptable in any circumstances.
We call on the Iraqi authorities to immediately ensure the security of the residents. It is important that the violence stop and that medical help be urgently provided for the wounded.


Updated: Warning graphic photos: Sept. 1 massacre of Camp Ashraf Iranians
Published on Sunday, 01 September 2013 12:44



Camp Ashraf: 60 professional killers of Iraq's Maliki massacred Iranian dissidents

Published on Tuesday, 03 September 2013 18:15
NCRI - In an earlier statement, the Iranian Resistance had disclosed part of details of the September 1 massacre in Camp Ashraf. Below, further details on this crime that vividly reveals the role of Iraq’s prime ministry are given:
1- Sixty men in the assaulting force belonged to Maliki’s special division called “Golden Division”. This division is composed of professional killers and already has been named by Americans as “Dirty Division”.
2. On Saturday, August 31, Major General Jamil Shemeri, Commander of Diyala Police, sent a number of officers of the battalion protecting Camp Ashraf to forced leave so that they would not get information on the details of this assault and its perpetrators. On Saturday night, Jamil Shemeri got himself stationed in Camp Ashraf to command and oversee the operation.
3. Following the September 1 massacre, Shemeri briefed all police and army forces in Camp Ashraf to state that they are not aware of the massacre and the attack on Camp Ashraf.
4. A group of eight, experts in working with explosives, were taken from the prime ministry in Baghdad to Ashraf a few hours before the assault in two taxis that belong to Iraqi security organs. They were briefed by the intelligence to begin the operation.
5. Beside exploding many vehicles, trailers, rooms and other facilities in Ashraf, the assaulting force planted explosives on many vehicles to be detonated from remote distance.
6. As advised by regime’s ambassador in Baghdad, Jamil Shemeri asked a judge in Khalis town to issue a warrant for him and his forces to enter Camp Ashraf so that his suppressive measures and the slaughter of residents would have judicial backing as well. The judge had agreed to issue the warrant.
7. A day prior to the assault (August 31), a meeting was held at the police headquarters in Khalis where Commander of Diyala Police, Commander of Diyala Operations, Commander of the 5th Division stationed in Diyala, and the Commander of the protective force in Ashraf participated. In the meeting, several military and security commanders from Baghdad also participated, but they wore plainclothes to hide their identities. In the meeting, Staff Brigadier General Ragheb Hamid Abbas, Commander of Diyala Federal Police; Colonel Anwar Shemeri, Commander of SWAT forces in Diyala; and Ghassan al-Khazran, director of Khalis police, were also present.
8. Lieutenant General Ali Ghaidan, Commander of Iraqi Army, participated in that meeting via telephone communication and issued final orders for the attack. Ghaidan has been summoned by the Spanish National Court for his role as commander of the April 8 massacre in Camp Ashraf.
9. Brigadier General Ragheb Hamid is from the IRGC 9 Badr group and because of his active role in the slaughter of Hawija, he was elevated to brigadier general.


U.S. Condemns Attack at Camp Ashraf in Iraq
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 1, 2013
The United States strongly condemns the terrible events that took place at Camp Ashraf today, which according to various reports resulted in the deaths of and injuries to numerous camp residents. Our condolences go out to the families of the victims and those who were injured in today’s violence.

We are deeply concerned about these reports and are in regular contact with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), as well as Government of Iraq officials. We support UNAMI's efforts to conduct its own assessment of the situation and call on the Government of Iraq to fully support those efforts.

We further call on Iraqi authorities to act with urgency to immediately ensure medical assistance to the wounded and to secure the camp against any further violence or harm to the residents. We underscore the responsibility of the Government of Iraq and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of residents at both Camp Ashraf and Camp Hurriyah, and we affirm the call by UNAMI for a full and independent investigation into this terrible and tragic event. Those found to be responsible must be held fully accountable.



Situation at Camp Ashraf in Iraq
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 6, 2013
We are continuing to follow with urgency the situation at Camp Ashraf in Iraq. The United States reiterates its condemnation of the horrific attack that took place on September 1 and we express our condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
We further reiterate our support for the United Nations Assistance Mission (UNAMI) and its efforts to conduct an independent fact finding investigation into this terrible event and to document what took place. We have called on the Government of Iraq to fully support UNAMI’s efforts to conduct a full investigation of its own and to help find and return to safety those who are missing. We insist that the perpetrators of this barbarous act be brought to justice.
We also note the troubling statements issued by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) praising the attack, and call on the Government of Iran to use whatever influence it might have with groups that may be holding missing persons from the camp to secure their immediate release.
Regarding the immediate situation at Camp Ashraf, we urge all parties to cooperate with a plan proposed by UNAMI to ensure the safe and secure relocation of the survivors to Camp Hurriya as soon as possible. Consistent with this plan, we call on the Government of Iraq to move expeditiously to enhance security structures within Camp Hurriya, pursuant to the plan discussed with UNAMI, and we call on the MEK to make all necessary preparations to move remaining residents at Camp Ashraf to Camp Hurriya in full cooperation with UNAMI. The United States stands behind the UNAMI efforts to resolve this crisis.
The State Department has appointed a Senior Advisor for MEK Resettlement, Jonathan Winer, to oversee our efforts to help resettle the residents of Camp Hurriya to safe, permanent, and secure locations outside of Iraq, in addition to those countries, such as Albania, that have admirably assisted the United Nations in this important humanitarian mission.


Canada Condemns Latest Violence in Iraq
September 1, 2013 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander today issued the following statement:
Canada condemns the attack that has taken the lives of scores of residents in a camp housing Iranian exiles northeast of Baghdad.
“Our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims of this senseless violence. We also wish a full recovery to those injured.
“We call on the Government of Iraq to protect these individuals and continue to work within the United Nations framework.
“Although reports remain unconfirmed as to who was responsible for this act of violence, Canada will be raising our concerns directly with Iraqi officials. Canada urges that those responsible are brought to justice.”
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
613-995-1874




European Union                                                      Brussels, 2 September 2013
A 438/13
Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton
on the killing of residents at Camp Ashraf

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission issued the following statement today:

"I condemn in the strongest terms the killings that took place at Camp Ashraf yesterday, which according to various reports claimed the lives of numerous camp residents. My
sincere condolences go out to the families of the victims and I extend my wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were injured in yesterday's violence.

The circumstances in which this brutal incident took place must be clarified and those found to be responsible must be held fully accountable. I welcome the decision of the Government of Iraq to open an inquiry. I further call on the Iraqi authorities to ensure that the residents of the Camp are protected from any further violence and that the wounded obtain all necessary medical assistance.

The EU is committed to a peaceful solution of the Camp Ashraf issue and I fully support U'AMI's decision, under its humanitarian mandate, to conduct an independent and transparent assessment of this tragic event. I call on all parties and particularly the Government of Iraq to facilitate U'AMI's fact-finding efforts."


Press release

Foreign Office Minister condemns violence at Camp Ashraf, Iraq
Published 2 September 2013
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt appalled to hear of Sunday's violence at Camp Ashraf in Iraq.
Foreign Office Minister, Alistair Burt, said:
I am appalled to hear of the violence at Camp Ashraf in Iraq, which we understand has resulted in the death of many camp residents. We condemn this utterly, and our thoughts go out to the families of the victims.
Our Embassy in Baghdad is in close contact with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq, who are making an urgent assessment of the situation. We support their work, and call on the Government of Iraq to assist the UN fully. The Government of Iraq must also do everything necessary to ensure the safety of the residents and care for survivors, and must conduct an urgent and transparent investigation into what took place, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Iraq: France strongly condemns the violence in the refugee Camp of Ashraf on 1 September (September 2, 2013)

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/iraq-304/events-2526/article/iraq-camp-ashraf-02-09-13 Share on

France strongly condemns the violence in Camp Ashraf on 1 September. It extends its condolences to the victims’ families and close friends.
Violence against civilians, particularly refugees, is unacceptable.
France recalls that it is the Iraqi authorities’ responsibility to ensure the security of the refugee camps, including Camps Ashraf and Hurriya, and provide the necessary medical assistance to the injured. It would like the Iraqi government to launch an independent, in-depth report enabling full light to be shed on the violence and enabling its perpetrators to be prosecuted.
France reaffirms its support for the action of the High Commissioner for Refugees and the efforts of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). It welcomes their determination to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the situation in Camp Ashraf, and reiterates its commitment to the implementation, under the best conditions, of the memorandum of understanding signed by UNAMI and Iraq in December 2011


IRAQ, Camp Ashraf: a very serious incident. The Iraqi Government must clarify what happened
Roma 02 September 2013
“A very serious incident which arouses deep concern. The loss of human lives is completely unacceptable and must be condemned with the utmost firmness”. This was Foreign Minister Emma Bonino’s statement on the news from Camp Ashraf.
“We expect the Iraqi Government to clarify immediately the details of an incident which appears, from the information available at present, to be dramatic. The safety of the residents of Camp Ashraf must be guaranteed”, underscored the foreign minister. “Any form of violence, from whichever side, is intolerable”.
“The immediate priority is for the Iraqi authorities to provide all necessary help to the wounded”, continued Minister Bonino. “But the question of refugees in Iraq must be resolved, definitively, as soon as possible, on the basis of full respect for their fundamental rights. To persuade the Iraqi Government to pursue this objective without delay, Italy will continue to act in close coordination with the European Union and the United Nations. The UN mission in the area must be able to operate with the utmost freedom of action”.


Press releases

Iraq: Impartial investigation of Camp Ashraf deaths crucial

2 September 2013
Amnesty International urges the Iraqi authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into violence at Camp Ashraf that reportedly left at least 47 dead on 1 September.
“On previous occasions the Iraqi authorities have failed to conduct effective investigations into attacks on camps housing Iranian exiles. This has meant that no one has been held accountable for these incidents, and that residents live in constant fear for their safety,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International. 
“The authorities must ensure that an inquiry into yesterday’s violence is promptly carried out and that it is independent, transparent and in full conformity with international standards.”  
The circumstances of the event are disputed. Residents claim that Iraqi security forces attacked the camp and killed several residents. Several victims were allegedly arrested and hand-cuffed before being shot dead. However, Iraqi officials have provided different accounts of what happened, including blaming infighting among camp residents. 
Some 100 Iranian exiles remained at Camp Ashraf, after most of the camp’s inhabitants were relocated to Camp Liberty in north eastern Baghdad in recent years. 
Earlier this year deadly attacks were launched against Camp Liberty.  On 15 June 2013 Camp Liberty, now home to more than 3000 Iranian exiles, came under rocket attack. Two residents were killed and dozens were wounded. An earlier rocket attack on Camp Liberty on 9 February 2013 left eight residents dead and scores wounded.  No effective investigations are known to have been conducted into either attack. 
A leader of the Mukhtar Army, a Shi’a militia, has told the media on several occasions that his group was responsible for attacks on Camp Liberty. Despite these admissions, no effective measures to prevent possible attacks by the Mukhtar Army against the Iranian exiles are known to have been taken by the Iraqi authorities
“The failure of the Iraqi authorities to investigate and bring to justice those allegedly responsible for previous attacks is unacceptable and is putting lives at risk,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. “The government of Iraq is responsible for the safety and security of all the residents of Camp Liberty and Camp Ashraf and must take immediate measures to ensure their protection.” 
Background:
Camp Ashraf previously housed some 3400 Iranian exiles, mostly members and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI) who were allowed to move to Iraq by Saddam Hussain’s government in the 1980s. 
After the March 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq the Camp and its residents were placed under US protection but this ended in mid-2009 following an agreement between the US authorities and the Iraqi government. Barely a month later, on 28-29 July 2009, Iraqi security forces stormed the camp; at least nine residents were killed and many more were injured. Thirty-six residents who were detained were allegedly tortured and beaten. 
In April 2011, Iraqi troops stormed Camp Ashraf in Diyala governorate. The troops used excessive force, including live ammunition, against the residents who tried to resist them. At least 36 people were killed and more than 300 injured. The government failed to conduct a prompt, thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into the incident, in breach of international standards, including the UN Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions. 
In 2011 the Iraqi government announced the closure of Camp Ashraf after relocating its residents to a new location, Camp Liberty in north-east of Baghdad. After the majority of residents had been relocated about 100 people were allowed to stay behind in Camp Ashraf in order to resolve remaining property issues.
According to a December 2011 memorandum of understanding between the UN and the government of Iraq, the UNHCR may process requests for international protection from residents of the camps. Those residents who apply for international protection are asylum seekers under international law.


Iraq: the authorities must investigate into 1st September killings at Camp Ashraf
Last Update 3 September 2013

FIDH and the League for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran (LDDHI) call on the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to release as soon as possible its report of investigation into the acts of violence perpetrated in Camp Ashraf [1] on 1st September, which led to the death of possibly up to 52 camp residents. Both organizations also urge the Iraqi authorities to immediately launch an independent and impartial investigation as the government has pledged to do.

The UNAMI team, which visited Camp Ashraf on 2nd September, is due to establish the number of people who died on Sunday and the cause for their deaths.

In any case, the primary responsibility for the events that occurred on Sunday lies with the Iraqi authorities. While the circumstances of the attack remain unclear as of today, FIDH firmly hopes that no government orders were issued to attack the camp, and that the government’s own investigation into what can only be labelled as ’extra-judicial killings’ will lead to the arrest and fair trial of the perpetrators, declared Dr Karim Lahidji, FIDH president.

Following a December 2011 Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations and the Iraqi government, the UNHCR has been processing requests for international protection from more than 3,000 residents of Camp Ashraf, most of whom have since then been transferred to Camp Hurriya (formerly known as Camp Liberty) in north eastern Baghdad.

UNAMI and UNHCR have deployed noticeable efforts to resettle these Iranian exiles abroad. While the resettlement of at least 162 - mostly in Albania - is a first good step, the recent incident, which comes in the wake of other attacks against Camp Hurriya’s residents in 2013 , makes it even more urgent to speed up the process, in compliance with international refugee law", Karim Lahidji added.

Finally, FIDH is extremely worried by the statement of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, which welcomed and endorsed the killing of Camp Ashraf’s residents as “a historical revenge of brave children of martyred Iraqi mujaheds”. This can only imply involvement in or supporting such extra-judicial killings.

Footnotes

[1Camp Ashraf previously hosted some 3400 Iranian exiles, mostly members and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI) who were allowed to move to Iraq by Saddam Hussain’s government in the 1980s. In 2009, the Iraqi authorities took over from US authorities the responsibility for the safety and security of all the camp’s residents. In 2011, the Iraqi government announced the closure of Camp Ashraf after relocating its residents to a new location, Camp Liberty in north-east of Baghdad. After the majority of residents had been relocated, about 100 people were allowed to stay behind in Camp Ashraf in order to resolve the remaining property issues.


PRESS RELEASE
Iraq: OMCT condemns the recent attack on Camp Ashraf

Geneva, 4 September 2013. The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) urges the United Nations (UN) to carry out an investigation into the recent attack on Camp Ashraf, an Iranian exiles camp located in Iraq, on 1st September 2013, that left 52 people dead and several injured.
According to the information received, Iraqi security forces attacked Camp Ashraf early on 1stSeptember 2013, where about 100 people lived after most of its residents were relocated to Camp Liberty in 2012. According to a UNAMI press release, “all the deceased appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds, the majority of them in the head and the upper body, and several with their hands tied”[1]. OMCT is also gravely concerned about the whereabouts and fate of seven residents, who were reportedly abducted during the attack, and urges the authorities to immediately release them.
“The attack has to be investigated promptly and independently in accordance with international standards, and those responsible for this attack have to be brought to justice”, said Gerald Staberock, Secretary General of OMCT.
OMCT has already expressed many times its concern over the security conditions for the residents of both camps, including after the rocket and mortar attack on Camp Liberty in February 2013 that left eight people dead and several injured. OMCT recalls that Iraq has clear obligations under international human rights law to ensure the safety of both camps residents.
About 3’100 members of the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI), an Iranian opposition group, were relocated in 2012 to a temporary facility nearby Bagdad known as Camp Liberty, after having lived several years in Camp Ashraf. About 100 individuals remained in Camp Ashraf to protect and organise the transfer of the residents’ belongings in line with an agreement reached with the Iraqi government.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has repeatedly recalled that the residents of these camps are asylum seekers underdoing the refugee status determination and thus entitled to international protection.
The OMCT recalls that it considers vital to find a viable and durable solution for the residents of the camps in compliance with human rights law and calls on the international community to step up its efforts to prevent further serious human rights violations against the camps residents.
After the USA handed the protection of Camp Ashraf over to the authorities of Iraq in January 2009 and despite guarantees by the Iraqi government, the camp has been raided on at least two occasions by the Iraqi security forces in view of expulsing its residents and closing the camp. The attacks led to the deaths of 47 residents and hundreds of injured. The residents were also subjected to numerous acts of harassment, among others, family members or lawyers being prevented from entering the camp and the use by Iraqi security forces of powerful loudspeakers to psychologically harass them.

Sunday, 08 September 2013
BAGHDAD (AP) -- Iraqi authorities are planning to relocate the remaining residents of a camp housing dozens of Iranian exiles where 52 people were killed last week, the United Nations mission to the country said Saturday.

The eviction could prove contentious. The Shiite-led Iraqi government long has wanted to remove the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq dissident group from Camp Ashraf, a Saddam Hussein-era compound about 95 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of the Iraqi capital, but the exiles have been extremely reluctant to leave. Baghdad considers their presence inside Iraq illegal.

Thousands of camp residents relocated to a Baghdad-area facility on what is meant to be a temporary basis last year following months of negotiations.

A core of about 100 MEK members stayed behind, 52 of whom were killed in shootings Sunday that the group blames on Iraqi security forces. Another seven people are missing and are believed to be detained, according to the MEK. Iraqi officials contend that an internal dispute was to blame.

The U.N. mission to Iraq said Saturday that Iraqi authorities have ordered the remaining residents from Camp Ashraf to be moved to the Baghdad-area facility, a former U.S. military base known as Camp Liberty. Iraqi officials are expected to carry out the order "without delay," according to the U.N.

Deputy U.N. envoy Gyorgy Busztin called on both sides to exercise restraint to avoid any violence during the relocation. He said the U.N. is ready to monitor the process.

"We strongly hope all parties will act responsibly and that the process of relocation to Camp Hurriya will be peaceful and voluntary," Busztin said.

Ali al-Moussawi, the spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, confirmed that an order has been issued to evict the residents. He declined to say when the transfer would take place, but said the government insists it happen "as soon as possible."

The MEK opposes Iran's clerical leadership. It carried out a series of bombings and assassinations inside Iran in the 1980s and fought alongside Iraqi forces in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. Saddam granted several thousand of its members sanctuary inside Iraq.

The MEK's continued presence inside Iraq long has irritated Iraq's postwar leadership, which has worked to bolster ties with neighboring Shiite powerhouse Iran. The government is highly suspicious of those linked to the former regime.

The group says it renounced violence in 2001 and camp residents were disarmed by U.S. troops after the invasion. The U.S. considered the MEK a terrorist group until last year, and cooperation in leaving Camp Ashraf was a key factor in reversing that designation.

Shahriar Kia, a spokesman for the MEK residents, said in a statement that the Iraqi government is planning to "massacre" the remaining residents and called on the U.S. government to intervene.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, Marie Harf, said in a statement Friday that Washington is following the situation at Camp Ashraf and condemns Sunday's violence while expressing support for U.N. fact-finding efforts. She urged all sides to cooperate with efforts to relocate the residents to Camp Liberty.

Camp Liberty is meant to be a temporary way station for the exiles while the U.N. works to resettle them abroad. MEK supporters have complained about services and security at the compound, which has been repeatedly targeted by militants in deadly rocket attacks. It houses more than 2,800 exiles, according to U.N. figures.

Efforts to resettle the exiles outside Iraq has been slow because the U.N. has had difficulty securing commitments from member states to accept them and because some of them are reluctant to be separated from their comrades. They do not want to return to Iran because they fear persecution there.

A total of 198 former residents of the two camps have been resettled abroad so far, most to Albania.


Execution

A prisoner has been hagned in public in Isfahan
Posted on: 2nd September, 2013
http://hra-news.org/en/a-prisoner-has-been-hagned-in-public-in-isfahan

HRANA News Agency – A prisoner has been hanged in public in Khomeini Shahr on charge of drug trafficking yesterday morning.
According to a report by IRIB, the prosecutor of Khomeini Shahr said: “This prisoner was 32 years old and had been arrested in 2011 on charge of having 740 gr. Krack.”
Gholami said: “The verdict was confirmed by the Iran prosecutor and was enforced in Jouy Abad neighborhood of Khomeini Shahr in public.”




Persian Source: http://www.asriran.com/fa/news/293721/%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D9%82%D8%A7%DA%86%D8%A7%D9%82%DA%86%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1

 

Iran: Man hanged in public in Isfahan

Published on Monday, 02 September 2013 20:47
NCRI - The Iranian regime's henchmen hanged a man in public on Saturday in the city of Isfahan.
The 32-year-old man had been arrested in 2011 on drug related charges. He was hanged in public in Khomeini Shahr district of Isfahan.
According to a report, another man from Balouchestan Province was killed under torture on August 25.
Qasem Zardkouh was arrested in mid-August in the city of Iranshahr and transferred to an unknown location.

The intelligence ministry at first avoided delivering his body to his family and threatened them to keep silent. Signs of torture and beating could clearly be seen on his body.

So far, the number of executions since sham presidential elections in June has reached to at least 143 with 40 taking place after Hassan Rouhani has assumed office.

Last Tuesday, Hassan Rouhani’s government turned down a request by Ahmed Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, to visit the country.
Since two years ago that Ahmed Shaheed has been designated as the United Nations Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran, the ruling mullahs have not allowed him to visit the country and have described his reports as “baseless allegations” and his resources as “terrorists and anti-revolutionaries”.


A Kurdish civilian is sentenced to death
Posted on: 2nd September, 2013
http://hra-news.org/en/a-kurdish-civilian-is-sentenced-to-death
HRANA News Agency – A Kurdish prisoner’s from Salmas death sentence has been confirmed by the Supreme Court and he is now in the danger of execution.
According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a Kurdish civilian from Behyek village of Salmas whose name is Hamid Atmani (Ariana), 30 years old, the son of Farzami, has been sentenced to death by the revolutionary court of Salmas on charge of drug trafficking.
Hamid Atmani had been arrested on June 2012 by the security forces and was in Salmas prison. He has been transferred to Urumie prison when his death sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court.

He can ask for appeal in the next 20 days.


Three Prisoners Executed in Iran- One Hanged in Public
Wednesday, 04 September 2013 18:25
http://iranhr.net/spip.php?article2865
Iran Human Rights - September 3, 2013: Three prisoners were hanged in three different Iranian cities according to the Iranian state media.
According to the Iranian state broadcasting one boy was hanged in the Karoun Prison of Ahwaz (southwestern Iran) today. The prisoner who was identified as Samir (age unknown) was convicted of murder, said the report.
The state broadcasting also reported about public hanging of a prisoner in Khomeini Shahr (Isfahan Province, central Iran) on September 1, and another prisoner in the Adelabad prison of Shiraz on August 31. The first prisoner was 32 year old and convicted of possession of 740 grams of crack. The other prisoner was 36 year old and convicted of a murder 17 years ago, said the report.
None of the prisoners were identified by name.
Persian Source: http://www.mehrnews.com/detail/News/2128196

 

Two Prisoners Hanged in Western Iran- One Hanged in Public
http://iranhr.net/spip.php?article2868
Iran Human Rights, September 5, 2013: One prisoner was hanged publicly in the Western Iranian town of Ilam yesterday morning Wednesday September 4, reported the Iranian state media.
According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA, a prisoner identified as "J. H." was hanged at the Imam Hossein Square of Ilam.
Ali Kamali, the public relation spokesman of Ilam Judiciary told IRNA that "J.H. who was 23 year old and from Ilam was convicted of murdering another person identified as "A. M" 5 years ago".
Since the exact date of birth of the prisoner is not known, Iran Human Rights can not rule out that the prisoner who was executed in Ilam yesterday was a minor at the time of committing the alleged offence.
Another prisoner was hanged in the prison of Sanandaj (Iranian Kurdestan) yesterday, reported the Kurdish website "Kurdpa" (unofficial). The prisoner was identified as "Yunes Asadi" and was convicted of rape, said the report.
Persian Source: http://www.kurdpa.net/farsi/index.php?cat=idame&id=11917

Letter from Death Row: Zanyar and Loghman Moradi Cry for their Lives

September 08, 2013
http://persian2english.com/?p=24660
Zanyar (left) and Loghman (right) Moradi have been imprisoned and in danger of execution since their unlawful arrested on August 2, 2009.

New letter from young Kurdish political prisoners Zanyar and Loghman Moradi, addressed to Dr. Ahmed Shaheed (United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran) and Human Rights advocacy institutions: “Save us from execution!

Dear Dr. Ahmed Shaheed,

RESPECTFUL GREETINGS:
Receiving such a letter [from a political prisoner] may not be anything new to you, but we [Zanyar and Loghman Moradi] [have no option but to] rely on and seek the help of the United Nations and Human Rights organizations in order to prove our innocence and save our lives from the unjust death sentences that have been imposed on us. If needed, we will write [more] letters [to you] in order to save ourselves from our intricate situation and this unjust sentence.
As we have communicated to you before, we have endured much pain and suffering in the past five years. [We have been subjected to:] scenarios fabricated by the Ministry of Intelligence, acts of revenge and hatred aimed to destroy the youth [of this land], isolation from our families, and ordeals better left unsaid so that we [don't conjure up] the bitter and unpleasant memories associated with them. After enduring all the suffering, and despite the spread of information about our situation, we continue to feel extreme agony and fatigue. However, [Human Rights organizations and the United Nations] have helped prevent the spread of our wounds [and the weakening of our resolve by providing us with humanitarian aid]. We owe being alive up until now to their efforts. Another reason is that our innocence has given us the self-confidence to repeatedly state the fact that we have been victims of a false and fabricated judicial case filed against us.
As we have written in the past, in all stages of our case, from arrest to the time the sentence was handed down, the laws were belligerently broken. [Some of these unlawful acts include:] Long and severe torture, which led to the maiming of our bodies; months-long solitary confinement; lack of the possibility to visit with or even make phone calls to our family members; intimidation; personal and religious insults; and forcing us to make false, self-incriminating confessions.
We have no hope in the Islamic Republic to investigate and follow up with our case. However, as two young men on death row, as two men who live under the shadow of imminent death, we expect you to [take the necessary measures] in order to restore the violated rights of us, two Kurdish citizens, and  other prisoners of conscience as well.
Thank you,
Zanyar Moradi
Loghman Moradi
Ghohardasht Prison [Rajai Shahr Prison], Karaj, Iran
September 5, 2013



16 Sunni prisoners were released and 5 sentenced to death
Posted on: 6th September, 2013
http://hra-news.org/en/16-sunni-prisoners-released-5-sentenced-death
HRANA News Agency – Sixteen Sunni prisoners in Rajaie Shahr prison have been released as they spent all of their imprisonment verdict and five priosners have been sentenced to death.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), The Sunni prisoners who were arrested mostly in groups and in mosques have been released after spending their imprisonment verdicts. 
A Sunni prisoner told HRANA reporter that “these 16 prisoners spent all of their verdicts and as they were arrested in groups and mosques some people mislead the story and pretend that the prisoners have been released according to a conditional forgiveness but the reality is that the authorities were against the earlier releasing of even one of them. As well the imprisonment verdict of about 10-12 more Sunni prisoners will end in the next few days.”
 “At the same time five Sunni prisoners have been sentenced to death and in total 25 of us is in danger of execution. Also two Sunni brothers who are in the same ward that we are, have been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in total.”
The following names are the prisoners who have been released:
Seyyed Taha Karimi imprisoned for 20 months
Jafar Pouya imprisoned for 24 months
Masoud Abdollahi imprisoned for 22 months
Naser Pirkherzri imprisoned for 18 months
Mohammad Shafie Rahmanpour imprisoned for 20 months
Ayoub Ebrahimzadeh imprisoned for 20 months
Abdolwahab Maroofzadeh imprisoned for 20 months
Kaveh Rasoulpoor imprisoned for 18 months
Yousef Feizi imprisoned for 20 months
Nemat Azadkhah imprisoned for 20 months
Sherkooh Ghamarivand imprisoned for 20 months
Hadi Moloodi imprisoned for 20 months
Mohammad Najjari imprisoned for 18 months
Hassan Abdollahi imprisoned for 24 months
The websites with trends to regime reported their releasing as a conditional release.


Iran: Three prisoners hanged in Rasht
Published on Sunday, 08 September 2013
NCRI - The Iranian regime's henchmen have hanged three prisoners in a prison in the city of the Rasht on Saturday.
The prisoners have been identified by their initials: M.R., 45; A.A. and A. M. Two of the prisoner had been arrested on drug related charges.
The three victims were executed on Saturday in the city's central prison.
Persian Source: http://www.iribnews.ir/NewsText.aspx?ID=2070953



Prisoners of Conscience

 

Pezhman Zafarmand has been transferred to ward 350 of Evin

Posted on: 2nd September, 2013
http://hra-news.org/en/pezhman-zafarmand-has-been-transferred-to-ward-350-of-evin
HRANA News Agency – Pezhman Zafarmand has been transferred to ward 350 of Evin after 70 days of being in confinement in ward 204 of intelligence office.
According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), this political prisoner who was arrested after the eleventh presidential election, has been transferred to ward 350 of Evin while he was in confinement cells of wards 209 and 204 of Evin.
It is worth mentioning Pezhman Zafarmand was arrested first time in 2009 as a member of writers association and after a month being under arrest he was sentenced to three years of imprisonment by judge Salevati in branch 15 of revolutionary court.




 


Ailing activist transferred to hospital & back to prison
3 September 2013
Committee of Human Rights Reporters – On his 26th day of hunger strike, Hossein Ronaghi Maleki’s physical condition worsens by the day. He is now inflicted with infections in his kidneys and gastrointestinal tract stemming from days of internal bleeding.
According to CHRR, as a result of days of internal bleeding with no access to proper medical care, jailed activist on hunger strike Hossein Ronaghi’s kidneys and gastrointestinal tract are now infected. Per orders of the Tehran Prosecutor to be hospitalized, Hossein Ronaghi was transferred to urgent care at Imam Khomeini hospital today. But when officials attempted to shackle Ronaghi, he refused and was again transferred back to prison. It was the third time he was transferred from prison to a hospital in the past days. On August 28, CHRR reported that Hossein was transferred to Shahid Modarres Hospital and was returned to Evin prison a few hours later. A few days prior to that on August 24, Hossein Ronaghi was transferred to Hasheminjejad Hospital where he underwent some testing and was returned to prison on the same day.
Hossein Ronaghi who was arrested on December 13 2009 endured months in solitary confinement under torture leading to his present health issues. He is inflicted with kidney disease – inflammation, infection, bleeding, damage and loss of function in his kidneys, inflammation of his prostate and bladder, bleeding in his stomach and gastrointestinal tract, frequent urination, and angina. According to the physicians who examined him, the combination of his high heart rate and low blood pressure has put him at great risk of a heart attack.
Hossein Ronaghi’s mother Zoleikha Mousavi who went on hunger strike 15 days ago in support of her ailing son is also in poor health aggravated by a prior heart condition. Numerous human rights activists have expressed their grave concern for the health of Ronaghi and his mother on hunger strike. Maziar Yadegari, human rights activist and former member of Iran Proxy who fled the country after Hossein’s arrest announced that he also launched a hunger strike across the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vienna on August 30 in support of his friend. A few days ago officials from the Embassy of Iran engaged in a confrontation with Maziar Yadegari and after they took away signs about Hossein Ronaghi, the officials were cited a warning by Vienna police.
In the past days human rights organizations have expressed their concern for Hossein Ronaghi while demanding that the authorities in Iran grant immediate access to his medical needs. Reporters without Borders said in a statement “this human rights defender has been unjustly detained for the past four years.” The group said, "We hold judicial authority chief Sadegh Amoli Larijani, Tehran prosecutor Abas Jafari Dolatabadi and justice minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi responsible for the lives of Maleki and his mother."
Amnesty International in a statement on August 30 said Hossein Ronaghi, “prisoner of conscience and blogger on hunger strike to protest his unfair detention must be released immediately and unconditionally to receive treatment as his health deteriorates.” Numerous human rights activists and organizations have written letters of support for Hossein Ronaghi and his mother, and asked that they break their hunger strike to preserve their health.
In a letter from prison to the Tehran Prosecutor, 41 prisoners testified to the very grave health of Hossein Ronaghi, and asked the Tehran Prosecutor Abas Jafari Dolatabadi to “take the steps to transfer him to a hospital where he can receive his necessary medical care.” Today the Tehran Prosecutor issued an order for the ailing blogger to be transferred from Evin prison and this time be hospitalized. However again Hossein Ronaghi was transferred back to prison from the hospital.

The anniversary of 1988 mass executions is still prohibited
Posted on: 6th September, 2013
http://hra-news.org/en/anniversary-1988-mass-executions-still-prohibited
HRANA News Agency – The security forces and polices prevented the anniversary of 1st of September ceremony in Khavaran cemetery.
According to the social networks and Jaras, the agents prevented the families of executed prisoners of 1988 to enter Khavaran cemetery, however, the number of security agents were less compared with the past years.
Jafar Behkish one of executed family members wrote on his Facebook wall that such as the past years the security agents called or summoned the families of the executed prisoner.
The families of executed prisoners of 1988 decided in 1989 to held the anniversary every year on September 1 by gathering in Kahavaran cemetery but every year they were faced limitations and prevention.
As well mother of one of the executed prisoners of 1988 Anoushiravan Lotfi, expressed her condolence in a short message and said “You kept our dears for 25 years without any name, title or tombstone and covered by sand and brushwood.”
She expressed herself as hopefully one day there will be a garden full of flower and wrote “Yes, it was 25 years ago, how fast passed, but what we the families gone through, only we know and no one else could understand.”


Police circulating the prisoners in Sari / pictures
Posted on: 6th September, 2013
http://hra-news.org/en/police-circulating-prisoners-sari-pictures
HRANA News Agency – The Sari Police has arrested some young men and circulated them in city.
According to a report by Sobhe Shomal website, these young men were called as rubbles.
The source says that the circulation was with the verdict of judiciary authorities.







Minorities’ Rights

 Ten personal cars of Sunni prisoners have been confiscated

Posted on: 6th September, 2013
http://hra-news.org/en/ten-personal-cars-sunni-prisoners-confiscated
HRANA News Agency – The cars of 10 Sunni political prisoners of Rajai Shahr prison have been confiscated.
According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), each of these prisoners have received a verdict from the revolutionary court telling them that their cars have been confiscated for the government.
The ten prisoners and their cars are:
Mokhtar Rahimi (Peykan), Mohammad Gharibi (Peykan), Omar Ghader Abdollahi (Peugeot), Foad Ahmad Nouri (Peugeot), Omid Mahmoudi (Peykan), Bahman Rahimi (Jeep), Mohammad Yavar Rahimi (Peugeot), Keykhosro Sharafi Pour (Peykan), Alam Barmashti (Peykan), Teymour Naderzade (Peykan).

Most of these prisoners are from poor Kurdish families.

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