The Honorable Ban Ki-Moon
UN Secretary General
CC:
U.S. Secretary of State Hon. Hillary Clinton
US Ambassador to Iraq, Hon. James Jeffery
U.N. Special Representative to Iraq, Hon. Martin Kobler
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Hon. Antonio Guterres
New York, February 9, 2012
Dear H. Ban Ki-Moon,
Simultaneous with issuance of reports regarding the Iraqi Government's contravenes of its agreements with the UNAMI in Iraq, after being informed of the UNAMI statement dated 31 January 2012, we would like to share with you our concerns regarding residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq.
Despite of what it is said that Camp Liberty's site meets internationally recognized standards; however, the preparations being made in this site where Camp Ashraf residents are to be transferred are actually in all forms a prison.
Surrounding the camp are 3.6 meter concrete walls with installed cameras isolating the residents from the outside world. The camp is situated in the middle of a complex of Iraqi military bases. Police is present in the camp, and the residents cannot leave the vicinity. There is no drinking or running water in the camp. No functional medical or hygiene center exists in the camp; rather there are buildings for which the residents must provide the necessary equipment and staff. This location lacks any special facilities for the 200 disabled and injured residents settled in Camp Ashraf. The residents have no right to engage in income generating activities. Residents cannot transfer their properties, such as vehicles, except for some personal items or a very limited number of their vehicles.
In the UNHCR’s latest statement about Camp Ashraf, on 1 February it has been said UNHCR attaches utmost importance to peaceful solutions being found, including that any relocation outside Camp Ashraf proceed on a voluntary basis, with freedom of movement the most desirable state at the site of relocation.
We believe that UNAMI and the UN’s name should not be used as a tool to advance the policies of the Iranian regime and Iraqi government against the residents of Ashraf. We are requesting from you to interfere in this case to prevent Iraqi government from turning the Camp Liberty in to a prison.
With respects,
Roberto Malini, Matteo Pegoraro, Dario Picciau
co-presidents of EveryOne Group
