One Minute Remarks
Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Humanitarian Situation in Camp Ashraf
December 15, 2009
I rise to address what could develop into a humanitarian catastrophe in Iraq. Residents of Camp Ashraf, opponents of the Iranian regime who found a home in Iraq, appear to have been abandoned by the U.S. and other nations, as they are subjected to unlawful seizure and detainment by Iraqi forces.
The Iraqi Government must be called upon to respect the human rights of Ashraf residents and to honor its written commitment that it will treat all Ashraf residents humanely. The U.S. Government must ensure that the new democracy we have helped prop up build in Iraq does not forcibly return Ashraf residents to Iran, where they will face certain persecution, torture, and possibly, even death.
They must not be relocated to any country where they will be persecuted based on their beliefs.
On a day when we have demonstrated our support for the people and pro-democracy forces inside of Iran, let us not forget those in Camp Ashraf, Iraq.
