CAMP ASHRAF 

Everyone is aware of the devastating effects of the war in Iraq. As well as suffering the terrible hardships resulting from the continued conflict, the residents of Camp Ashraf endure further adversity by being continually targeted with violence. The residents of Ashraf face devastating hardship and deprivation and require your support.

Some 3,600 Iranian refugees aging from 18-70 reside in Ashraf. After the Iraq war they were placed under scrutiny by the coalition forces, leading to their recognition as “Protected Citizens” under the fourth Geneva Convention.

This recognition was due to the neutrality and co-operation of the residents of Ashraf before, during and after the war. The US General and commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Ray Odierno, referred specifically to this positive cooperation from the residents of Camp Ashraf.
 
At the heart of Ashraf are the human stories, stories such as that of “Reza”, 25, who was met by a British lawyer visiting Ashraf last year. Azadeh Zabeti, joint chair of the Committee of Anglo Iranian Lawyers, tells us how Reza, having witnessed the murder of both his parents, was imprisoned in Iran at the age of six months. He remained an infant prisoner for a number of years until his grandparents could secure his release. After his release, Reza was smuggled out of the country and went on to study medicine in Canada, ultimately making his way to Ashraf to help those who share his own tragic experiences.

The Problem
It was hoped that sustenance for the camp would be provided by the Iraqi administration but unfortunately this has not been done. On the contrary, water and other essential supplies have been restricted.

Conditions in Ashraf are desperate. In addition to violent attacks, the people suffer severe deprivation on a daily basis. Without essential services, the conditions truly are life threatening. Without a clean water supply the threat of disease is real and immediate.

A letter sent to the Iraqi Prime Minister by a number of UK parliamentarians and peers, headed by Lord Corbett of Castle Vale opened “ I write to express the deep concerns of many members of both houses of the British Parliament … of reports in the Iranian press that residents of Ashraf were to be expelled from Iraq”; Lord Corbett noted, “I understand that following this statement, which has been attributed to you, the water supply to Ashraf has been disconnected and other supplies have been restricted. This is a clear breach of the requirement under the Convention”. The letter draws attention to a recent report by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee calling on the Iraqi government to” reiterate its recognition for these exiles’ protected persons status”.

Help Is Needed
Our concerns, however, are with the mere existence of the people who are clearly in desperate and life threatening circumstances. We have had numerous letters and appeals made on their behalf by relatives or friends.

Clearly, the residents of camp Ashraf are unable to rely on those with a legal responsibility to provide support and protection. We need your support to enable these refugees to provide life’s basic essentials for themselves.

The Camp has a logistics committee, which manages the affairs of the residents. We work closely with this committee both to monitor the application of funds and evaluate people’s need on an ongoing basis. We have sent carefully selected representatives to assess the conditions in order to have a first hand understanding of the needs of this oppressed community. Many others have visited the camp such as The Rt Hon. The Lord Slynn of Hadley (Former Advocate General at the European court of Justice and Lord of Appeal in the Ordinary) who has provided us with first hand information and advice.

This widespread campaign has already secured major contributions amounting to over 40% of these costs through organisations in the UK and abroad, including thousands of individual donations.




If you feel you are able to offer financial support to any part(s) of our appeal we would love to hear from you. As well as the option of donating a pre-determined amount you may wish to consider supporting a specified number of people, supporting one or two particular aspects of our appeal (food, medicine, etc) or offering a time limited donation (e.g. food for two months, etc). We also welcome gifts in Kind such as sanitary and hygiene products, medicine etc…

Specific details and project implementation plans can be made available to organisations wishing to consider providing financial support.

On behalf of the Ashraf residents we look forward to hearing from you in the near future.