Mojahedin Khalq (MKO, MEK, Rajavi cult) Survivors write to AI
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... We are urging you as a humanitarian organization to condemn the limitations and confinements which the leadership of pmoi has exerted upon the members of this organization and put your international pressure on the leaders of pmoi to respond to the relevant international organizations and Iraqi government requests as well as the families of the Ashraf residents and help the residents of Ashraf to be transferred and conveyed to an appropriate place which they can freely and directly get in touch with relevant humanitarian organizations. We the former members of this notorious and horrifying cult ...
Faryade Azadi, Paris, December 28 2011
http://www.faryade-azadi.com/2Haupt/Didar%20Afve%20Bainalmelal.HTM
Honorable officials of the Amnesty international organization based in Paris
Respectfully
We are the former members of pmoi (people’s mujahedin organization) who had spent 10-25 years of our lives in different pmoi bases and garrisons in Iraq and according to our vital experiences which we have about cultic relations in this notorious and horrible organization and according to our experiences, we assure you that the current residents of Ashraf garrison do not have any idea about the news outside of Ashraf and the only news which is available and accessible for them is completely censored( more limited and confined than North Korea and former USSR) .
According to the fact that the leaders and operatives of this organization do not give to your and other humanitarian organizations correct and transparent information about the members of this organization and their real demands and requests and according to the fact that the leaders of this notorious and horrible organization do not allow to the independent ,important , authenticated and validated news agencies to enter to the Ashraf garrison and make a direct and real reportage about the residents of Ashraf and according to the fact that Rajavi do not allow the families of those stranded members to meet and visit their loved ones which is against all humanitarian and juridical standards and according to the fact that all our brothers and sisters and friends are under severe and harsh organizational protection and security in this horrifying cult and they do not have any permission to talk freely about their problems , their just requests , and their objections and protests are suppressed and oppressed severely in collective sessions which are similar to the Stalinist courts and we had been witnessing them while we were in Ashraf.
According to the fact that more than 70 percent of the members of this organization do not want to stay in Iraq and most of them want to separate themselves from this notorious cult but because of some confinements which for instance American forces exerted on us ( while we were in American camp , we were treated like prisoners of war ,POW,s) they feared to take refuge in American camp and in the continuation of wrong policies of the pmoi leaders in creating scuffles and magnifying the differences between themselves and Iraqi government , they scared their members of the Iraqi government so no one can make his or her own decision freely and willingly to escape from this horrifying cult and go to Iraqi police and rescue themselves.
According to the fact that the leadership of this notorious and horrifying religious cult without international pressures never allow the residents of Ashraf garrison to go somewhere else which they can freely have access directly and without any intermediate to the relevant international organizations and according to the fact that we know the leadership of this cult utilize different tricks and deceits to keep the Ashraf residents in a narrow and tight organizational field to prevent them from getting in touch with the free world and reveal this horrifying organization throughout the world ,so exactly for this reason the leadership of this cult is ready to sacrifice all the residents of this camp his own sake.
We are urging you as a humanitarian organization to condemn the limitations and confinements which the leadership of pmoi has exerted upon the members of this organization and put your international pressure on the leaders of pmoi to respond to the relevant international organizations and Iraqi government requests as well as the families of the Ashraf residents and help the residents of Ashraf to be transferred and conveyed to an appropriate place which they can freely and directly get in touch with relevant humanitarian organizations .
We the former members of this notorious and horrifying cult which during past years rescued ourselves by different ways from Ashraf garrison , can reveal all the tricks and deceits which the leaders of this cult has used to make the transfer process of those residents longer and we are ready to reveal the facts that why and for what reason Mrs. Maryam Rajavi has done her best to keep Ashraf by paying any price and why she did not want the international organizations move on the peaceful path to close and shut down Ashraf Garrison and why she still tries to put hurdles and obstacles on this peaceful path .
We would like to thank you and your honorable organization for your endeavors to help our friends and their families who are in Ashraf to rescue themselves and go to a place which they can freely have access to the free world and get in touch with their friends and families and in this regard we are ready utterly to help your organization about Ashraf by all means.
Except the following names , there are many separated members who in recent weeks escaped from Ashraf Garrison and they are currently living under direct UNHCR supervision in Baghdad . You can also get in touch with those pmoi new separated members in Baghdad and ask them about the condition of the rest of pmoi members residing in Ashraf garrison ,and their ststements will substantiate and prove our statements about the situation and condition of all those stranded members in Ashraf garrison.
All the best
December 2011
The former members of pmoi residing in France
Mohammad Karami
Mohammad Razaghi
Hamed Sarrafpour
Jafar Ebrahimi
Hassan Piransar
Nader Naderi
Alireza Nasrollahi
Mahmoud Sepahi
Homayon kahzadi
Saeed Naseri
Ghafour Fatahiyan
Batul Soltani
Also
Alireza Miraskari / Germany
Ali akbar Rastgo/ Germany
Ali Ghashghavi/ Germany
Mehdi Khoshhal/ Germany
Millad Ariyaie/ Germany
Mehdi Sojodi/ Germany
Ali Jahani/ Germany
Mehrdad Sagharchi/ Germany
Mohammad Hussein Sobhani/ Germany
Rohollah Tajbakhsh/ Germany
Mohsen Abaslou/ Austria
Majid Rohi / Denmark
Behzad Alishahi/ Netherland
Amir Movasaghi/ Germany
Edvard Termado/ Germany
Abbas Sadeghi/ Germany
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Also
http://iran-interlink.org/?mod=view&id=11297
Camp Ashraf survivors, ex Mojahedin Khalq (MKO, MEK,Rajavi cult) members visit Iraqi Embassy in France asking help to open the gates of the garrison
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... We know that none of the Ashraf residents have access to the news outside of Ashraf and they do not have any idea about your intent and will and actions which are happening outside of Ashraf garrison for their freedom for that reason the leaders of pmoi can indoctrinate all kind of lies to those stranded members and influence on their thoughts and their decision making. We also know that the pmoi leaders utilize different tricks and deceits to control them ,for that reason we deeply believe that the only way and the only solution to free those captives is to open the gates of Ashraf castle and transfer and convey them to a quiet and calm place which ...
Faryade Azadi, Paris, December 24 2011
http://www.faryade-azadi.com/2Haupt/Sefarat%20Iraq%201.HTM
Honorable Ambassador of Iraq in France
Respectfully
We are a group of former members of pmoi who during past years by escape and running away from Ashraf garrison and by going through harsh circumstances and condition could rescue ourselves and leave Iraq. Through you We would like to inform Iraqi government and its honorable officials about the following facts:
According to the current complicated situation regarding to the presence of mujahedin in Ashraf, and according to your government agenda for shutting down the Ashraf Garrison till the end of 2011 , and according to our experiences which each one of us has gained them in 20 years of living in Ashraf, so we are very well informed about the things which is happening in there , and according to the fact that the leaders of pmoi are trying their best to put hurdles and obstacles in the freedom path of the Ashraf residents and by creating different excuses and pretexts buy time to fortify their positions and postpone the closure of Ashraf garrison and freedom of the stranded captives , and according to the harsh and difficult condition which has been existing in Ashraf garrison for years as a result of Rajavi’s overcome and conquered strategy and destructive policies , we are very concerned and worried about the physical and psychological condition of our brothers and sisters in Ashraf , we are urging Iraqi government and its lawful and formal representatives and officials not to give up and surrender themselves upon different political pressures which pmoi leaders create in international arena ( which happens only by astronomical spending and by paying huge bribes to some of the western politicians so it does not have any lawful and juridical legitimacy ) and open the gates of Ashraf prison and free the captives in there in predetermined time.
We know that none of the Ashraf residents have access to the news outside of Ashraf and they do not have any idea about your intent and will and actions which are happening outside of Ashraf garrison for their freedom for that reason the leaders of pmoi can indoctrinate all kind of lies to those stranded members and influence on their thoughts and their decision making.
We also know that the pmoi leaders utilize different tricks and deceits to control them ,for that reason we deeply believe that the only way and the only solution to free those captives is to open the gates of Ashraf castle and transfer and convey them to a quiet and calm place which should not be under control and surveillance of pmoi leaders and operatives and like other thousands camp throughout the world, it should be under control and surveillance of local government as well as the international observers.
For this reason we are urging your honorable government, for the well being of our sisters and brothers residing In Ashraf garrison and for releasing them from Ashraf garrison which has taken their free will and power of thought and for their rapid access to the necessary medical things and medication as well as their access to Media and free press and for their fast connection to their families and friends throughout the world and their direct connection without any intermediate and middleman with the international humanitarian organizations individually to choose their future freely …………, to carry out and implement their transfer in determined time without talking into consideration of the propaganda and political interests of some politicians who by receiving huge amount of money trample any humane principles, do not postpone the closure of Ashraf Garrison and you should know that Iranian people just think about the release of their beloved ones from the clutches of Rajavi and they are waiting for Iraq humanitarian actions to release their beloved ones so they can embrace them at last. Freedom of those stranded members and captives can come to the reality when the gates of this notorious prison which was closed by the iron fist of Saddam Hussein , become open by your government.
In this regard we the former members of pmoi are completely ready to explain that the points which the leaders of pmoi are saying on the behalf of those stranded members are not the pmoi members point of view and their standpoint and they are just deceitful requests and policies of the pmoi leadership.
Respectfully
The Former Members of pmoi
23-December-2011
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(Rajavi from Saddam to AIPAC)
(Mehdi Abrishamchi and Massoud Rajavi taking orders from Saddam's head of secret services)
(Maryam Rajavi directly ordered the massacre of Kurdish people)
(A cult session in Ashraf Camp Iraq - under the protection of Saddam)
(Chemical attack on Halabche, Kurdistan, Iraq)
(MKO members in European Countries 2003)
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Also
http://iran-interlink.org/?mod=view&id=11283
Families representing Camp Ashraf residents want fast and peaceful resolution
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... While nobody expected the MEK leaders to welcome the families with open arms, and nobody expected the MEK's callous and cynical owners to care for the individual welfare of their gladiators and slaves, it is shocking that even internationally renowned human rights organisations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the UNHRC have not uttered a word about this situation. These protectors of human rights may as well have been paid by the Rajavis for their spurious appeals to the Iraqis to 'protect the human rights' the camp's residents. Not one single word of criticism has been said against the Rajavi's blatant and cruel denials of these families' just demands ...
Anne Singleton, Middle East Strategy Consultants, December 22 2011
http://mesconsult.com
Anne Singleton is the author of the books "Saddam's Private Army" and "Camp Ashraf"
http://camp-ashraf.com
The most unhelpful aspect of the negotiations to close Camp Ashraf and remove the residents from Iraq is that the Western agents continue to act on the myth that the people inside the camp are somehow a single, discrete entity with no connection to the outside world and no say in their own treatment. Thus it is reported without context, analysis or explanation that the Mojahedin-e Khalq will need to be transferred to a separate facility - specifically the former U.S. military base Camp Liberty. Once there they will need to be interviewed by the UNHCR for decisions to be made on their refugee status, with UNAMI overseeing Iraqi conduct at the new camp. And out of this process their futures will be determined.
But even this, 'the desired outcome', is being promoted without the actual cooperation of the MEK leader.
This proposed mass movement of the camp's residents can only give rise to a pseudo angst-ridden hand-wringing which at one time fears mass suicide, at another their mass deportation to Iran where they will be tortured and executed, it fears they are labelled as terrorists and will not be 'allowed' to come to the West, and then fears that they will come to the West and pose a security threat. Underpinning the whole Washington-led negotiation process is the basic principle 'how do we conserve the MEK'.
Behind the naive and unhelpful scenario of convincing Massoud Rajavi to agree the mass relocation of his captives to an open camp over which he has no control lies a blatant violation of fundamental human rights which is taking place before everybody's eyes but which nobody apparently wants to acknowledge. This is because focusing on this situation would remove any legitimacy from the negotiations. It would expose the reality behind the myth; Massoud Rajavi is nobody's representative. It would mean acknowledging that Rajavi has falsely imprisoned over three thousand individuals and is daily violating their basic human rights and it would mean moving forward on that basis.
There are currently around 400 families at the gates of the camp. They have come determined to rescue their loved ones and protect them from harm. These are the true representatives of their captured relatives in the camp. Why do they still have no voice? Why do international agencies ignore them and pretend they have no stake in the negotiations and outcome.
Over the past eight years family after family has tried to assert their basic right - to meet with their closest relatives in a secure and private atmosphere outside the control of the MEK. The demand pre-dates the decision to close Camp Ashraf, and will certainly post-date any moves at the camp. Indeed, the biggest scandal is that this demand has nothing to do with the Iraqi determination to close the camp before the end of 2011, but it is still being ignored.
While nobody expected the MEK leaders to welcome the families with open arms, and nobody expected the MEK's callous and cynical owners to care for the individual welfare of their gladiators and slaves, it is shocking that even internationally renowned human rights organisations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the UNHRC have not uttered a word about this situation. These protectors of human rights may as well have been paid by the Rajavis for their spurious appeals to the Iraqis to 'protect the human rights' the camp's residents. Not one single word of criticism has been said against the Rajavi's blatant and cruel denials of these families' just demands. Not one word of criticism has been levelled against the Rajavis' daily abuse of human rights inside the camp in spite of the on-going testimonies of both past and recent escapees.
It is the urgent obligation of every humanitarian agency involved to prefix the mythical negotiations with the unequivocal demand that Rajavi immediately and peacefully open the gate of Camp Ashraf and allow the people inside to have contact with their families. There can be no legal or moral obstacle or objection to such a course of action.
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Also
http://iran-interlink.org/?mod=view&id=11069
Diyala Governor: Human Rights, Deporting MEK, Imposing the Laws, non negotiable
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... Massoud Khodabandeh heading the delegation thanked the Government of Iraq and asked the Governor of Diyala and the General to help inform the people trapped inside about their rights and to counter the lies given to them by the hostage takers and cult leaders. Ms Abdollahi on behalf of the families asked for help and for care to be taken when dismantling the camp to institute particular safeguards to protect the relatives of the picketing families. Ms Sanjabi, (formerly a member of the MEK Leadership Council), who managed to escape some months ago, explained ...
Iran Interlink, Diyala, Iraq, November 23 2011
http://iran-interlink.org
A meeting was held on Monday 21 November between officials of the Diyala province and family representatives of the people trapped in Camp Ashraf.
The Governor of Diyala, Dr Abdul–Nasser Al-Mahdwe stated clearly that:
1- There will be no compromise on the decision to deport the MEK.
2 - There will be no compromise on imposing national and international laws
3 - There will be no compromise on respect for human rights laws and agreements and therefore they will not be forcefully returned to Iran.
He said that the overall decisions will rest with central government but as far as Diyala is concerned there is no room for the MKO anywhere inside the province. This has been announced repeatedly by practically all the leaders of tribes and local officials. Dr Al-Mahdwe dismissed completely the MEK propaganda in which they claim they have some support and said that to claim, after what they have done, that the MEK have even a small percentage of support in the province is simply a lie and is purely fictitious.
General Abdol Amir Al-Zeidi, is the commander of the regional army and responsible for the protection of the camp. He said that he has met many escapees from the camp. The last one was a woman who had to drag herself out and crawl for about half a kilometer before reaching the Iraqis. He said the leaders are the problem not the trapped people and if given order we are prepared to transfer them out of the camp with the utmost dignity and care and respect for their wellbeing. He said this can be checked by reporters and human rights organisation who wish to observe the operation.
The General said that in the event they receive the order to evacuate the camp, they will try their utmost to stop the leaders killing the hostages and the disaffected members as they did before. According to the General most of the people who were killed in April 2011 were in opposition to the leadership and had been shot in the heart or in the head. But the leaders tried to cover up such facts even though the evidence is unequivocal. He said reports will be handed over to the authorities to deal with the cases of murder of these people at the hands of the hostage takers.
Massoud Khodabandeh heading the delegation thanked the Government of Iraq and asked the Governor of Diyala and the General to help inform the people trapped inside about their rights and to counter the lies given to them by the hostage takers and cult leaders.
Ms Abdollahi on behalf of the families asked for help and for care to be taken when dismantling the camp to institute particular safeguards to protect the relatives of the picketing families.
Ms Sanjabi, (formerly a member of the MEK Leadership Council), who managed to escape some months ago, explained the latest developments inside the camp and gave some ideas about how the leaders may try to plan and execute violent resistance.
Mr and Mrs Mohammady from Canada who have been trying since before 2003 to rescue their daughter from the camp, presented some documents including copies of the arrest warrants for some leading members of the MKO inside the camp which the General received and promised to follow up.
Other delegation members including Mr. Azizi a Human rights activist from Netherlands Mr Sadeghi, one of the few people who managed to escaped from the camp during the time of Saddam Hussein, Mr Ghashghavi who spent years in Abu Ghraib, where he was sent by Rajavi, Mr. Ferydouni who managed to escape a few weeks ago and Ms Mahdian whose husband, a registered POW, is trapped inside the camp also participated in the meeting.
Press and media were present and the Governor and the General gave a media briefing following the meeting which was broadcast live through official and national media.
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Also
http://iran-interlink.org/?mod=view&id=11098
Report on Baghdad Conference
Terrorist MEK to be expelled from Iraq
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... Mr Adnan Al-Shahmani, head of the Parliamentary Committee to oversee the expulsion of the MEK announced in the Conference that the deadline would not be extended and that the camp will be closed by the end of the year. He also explained that the Iraqi Judiciary had issued its final verdict that the camp should be closed... Mr Al- Shahmani also criticized the West for its silence toward the crimes committed by the group against civilians, and asked international communities not to remain silent in the case of the abuse of the rights of the families of the victims of the MEK ...
Iran Interlink, Baghdad, November 25 2011
http://iran-interlink.org
A Conference in Baghdad University on Friday 25 November was organised by Al-Edalat Al-Iraqi Society, headed by Dr Nafe Al-Isa, which represents the families of 25,000 Iraqi victims of the MEK.
The Conference was held in Al-Hakim Conference Centre in Baghdad University and hundreds of tribal leaders, University lecturers, Governmental representatives and officials, NGOs and media representatives filled the salon. Although Camp Ashraf and the MEK is an issue specific to the government and citizens of Iraq, the Conference organisers made sure to invite Western agencies, such as the UN, EU and diplomats who have claimed or expressed an interest in Camp Ashraf. Unfortunately, however, any such invitees were apparently unable to leave the Green Zone to attend the Conference and talk to the delegates.
Opening the Conference, Dr Nafe, speaking on behalf of the families of victims of MEK violence, asked that those MEK leaders who were responsible for this violence be brought to justice before their deportation.
Speakers from the government and NGOs all emphasized that the deadline for deportation must be strictly adhered to and that Iraqi and international law against terrorism and crime must be upheld. Other speakers, in particular the tribal leaders spoke about the MEK’s crimes which they have witnessed in recent years in Diyala province. They were highly critical of the failure of the American military to dismantle the camp after 2003, and were scathing of the continued American backing which allowed the camp to be used for training and inciting terrorism against Iraqis.
On this theme, Jasem Al- Ebadi, Member of Parliament and member of the parliamentary Human Rights Commission used his speech to criticise EU efforts to keep the terrorist group intact and their opposition to the deportation process. He commented that if they are so in love with this terrorist group, why don't they take them to their own countries?
(Mr. Al- Shahmani, MP)
Mr Adnan Al-Shahmani, head of the Parliamentary Committee to oversee the expulsion of the MEK announced in the Conference that the deadline would not be extended and that the camp will be closed by the end of the year. He also explained that the Iraqi Judiciary had issued its final verdict that the camp should be closed and the land handed back to the original owners.
Mr Al- Shahmani also criticized the West for its silence toward the crimes committed by the group against civilians, and asked international communities not to remain silent in the case of the abuse of the rights of the families of the victims of the MEK.
(Mr. Al- Shahmani, meeting families)
Mr Al-Shahmani also met with the representatives of the families of hostages inside Camp Ashraf and the delegation from European countries who are campaigning to ensure a peaceful outcome to the standoff at the camp.
(Mr. Khodabandeh)
Massoud Khodabandeh, from Middle East Strategy Consultants which is working with the Iraqi government to resolve the situation at Camp Ashraf, introduced his book ‘The Life of Camp Ashraf – Mojahedin-e Khalq Victims of Many Masters’ to the Conference. The book places the MEK in the context of its foreign ownership and concludes that these owners have invested heavily in the MEK’s ability to commit acts of violence and terrorism, and that this is the reason for western resistance to closing the camp. The book particularly highlights the MEK’s refusal to allow residents of the camp to have contact with their immediate families as a fundamental human rights abuse of every person in the camp.
(Ms. Abdollahi)
Ms Abdollahi represented the families and asked for help to release the hostages (including her own son) from the camp. Ms Abdollahi reminded the Conference that the families’ struggle to find their relatives had been going on since 2003 and that a permanent picket had been established two years ago. She stressed that when searching for a solution the families of course have the security and safety of all the residents as their utmost priority. The families have the simplest and easily granted request – to visit their loved ones who are in the camp. This does not depend on the removal of the MEK from Iraq and would be simple to do. The only barrier to this request is the order of the MEK leaders Massoud and Maryam Rajavi. They can easily resolve this issue by ordering that the families of MEK members be allowed to have free and unfettered contact with their loved ones.
(Ms. Sanjabi)
Ms Sanjabi is an ex-member of the MEK’s women only Leadership Council. She managed to escape from Camp Ashraf very recently, and explained the dire situation of the women inside the camp, detailing disturbing and shocking human rights abuses which are currently being carried out against the residents by the MEK leaders.
(Ms Mahdian)
Ms Mahdian, whose husband is a hostage inside the camp, explained how Saddam’s Intelligence services gave her husband to the MEK as a slave, even though he had been and is still a registered POW, captured at the start of the Iran-Iraq war. Ms Mahdian explained that her son has not seen his father for the past 25 years and the MEK would not allow this visit even after two years of picketing.
(Mr. Sadeghi)
Mr Sadeghi from Germany, who is one of the few members who managed to run away from the camp successfully during the time of Saddam Hussein, presented and explained evidence of recent MEK interference in the internal affairs of Iraq, their collaboration with Saddamists and other terrorist groups, and the MEK’s active role in intensifying the insurgency.
(Mr. Ghashghavi)
Mr Ghashghavi also from Germany, served eight years without trial in Saddam’s prisons including Abu Ghraib for refusing to carry out Massoud Rajavi’s orders to commit criminal acts. Mr Ghashghavi explained how Rajavi and Saddam would force people to either kill others or be sent to the torture chambers themselves and be killed.
(Mr. Ezati and Ms. Sanjabi)
Another ex-MEK member, Mr Ezati who now lives in the Netherlands, gave interviews to the media explaining the situation inside the camp and the constant abuse of human rights of the victims. Mr Ezati strongly criticized the unfortunate media silence over these human rights abuses which he ascribed to the pervasive influence of the MEK’s powerful backers who regard the MEK as “good terrorists”.
(Nejat delegation)
Tens of ex-MEK members who work with Nejat Association in Iran, also attended the Conference and were interviewed by the media. They explained that Nejat Association, which works closely with the families of the hostages, now has the capacity to help those survivors who wish to do so, to go back to their country under the amnesty which was granted by the Iranian authorities in 2003 (which is based on the understanding that the MEK members have been subjected to the coercion and control of cult leaders) and which to date has been upheld under the supervision of the ICRC.
Conference attendees were particularly interested in the testimony of three recently escaped camp residents who gave full and detailed explanations to the media about the harsh reality of being a captive inside Camp Ashraf. They spoke about the total information blackout and social and emotional isolation they experienced there. They emphasized that the leaders and the hostage takers lie constantly to the residents so that the captives have no idea about the outside world. They are made to believe that the MEK leaders are directly supported by the Americans and that if they tried to escape the camp they would be immediately shot, or now, after being tortured by the Iraqis they would be handed over to Iran to be executed without trial. They said that if they were given the true facts and information, there is not one person in the camp who would still want to stay in the desert of Iraq nearly nine years after disarmament. They urged international organizations, especially the US representatives and UNAMI, who are the only organizations with close relations with the hostage takers, to take advantage of their weekly meetings inside Camp Ashraf with the hostage takers, to persuade them to open up the flow of information and convince them to give people the right to family visits as well as normal means of communication such as writing and telephones, etc.
These recently escaped hostages also urged UNAMI not to present the hostage takers as the representatives of the hostages in the media outputs. Instead they should be clear that Rajavi is no one’s representative and as long as the negotiators have not met with the hostages without the presence of the MEK commanders - the hostage takers - outside the camp, they have no right to claim anything on their behalf. They said they believe that UNAMI and the American backers of the cult are in breach of international law for siding with the terrorists as these are people who have abused the human rights of over 3000 people for decades. The survivors of Camp Ashraf are now taking legal advice to claim compensation for their suffering and losses from the MEK leaders.