News in Brief

Reports from Irandidban's correspondent indicate that MKO commanders in Camp Ashraf have forced all members to submit the ID Cards which were issued to them by US forces.
According to these reports, after granting Protected Person status under the Fourth Geneva Convention to MKO members in Iraq, US forces interviewed and issued individual ID Cards to all members. Individuals carrying these ID cards are protected by coalition forces all over Iraq and consequently can come and go to cities and visit international institutions. It is therefore possible for any member to leave Camp Ashraf. Every member of the MKO has recourse to help from humanitarian groups in Iraq and can ask to leave Iraq. This situation is not acceptable for the MKO since it could lead to revelations about MKO crimes inside the Camp.
The report adds that: 'to protect themselves and to prevent crisis inside the MKO, and also to delay dissolution of this terrorist group, the leaders of this criminal cult have forced all the members to submit their ID Cards'.
It appears that US forces in Iraq are not aware of this move by the cult’s leaders.
The report also points to wide dissatisfaction among MKO members in Camp Ashraf and stresses that the Mojahedin is using every possible means and propaganda tool, including its satellite TV channel, to hide problems it has with the members who want to leave the camp. But the activities of humanitarian institutions bypass these efforts.

…Family or identity documents in the possession of internees may not be taken away without a receipt being given. At no time shall internees be left without identity documents. If they have none, they shall be issued with special documents drawn up by the detaining authorities, which will serve as their identity papers until the end of their internment…

All protected persons who may desire to leave the territory at the outset of, or during a conflict, shall be entitled to do so…

We have put the issue of visits of ex members of the MKO with their families to the representative of Amnesty International in charge of Iran. Mr Drewery Dyke in London replied:
AI has put the issue before the Mojahedin Khalq and they say that the meetings with families have taken place. But the issue is still under investigation.

The view of AI is that the Mojahedin are obliged to let those who have a family member in Ashraf camp meet them without the presence of any member of the Mojahedin, and in a fashion that they would feel sure there are no eavesdropping or bugging devices to reveal their conversation.

AI also has some concerns about and is in the process of investigating some allegations suggesting that members of the Mojahedin are mistreating other members, and if it is found out that these allegation are true, in an appropriate time we will put this to the Mojahedin Khalq.

Up to now, AI has not discussed its concerns with the American officials as it has not yet seen the necessity to do so.

All persons in the territory of a Party to the conflict, or in a territory occupied by it, shall be enabled to give news of a strictly personal nature to members of their families, wherever they may be, and to receive news from them. This correspondence shall be forwarded speedily and without undue delay.

Each Party to the conflict shall facilitate enquiries made by members of families dispersed owing to the war, with the object of renewing contact with one another and of meeting, if possible. It shall encourage, in particular, the work of organizations engaged on this task provided they are acceptable to it and conform to its security regulations.

Every internee shall be allowed to receive visitors, especially near relatives, at regular intervals and as frequently as possible.

Hossein Mashoufi was reportedly beaten severely and detained on disciplinary grounds by the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) in July 2001. The PMOI was, at that time, an armed group based in Iraq, from where it opposed the authorities in Iran. It has been an illegal organization in Iran for over a decade.
Hossein Mashoufi said the beatings he received from the PMOI severely damaged his kidneys and that he was hospitalized for a time in Baghdad. In July 2001, AI wrote to the PMOI about the reports that Hossein Mashoufi had been tortured in Iraq and received a prompt reply from the organization. It included a letter, allegedly in Hossein Mashoufi's hand, claiming that he had not been detained and that the allegations were false. The PMOI offered to arrange for AI to speak with him - while he continued to be under PMOI supervision - if there were further concerns.
Following his eventual escape from the PMOI, Hossein Mashoufi sought refugee status in a European country. Research undertaken by AI helped support his successful asylum claim and Hossein Mashoufi is now safe. AI has been able to speak freely with him.
He confirmed that he was forced to write the letter stating that he was safe. He also confirmed that he still requires medicine to control the functioning of his kidneys, which remain damaged as a result of the beating he claims to have received at the hands of the PMOI.
According to unconfirmed reports received by AI, the PMOI, now disarmed and under US supervision in Iraq, continues to hold prisoners at its facilities in Iraq. These reports have been vigorously denied by the PMOI, which is banned in the European Union, USA and many other countries.
AI's work on opposition groups does not imply any legal or international status or recognition and is aimed strictly at securing the protection of human rights. AI calls on all political groups to uphold fundamental human rights standards and international humanitarian law.
http://web.amnesty.org/wire/March2004/PMOI