by Keith Richmond
The Iran Liberty Association, which promotes democracy and human rights in Iran, has organised a sit-in in front of the American embassy in Grosvenor Square to protest at coalition forces standing by while Iranian dissidents are killed and beaten up at a “safe haven” in Iraq.
Camp Ashraf, or Ashraf City, is a refugee camp for Iranians 80 miles from the border, near the town of Khalis, named after a political prisoner under the Shah. It is run by the People’s Mujahedin of Iran, part of the National Council of Resistance, the main opposition in exile, and for the last 23 years the 3,500 residents have been “protected people” under the terms of the Geneva Convention.
Violence erupted when Iraqi forces, which took over responsibility for the site from the Americans in January, stormed the camp last week. Amnesty International said it was “seriously concerned at attacks using tear gas, water canon and batons against unarmed residents who tried to stop them entering the camp”. Twelve people are reported to have been killed and up to 400 injured.
The Iraqi government denies it is acting on behalf of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but says it is determined to close the camp.
