The US Forces and European governments exercising organized aggression against TIPF refugees

Sweden, France and Ireland are refusing to admit TIPF refugees

Two other representatives of the refugees have been jailed by the US Forces in TIPF

Based on the news obtained by the office of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) a number of European governments are refusing to admit their share of refugees given by the UN commissioner on refugees, and are not willing to transfer the refugees settled in Iraq’s TIPF. Swedish, French and Irish governments are collectively using the same argument referring to the fact that the European Union has recognized the Mujahedin of Khalgh as a terrorist organization and therefore could not accept ex-members of such group. This argument is a blow to the opposition, to the rights of refugees, and is against all international undertakings concerning refugees. It is more than 3 years that refugees settled in TIPF have abandoned Mujahedin’s ideology and organization, and have not been involved in any military activity. The very first day of their entrance to TIPF camp, they all have signed a legal document clearly announcing that they do not believe in military action and that they will not get involved in any type of military activity in the future. The same issue has been thoroughly investigated by the UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) while interviewing these refugees and only  after becoming confident that they will no more be engaged in any military activity, the UNHCR has agreed to grant them with refugee status.

On the other hand, the history of their collaboration with the Mujahedin organization should by no means indefinitely deprive them rom being supported, protected and settled as refugees in European countries. Based on international laws, these governments have the obligation to admit these refugees and refusing to accept them has a specific political meaning and is considered a synchronized action linked to behind the curtain deals made over the fate of these refugees.

The International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) firmly condemns the European governments for their way of dealing with these refugees and will put a complaint against these governments to the International and Human Rights associations. We are asking the UNHCR to immediately let the public know through a press statement, about the reasons and the obstacles of the transfer of TIPF refugees and to put pressure on European governments to immediately transfer these refugees to safe third countries.

Again, based on the news that we have received, since 4 days ago, two other refugee representatives in TIPF have been arrested by the US forces for their role in organizing refugee protests. They currently are kept in solitary cells. The name of one of the representatives is Hamid Mohhebi. At the same time, the US Forces at TIPF have attacked  the protesting refugees who are in a sit-in strike and while removing all the placards and banners, have announced that they will no more tolerate these protests and that the refugees should end their sit-in strike. At this time refugees and American military commanders have entered a heated argument and refugees, all unified, have protested against the aggression of the American forces. In their contact with the office of IFIR, TIPF refugees have announced that they will continue their fight and protest against the present situation until reaching their final goal which is to be transferred to another camp where they would be under the direct watch of the UN Commissioner on Refugees and until transfer to a third safe country.

While the IFIR is strongly condemning the American forces for their constant attacks on TIPF refugees, we strongly support the refugees’ campaign to reach their legitimate requests.

Again, we are sending an appeal to all human rights organizations and all structures defending the rights of refugees to object to the inhuman behavior of Americans and Western governments and to ask for immediate transfer of all these refugees to a third safe country. This transfer is the most human way and the only decent alternative to solve this problem.

International Federation of Iranian Refugees

Dec. 22, 2006