Urgent Action IFIR

ATTACKS ON REFUGEES IN THE TIPF (Temporary International Presence Facility) CAMP IN IRAQ

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• Subject: Urgent Action IFIR
• From: farshadhoseini@yahoo.com 
• Date: Sat, December 2, 2006
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PUBLIC IFIR Index: ASA 26/11/2006


 

November 26/2006

BAGHDAD/IRAQ

The International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) is gravely concerned about a series of attacks on refugees at the TIPF camp in Iraq. The coalition forces which are led by the US Army, are responsible for these attacks.

The most recent incident occurred at around 12.00pm on Nov. 24, 2006, while the US Forces that run the TIPF camp attacked a group of refugees who were staging a sit-in strike for their legitimate requests. They injured a few refugees including one of their representatives, Mr. Ali Afarinandeh who is an old dissident with a strong political background from the Shah’s period and has been fighting against the Islamic government of Iran since its beginning. He was struck with multiple punches and kicks to various parts of his body and was severely injured.

Based on news that IFIR has received, another representative named Javad Assadi has also been arrested along with Mr. Ali Afarinandeh and both are in prison in solitary cells. Arrest of a third representative, Hamid was resisted by the strong protest of the refugees and he was not arrested at that time but it seems that he was thrown into a solitary cell the morning after.

Attacks by the American led forces, against refugees and political dissidents who have taken part in sit-in strikes and have legitimately requested to be resettled to a safe third country, are barbaric and inhuman.

This act is proof that TIPF camp is not a safe place for refugees and all refugees in the TIPF should be transferred to a safe third country as soon as possible. This barbaric act should elicit the strongest reaction from the opposition and from all human rights activists.

IFIR condemns these attacks and urges the UNHCR and the US government to ensure that the US forces at TIPF camp do not launch any further attacks. The refugees that they have imprisoned should be freed immediately.

Although the US forces that run the TIPF camp have reinforced their presence and increased security measures, IFIR is concerned that security is not sufficient to prevent such attacks from continuing. IFIR calls on the UNHCR and the US Government to take immediate measures to secure the refugee camp in TIPF. The Executive Committee of the Program of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR), has concluded that refugee camps should be located at a safe distance from the violation, "as far as possible".



BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Following Saddam’s downfall, and in September 2003, many Mojahedin Khalgh Organization (MKO) members kept in the Ashraf camp in Iraq got the opportunity to leave the MKO and take refuge in the American-run camp called Temporary International Presence Facility (TIPF) established outside Ashraf walls, to await their destiny (i.e. being sent to other European countries as refugees). Presently, about 200 ex-MKO members aged 24-50 are residing in TIPF, and are living in harsh and improper conditions with no determined future. After a year of International campaigning by IFIR, UNHCR has interviewed 180 of them and has granted them with refugee status. In August 10, 2006 when the TIPF authorities prevented a group of journalists from interviewing the refugees of the camp, refugees entered the phase of a sit-in-strike which is still continuing. On August 29, 2006 thirty refugees started a hunger strike, protesting against the poor living conditions, the pressures of the camp authorities on the refugees, and as a call to the outside world to seek help. The American camp authorities started a series of measures to break the protest which included temporary disconnection of electricity and water, and daily threats to render the refugees to the Iranian government (which equals persecution, imprisonment, torture and execution). In November, first Sweden, then Norway, Germany, and the US governments agreed to review the files of 30 refugees of TIPF and the hunger strike ended. The refugees are still conducting a sit-in-strike. The last news from TIPF tells us about US forces attacking the refugees, beatings and imprisonment.


The political and human rights situation in Iran:

Based on information gathered by the International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) first-hand and from well-known international human rights organizations, the Iranian government continues to be a major abuser of human rights with no evidence of improvement with systematic abuses including extra-judicial killings and summary executions; Widespread use of torture and other degrading treatment; Arrest and detention; Lack of fair trials; and harsh prison conditions.

The political activity of banned organizations is forbidden in Islamic Republic of Iran and if political activists are identified they are tortured and sentenced to heavy prison terms. Members of political parties and individuals particularly those demanding the overthrow of the government face harsh and maximum sentences.

Trials in political cases in Iran are unfair and proceedings are summary. Hearings often last a few minutes, with defendants having no access to lawyers, no right to call witnesses in their defense and no right to appeal. The court's arbitrary judgments in political cases are in contradiction with internationally recognized standards regarding fair trials.


Future RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters in ENGLISH or your own language:

To the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
• Calling on the UNHCR to demand that U.S. led forces stop targeting refugees in TIPF camps in Iraq;

• Urging the UNHCR to promptly initiate an independent investigation of the attacks and to bring those found responsible to justice.

• Calling on the UNHCR to intervene and to secure the release of all detained refugees and to uphold their duty to protect those whom the UNHCR have granted refugee status.

• Urge the UNHCR to afford all TIPF refugees protection and resettlement, in safe third countries, immediately.


To the US Government:
• Calling on the US forces running the TIPF camp to take immediate steps to increase the security of the refugees.

• Urging the TIPF’s authorities to locate refugee camps at a safe distance from the frontier, and to ensure that refugees are given protection.

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• Please send your letters to the UNHCR Geneva.
• Please remember to send a copy of your letters to IFIR as well. A sample letter is provided for your convenience.
• Please send appeals immediately.

For further information, contact
Farshad Hoseini Tel: 0031 6304 140 73 or E-mail farshadhoseini@yahoo.com.

IFIR is an international non-governmental organization with over 42 branches in 16 countries worldwide that advocates promoting and protecting the rights of Iranian refugees and asylum seekers, provides evidentiary support through its documentation Centre, and provides referrals for services.


This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including contact information and stop action date (if applicable).
Thank you for your help with this appeal.

Urgent Action Network
IFIR
Postbus 1312
5602BH Eindhoven, Netherlands

Email farshadhoseini@yahoo.com  or
http://www.hambastegi.org 
Phone: 31 6304 140 73

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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL


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