UN Signs agreement for relocation and resettlement of Camp Ashraf in Iraq

UN Signs agreement for relocation and resettlement of Camp Ashraf in Iraq

Iraq, Monday, December 26, 2011: Yesterday the United Nations and the Government of Iraq signed an important agreement on the temporary relocation and eventual resettlement of the more than 3,000 residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq.
While expressing its views over the agreement, the US state department commended the Government of Iraq for its work with United Nations Special Representative Ambassador Martin Kobler, and welcomed this important step toward a humane resolution to the ongoing
situation at Ashraf. The statement issued by the US department of State expressed its full support for The UN effort.

The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding represents significant progress on this issue and outlines steps necessary to achieve a peaceful and viable solution for the residents of Ashraf, including their temporary relocation to Camp Liberty, a former
U.S. military base near the Baghdad International Airport. At this new location, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will be able to conduct refugee status determinations for the residents of Ashraf – a necessary first step toward resettlement to third
countries.

Adding up to its remarks, the US state department stated that they were encouraged by the Iraqi government’s willingness to commit to this plan, and expected it to fulfill all its responsibilities, especially the elements of the
MOU that provide for the safety and security of Ashraf’s residents. The US department of state welcomed the agreement by the Government of Iraq to allow the United Nations to station monitors at this new location around the clock and to observe the move from
Ashraf to this new location. In addition, officials from U.S. Embassy Baghdad will visit regularly and frequently. The department said that it also welcomed the Iraqi government’s willingness to delay the final closure of Camp Ashraf to give this plan time
for implementation.

To be successful, this resettlement must also have the full support of the Camp’s residents, and the US government has urged them to work with the UN to implement this relocation. All those who want to see the people at Camp Ashraf safe and secure should work
together to see that the agreed upon plan is carried out.

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Posted by Fayyaz Yaseen on Dec 26 2011. Filed under World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry