New Developments at Camp Ashraf
Thursday, February 16th, 2012 11:32:34 by Fayyaz Yaseen
New Developments at Camp Ashraf
Washington: (Thursday, February 16, 2012) The United States has expressed its resolve to continue to pursue a peaceful, humane solution to the untenable situation at Camp Ashraf.
The critical next step in this regard is the voluntary movement of the first group of 400 Ashraf residents to the new transit facility at Camp Hurriya (former Camp Liberty). The United States supports the UN’s call for the Iraqi
Government and the residents of Camp Ashraf to continue to cooperate and begin this movement peacefully and without delay.
Once the first group arrives at Hurriya, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) can immediately begin verification and refugee status determinations, a necessary step for Hurriya residents to safely
depart Iraq.
On January 31, following successful work by the Government of Iraq, the UNHCR and UN Human Rights Office in Baghdad determined that the infrastructure and facilities at Camp Hurriya are in accordance with international humanitarian
standards for refugees, as required by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the United Nations and Government of Iraq last December 25.
US State Department Secretary, Hillary Clinton, joining European Union High Representative Ashton, has publicly supported this MOU, which fully respects the sovereignty of Iraq. The United States welcomes the Iraqi Government’s
continued cooperation with the UN; urges the Iraqi government to fulfill all its responsibilities, especially the elements of the MOU that provide for the safety and security of Ashraf’s residents; and calls on the leaders at Camp Ashraf to cooperate with
Iraqi authorities and the UN to make this and all further stages of the relocation successful.
The United States urges this voluntary movement to Hurriya to begin on schedule February 17. The U.S. will not walk away from the people at Camp Hurriya. Rather, it is determined to visit Hurriya regularly and frequently, and continue
to work with the UN to support their temporary relocation and subsequent peaceful and secure resettlement outside of Iraq, consistent with our respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and in accord with Iraq’s responsibilities for their humane treatment and security.
Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=12983
Posted by Fayyaz Yaseen
on Feb 16 2012. Filed under Latest News, USA, World.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
