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Camp Ashraf solidarity hunger strikers on day 11 outside US embassy, London

Solidarity | 07.08.2009 22:19 | Iraq | Repression | Social Struggles | World

Around ten Iranian exiles have been on hunger strike outside the US embassy in London for the past eleven days in protest at alleged brutality by Iraqi forces against Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf, Iraq, at least twelve of whom have been killed, 500 injured and 26 taken hostage according to the protesters.

There will be a rally outside the US embassy in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair on Saturday, 8 August, from 7pm.


From flyer:

International call for solidarity with [Iranian] Ashraf residents.

Free 36 hostages abducted by Iraqi forces

In the violent attack by the Iraqi forces on the unarmed civilian population in Camp Ashraf [in Iraq], 12 killed, 500 injured, 36 taken hostage.

We demand:

- Iraq immediately returns the 36 detained Ashraf residents;

- Iraqi forces immediately withdraw from Camp Ashraf;

- US forces temporarily take over protection of Ashraf until a UN-designated force can be established there;

- The UN Security Council immediately dispatches representatives to the camp to investigate the humanitarian catastrophe and recommend appropriate action for the prosecution of those responsible for this unlawful and inhumane massacre.

We invite all humanitarian organisations and people to take part in an event which will be held in London and 16 other locations including France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Ireland and USA:

Venue: 24 Grosvenor Square (In front of the US embassy), London, W1A 2LQ

Date: Saturday 8 August 2009

Time: 7pm and 10pm

Map:  http://www.usembassy.org.uk/ukembmap.html

(Nearest tube: Bond Street / Marble Arch)



Some recent press reports on the attack on Camp Ashraf and the resulting protests:


Exiled Iranians protest over Camp Ashraf - The Times, August 4, 2009

Deborah Haynes, Defence Correspondent

A group of Iranians in London vowed today to stay on a hunger strike to the death unless something is done to help thousands of fellow exiles living in a camp in Iraq following deadly clashes with the Iraqi security forces last week.

 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6739371.ece



Iranians stage protests in UK - August 7, 2009

By: Judy West.

Iranians in nine cities in the UK on Saturday will participate in a Global Day of Solidarity with 36 residents of Camp Ashraf who been kidnapped by Iraqi forces and face torture at the behest of the Iranian regime.

 http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=4843



The news from Iraq: all quiet on the northern front - Telegraph, August 1, 2009

Last week Iraqi government forces stormed a refugee camp, bulldozing buildings, shooting and beating the inhabitants with nailed clubs and axes, leaving at least 12 dead and 400 injured, says Christopher Booker.

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/5956165/The-news-from-Iraq-all-quiet-on-the-northern-front.html



Amnesty seeks information on PMOI - UPI, August 5, 2009

Amnesty International called on Baghdad to release information on Iranian dissidents seized during a raid on Camp Ashraf in Diyala province.

 http://www.upi.com/Emerging_Threats/2009/08/05/Amnesty-seeks-information-on-PMOI/UPI-48801249492855/



Iranian exiles' hunger strikes for Camp Ashraf residents enter second week - National Council of Resistance of Iran - August 5, 2009

Iranian opposition’s Camp Ashraf attacked – Statement 69

Demonstrations and sit-ins continue in Europe and United States

NCRI - Simultaneous with hunger strike by Ashraf residents in intolerable summer heat in Iraq, hunger strikes by Iranian expatriates and supporters of the Iranian Resistance in solidarity with Ashraf residents across from the White House in Washington D.C. and the U.S. embassy in London entered their second week. Today is the seventh day of such strikes in Berlin and Ottawa outside the U.S. embassies.

 http://ncr-iran.org/content/view/6973/1/

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