A number of protestors were on day 12 of a hunger strike outside the American embassy, calling for Iraqi troops to leave Ashraf and US forces to guarantee their relatives protection. On Friday, another of the hunger strikers was hospitalised after he fell ill. Two Iranian women on hunger strike were taken to hospital earlier in the week.

A number of local churches have declared their support for the protestors’ cause, and Grosvenor Chapel was host to a delegation of Iranians and its bells were tolled 36 times in solidarity with the 36 residents of Ashraf who have been kidnapped and tortured by Iraqi forces. The delegation was also invited to light 36 candles to remember the detainees.

At 10pm the Iranians marched across Grosvenor Square, chanting “Down with Khamenei, down with Maliki” and “US, US, take action, respect Geneva Convention”. A film of the crackdown on Ashraf was also shown at the rally.

Speakers included: Iraqi political party leader Reza al-Reza, renowned Iranian poet Esmaeil Khoi, women’s rights campaigner Elizabeth Sidney OBE, award-winning journalist Christine Aziz, Hossein Abedini of the NCRI’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and several church leaders.

Mr. Al-Reza read out a message in Arabic strongly condemning Iraqi Prime Minister for ordering the attack on Ashraf. He declared his support for the goals of the hunger-strikers.

Rev. Canon Mark Oakley of Grosvenor Chapel said: “It was an enormous privilege for me to welcome a delegation from you to our church. We have prayed for those who have been kidnapped and for those who have been bereaved in Ashraf. We lit a candle for each of the 36 people who were kidnapped. We also tolled the church bell 36 times so that the world will not ignore that they are missing and in need of protection”.

Father Abhl O'Haven from the Colomban Missionary Society said: “Thank you for inviting me to join you in the struggle of Ashraf”. Addressing the residents of Ashraf, he said: “We pray that you will eventually be able to achieve the peace and freedom and harmony that you are entitled to. We pray that you will be protected from the brutality of the regime which is trying to break your spirit and resolve. We hope and pray that you will have the power and conviction and courage to continue and that the US and Britain will give you the protection that you are entitled to you”.

“We salute the hunger strikers who are making a supreme sacrifice to make sure that the struggle will continue and be highlighted across the world. And we pray that countries that have the power to put pressure to stop the massacre in Ashraf do so”, he said.

Elizabeth Sidney OBE, chairwoman of Women Against Fundamentalism and for Equality (WAFE), said: The people of Ashraf are protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

“From the moment the camp was handed over by the Americans to the Iraqis, the residents were subjected to pressure. It was unbelievable that my country and the Americans had brought to power the violent thugs who would beat up people with staves, elective batons, metal bars, and axes”, she said. “There were 36 wounded people dragged away from the camp to a prison where they have been tortured. It is essential we protest in the name of international law and in the name of humanity until they are released”.

Christine Aziz said: “The residents of Camp Ashraf have tremendous courage. Many of them left Iran, leaving families behind in order to go to Ashraf and defend the rights of their countrymen. Ashraf is very important for the world. It is a symbol for female equality, for democratic rights and provides strength and courage to those who fight for freedom and democracy”.

A number of young Iranians who have relatives at Camp Ashraf gathered on stage to demand that the US authorities take immediate action to guarantee the safety of their family members.. Azadeh Zabeti, speaking on behalf of the families of the residents of Camp Ashraf, said: “I have a message for the vile and savage thugs who carried out this atrocity: we the families of the victims of this massacre will hunt you down and pursue every legal avenue available to us, to prosecute you for this crime against humanity. You are answerable not only to the residents of Camp Ashraf, not only to the Iranian Resistance; but you are answerable to the people of Iran”.

The demands of the hunger strikers:

1. Iraq must immediately release the 36 people taken hostage.

2. Iraqi police must withdraw its forces from Camp Ashraf.

3. US forces must temporarily assume protection of Ashraf until a UN-designated force can be established there.

A following gathering is to take place on Saturday 15th of August in solidarity for the 1,000 women in Ashraf city and the brave women in Iran. The occasion will take place in Grosvenor Square outside the American Embassy in London at 6pm which will include speakers from around England showing their support. For all those who want to show solidarity in support of the women in Iran and Ashraf please attend this gathering.