UN human rights office calls for observers to be allowed into Iraqi camp

The United Nations human rights office today called for independent observers to be allowed immediate access to a camp north of Baghdad after Iraqi security forces reportedly stormed it last Friday and killed or wounded dozens of residents.

Media reports state that Iraqi security forces entered Camp Ashraf, which is home to several thousand members of the People’s Mojahedeen Organization of Iran (PMOI), also known as Mujahedin-e Khalq, in response to rock-throwing and threats from some camp residents.

Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), told reporters today in Geneva that the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has still not been allowed to enter the camp to independently verify the allegations of serious rights violations last Friday.

“While the situation appears to have calmed down, it remains urgent that independent observers are allowed immediate access to the camp in order to establish the truth of the matter,” Ms. Shamdasani said.