Written declaration No. 553 | Doc. 13299 | 11 February 2014

Third deadly attack on Camp Liberty prompts condemnation, protection and safe return

Signatories: Mr Jordi XUCLÀ, Spain, ALDE ; Mr Pedro AGRAMUNT, Spain, EPP/CD ; Mr Joe BENTON, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Maryvonne BLONDIN, France, SOC ; Ms Sílvia Eloïsa BONET PEROT, Andorra, SOC ; Mr Paolo CORSINI, Italy, SOC ; Mr Arcadio DÍAZ TEJERA, Spain, SOC ; Mr Terence FLANAGAN, Ireland ; Mr Mike HANCOCK, United Kingdom, ALDE ; Mr Andres HERKEL, Estonia, EPP/CD ; Sir Alan MEALE, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Jean-Pierre MICHEL, France, SOC ; Ms Riitta MYLLER, Finland, SOC ; Mr Bernard PASQUIER, Monaco, ALDE ; Ms Mailis REPS, Estonia, ALDE ; Mr Kimmo SASI, Finland, EPP/CD ; Ms Tineke STRIK, Netherlands, SOC ; Mr Øyvind VAKSDAL, Norway ; Mr Egidijus VAREIKIS, Lithuania, EPP/CD ; Mr Eric VORUZ, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Karin S. WOLDSETH, Norway

This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.

We condemn the June 15th rocket attack on Camp Liberty, Iraq, home of 3200 Iranian exiles. Kolthoum Sarahati died instantly while Javad Naghashan died later in hospital as a result of his injuries. 70 other casualties were recorded.

This is the latest in a series of attacks on the Iranian exiles.The previous attack on 9 February left eight residents dead ans scores wounded.

Following the previous attacks, Camp Liberty residents have requested minimum security measures, such as bringing their hard hats and armored vests, digging basic trenches for cover and the return of concrete T-walls, but have been refused by the Iraqi authorities.

We therefore call on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide protection to the residents in accordance with its mandate.

According to the UNHCR Manual on the Security of Persons of Concern, following an attack on a refugee camp, when the host country is unwilling or unable to ensure protection, the recommended course of action is to relocate the refugees to a safer location. As it is the only practical such location, we call on the Government of Iraq and the UNHCR to allow the residents to return to the relatively safer Camp Ashraf.