0 evaluări0% au considerat acest document util (0 voturi)
42 vizualizări12 pagini
The free periodical on-line newsletter publishes the latest news focusing on Nejat Society activities and recent status of Mujahedin khalq organization . NewsLetter authored by Nejat Society was first created in2006 with the aim of keeping politic men, journalists, scholars …informed about Nejat Society, PMOI, Rajavis, Camp Ashraf, Iran Terrorist Group,Mujahedin khalq defectors,
The free periodical on-line newsletter publishes the latest news focusing on Nejat Society activities and recent status of Mujahedin khalq organization . NewsLetter authored by Nejat Society was first created in2006 with the aim of keeping politic men, journalists, scholars …informed about Nejat Society, PMOI, Rajavis, Camp Ashraf, Iran Terrorist Group,Mujahedin khalq defectors,
Drepturi de autor:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Formate disponibile
Descărcați ca PDF, TXT sau citiți online pe Scribd
The free periodical on-line newsletter publishes the latest news focusing on Nejat Society activities and recent status of Mujahedin khalq organization . NewsLetter authored by Nejat Society was first created in2006 with the aim of keeping politic men, journalists, scholars …informed about Nejat Society, PMOI, Rajavis, Camp Ashraf, Iran Terrorist Group,Mujahedin khalq defectors,
Drepturi de autor:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Formate disponibile
Descărcați ca PDF, TXT sau citiți online pe Scribd
I S S U E NO 1 9 Nejat Newsletter 1 1 F E BR U AR Y 20 08
Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights: NGO should INSIDE THIS I SSUE:
facilitate safe MKO exit from Iraq Iraqi Ministry of 1, 5 H R: NGO should Iran-Interlink, dissociate from the people who remain at facilitate safe exit January 27, 2008 terrorist group. TIPF as well as those from Iraq Around 800 former who have already left MKO members have - some of these indi- British Gov. answer 2, 3 As concerted moves to the Lord of Terror are getting underway been processed viduals are now in in Iraq to deal with through TIPF. Over Iraqi prison, some in Can. Gov. says Par- 4 the foreign terrorist 500 have successfully Turkish prisons and ents of Girl Trapped organisation Mojahe- accepted voluntary the remainder are in Rajavi Cult are in din-e Khalq in that repatriation to Iran. fug it ives whose danger country, Iran- Those who rejected whereabouts are un- Those who fought 4 Interlink was invited this option were known. their own people to attend a meeting granted UN refugee It was suggested that at the Ministry of Hu- status. a NGO be established Iraqi TV documen- 5 man Rights in Iraq In December last year under the patronage tary about MKO’s today. In a visit to Cananadian Hos- the American Military of personalities and Iraq this weekend, tages in Iraq Police began to re- human rights chari- Massoud Kh od a - move the remaining ties in Europe and the Seminar on Releas- 6 bandeh from Iran- individuals from TIPF, Iraqi Human Rights ing Captives of Interlink met with driving them in small Ministry. This would MKO terrorist Cult senior officials at the groups to nearby resi- offer the US military Ministry to talk about dential locations to appropriate help in Massoud Khoda- 7 the future of the Ira- make their own way. dealing with the bandeh replies and nian Mojahedin-e Mr Khodabandeh told evacuation of TIPF Alseyassah explains Khalq cult in that the Iraqi Human and also Camp Ashraf MKO! Let our chil- 8 country. Rights officials that within the framework dren go! During the three hour although more diffi- of Iraqi law. meeting, Massoud cult to achieve it The officials at the UK not convinced at 8 Khodabandeh ex- would have been Ministry of Human claim MKO has pressed concern for more effective to Rights gave a very renounced terrorism the human rights have removed the clear answer saying Former MKO seek- 9 situation of people MKO members from that under no circum- ing refuge in West- involved in the Moja- Camp Ashraf first. stances whatsoever ern countries hedin cult. The This would allow any- would any member or American Forces in one who wished to former member of the Terrorists in search 10, Iraq have been given leave the cult to find Mojahedin-e Khalq of identity 11 notice to evacuate a place of safety in Organisation be al- MKO terror group 11, Camp Ashraf and its TIPF and to seek ref- lowed to remain on engaged in hostile 12 surrounds before the uge under US protec- Iraqi soil. They gave action towards the land is returned to its tion. two main reasons for US forces. rightful owner by a Mr Khodabandeh re- this decisive position. court. This means quested that the indi- Firstly, that the MKO that over 3,000 peo- viduals involved in have been responsi- ple must be urgently the evacuation of ble for the murder of re-located. American TIPF be provided im- many Iraqi citizens. Military Police have mediate help. They Respect for the rights already begun to must be afforded a and memories of the empty the Temporary safety net and not families of these vic- International Pres- allowed to fall tims make it impossi- ence Facility (TIPF) through the system to ble for the MKO to which had been es- fend for themselves, continue any pres- tablished adjacent to he said. This would ence in the country. Camp Ashraf to house include around 100 individuals wishing to (cont. p5) N EJ AT N EWS LETT ER P AG E 2
British Government answer to the 'Lords of Terror'
"...Lord Malloch-Brown: jaheddin Organisation of over a very long period of My Lords, I certainly con- Iran. time and that its disarming cede the point that the or- The Minister of State, was entirely pragmatic—in ganisation is led by a Foreign and Common- the event of the coalition woman [Iran-Interlink wealth Office (Lord Mal- forces forcing it to disarm editor - the PMOI is led loch-Brown): My Lords, after the intervention in by a man, Massoud Ra- the House will be aware Iraq. We have seen no evi- javi, who is the sole de- that the People’s Mujahed- dence that the organisation cision maker in the or- din Organisation of Iran is has publicly renounced vio- ganisation, Maryam Ra- currently on the domestic lence and terrorism. We javi is only his lieuten- list of proscribed organisa- have to be consistent in our ant.], but I will risk the tions. The House might also views of terrorists. When wrath of a portion of this be aware that the Pro- we like the people whom House when I say that de- scribed Organisations Ap- terrorists attack, we call spite that, and despite what peal Commission recently them “terrorists”; when it is it says about the rights of determined that it should the civilians women, the PMOI was in- be removed from this list. 5 Feb 2008 : Column 949 volved in numerous terror- Proscription at the EU level of Iran who are attacked, ist attacks for a very ex- is based in part on the UK’s we have a bad habit of tended period. At the time domestic proscription. Her thinking of them as libera- of the second Gulf War, it Majesty’s Government are tion fighters. Terrorism and was considered by coalition appealing the decision of its tactics are objectionable forces to be completely as- the Proscribed Organisa- irrespective of the target. similated into the security tions Appeal Commission Lord Archer of Sandwell: apparatus of the Saddam and the domestic proscrip- My Lords, will my noble Hussein regime. Indeed, we tion will remain in force un- friend confirm that in addi- had to disarm the organisa- til that appeals process is tion to the ruling of the tion to the extent of 2,100 complete. European Court of First In- tanks, vehicles and artillery Lord Eden of Winton: My stance and the judgment of pieces. Since then it has Lords, that Answer is disap- POAC, after careful consid- made no renunciation of pointing, to put it mildly. eration of all the evidence, terrorism and disarmed Does the Minister accept some years ago the Ameri- only in the face of pressure that the findings of the Pro- can authorities in Iraq con- from coalition forces; so, scribed Organisations Ap- ducted a careful investiga- despite what it has to say peal Commission were ab- tion into the allegation and on women’s rights, we are solutely clear: that the concluded that it was to- not convinced that in other PMOI is not concerned with tally without substance? regards this organisation terrorism? In those circum- Why do the Government has permanently renounced stances, why do the British cling so obstinately to a terrorism...." Government persist in the discredited allegation by a Lords Hansard, February 4, policy of appeasement of discredited Iranian Govern- 2008 the mullah regime, which ment? http://www.publication has yielded no benefit Lord Malloch-Brown: My s.parliament.uk/pa/ld20 whatever and is doing a Lords, I cannot confirm to 0708/ldhansrd/text/80 grave injustice to the my noble and learned 205-0001.htm peace-loving people of friend the circumstances of Iran: People's Mujaheddin Iran? the US investigation that he Organisation Lord Malloch-Brown: My refers to, but I certainly 2.51 pm Lords, the noble Lord is, I can confirm that we will Lord Eden of Winton think, aware that the POAC respect the outcome of the asked Her Majesty’s judgment turned around appeals process. Government: particular aspects of the Lord Lloyd of Berwick: Whether they will make decision. We continue to My Lords, can the noble representations to the believe that the PMOI was Lord give us some further European Union to de- responsible for a number of indication of what the proscribe the People’s Mu- serious military attacks grounds of appeal are? N EJ AT N EWS LETT ER P AG E 3
British Government answer to the 'Lords of Terror'
Lord Malloch-Brown: My sians were there, Israel who is the sole decision Lords, the judgment arrived was set up by violent revo- maker in the organisa- at was that the behaviours lution, Ireland was set up tion, Maryam Rajavi is of the organisation really by violent revolution and in only his lieutenant.], but amounted to a separation South Africa we, to a cer- I will risk the wrath of a from the use of terrorist tain extent, encouraged portion of this House when tactics. We just believe that violence by the ANC. We I say that despite that, and there has not been a clear cannot say that all violence despite what it says about enough renunciation of against tyrannical regimes the rights of women, the those tactics. Instead, we is wrong. We also sup- PMOI was involved in nu- see the decision as a prag- ported the French resis- merous terrorist attacks for matic one in the face of tance and the Dutch resis- a very extended period. At American and British force. tance in the war; the time of the second Gulf Until we are convinced that 5 Feb 2008 : Column 950 War, it was considered by the organisation has really Montgomery objected to coalition forces to be com- foresworn those tactics, we that because he said it re- pletely assimilated into the continue to believe it to be minded him of Palestinian security apparatus of the a threat to civilians. and Irish terrorists. Surely Saddam Hussein regime. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: the Government are still in Indeed, we had to disarm My Lords, can the Minister a muddle and ought to the organisation to the ex- assure us that the Govern- start thinking straight. tent of 2,100 tanks, vehi- ment are consistent in their Lord Malloch-Brown: My cles and artillery pieces. definition of terrorists? We Lords, the noble Earl will Since then it has made no have a great variety of ex- understand that we have renunciation of terrorism iled groups in London— always objected, most re- and disarmed only in the Tamils, Kurds, people from cently in the case of Ire- face of pressure from coali- the north and south Cauca- land, to unwarranted at- tion forces; so, despite sus and so on. We host tacks on civilian targets. what it has to say on those groups, although a There is a big difference women’s rights, we are not number of them support between military cam- convinced that in other re- opposition groups in their paigns that fall within the gards this organisation has own countries that are not Geneva conventions and permanently renounced always non-violent. Are the the rest of international law terrorism. Government confident that and abusive campaigns Lord Harries of Pentre- that they are consistent in that target asymmetrically garth: My Lords, it was en- their approach? civilians. I hope we have a couraging to hear the Min- Lord Malloch-Brown: My consistent policy towards ister say that Her Majesty’s Lords, the noble Lord raises such groups. Government would accept a very important point. In Baroness Turner of Cam- the outcome of the appeals the case of the Tamils, the den: My Lords, is my noble process. Can we accept LTTE is a proscribed organi- friend aware that the PMOI, that, as a clear implication sation. It is quite difficult which is led by a woman, of that, Her Majesty’s Gov- determining which groups Madam Rajavi, has an ernment will accept that in this country fall on which agenda for peaceful change this organisation should no side of the line—and which via a political process, be- longer be a proscribed ter- support peaceful change in lieves in a human rights rorist organisation? their countries and which agenda, including women’s Lord Malloch-Brown: My support violent change and rights, and its policies are Lords, one must always finance it. We look very the sort that we should fight terrorism in the con- carefully at that issue on a support? text of the rule of law and continuing basis Lord Malloch-Brown: My respect for judicial deci- The Earl of Onslow: My Lords, I certainly concede sions. One stoops to the Lords, is not the noble Lord the point that the organisa- standards of one’s terrorist getting in a terrible mud- tion is led by a woman opponents if one does oth- dle? Frankly, we supported [Iran-Interlink editor - erwise. We will fully respect violent revolution in Af- the PMOI is led by a the decision of the appeals ghanistan when the Rus- man, Massoud Rajavi, process. N EJ AT N EWS LETT ER P AG E 4
Canadian Government says Parents of Girl
Trapped in Rajavi cult are in danger (My parents’ lives are at them to be transferred to a making tireless efforts to risk , I hold Mojahedin safe country. The Canadian bring Mojahedin before the Khalgh accountable for agent expressed the gov- justice very soon. Mojahe- their safety) din try to terrorize the process of the court for hearing on assault and ab- Mohammad Mohammadi, duction charges. January 12, 2008 Mojahedin offered bribe to http://toeme.blogfa.com/ the TV station reporter and his boss no to air the report Today at 16:10pm I was on Somaye and my parents informed by Canadian gov- anymore. The offer was re- ernment that according to ernment’s concern on their jected by the Al-Iraqi TV . Iraqi government my par- safety. ents , Mostafa Mohammadi Due to conspiracy for failed My parents lives are at risk and My mom, Mahbubeh attempt to abduct my par- , I hold Mojahedin Khalgh (Hamzeh) Mohammadi, are ents in front of Ashraf by accountable for their not safe any more in Iraq Mojahedin Khalgh on Dec safety. and asked Canada to help 7, 2007, my parent are
Those who fought their own people
A documentary ousted Iraqi dictator Sad-
dam Hussein. The movie depicts US Un- aired by the dersecretary Nicholas Burns Swedish Televi- According to the documen- declining to answer the sion tary, the Iraqi dictator had question that if Washington equipped the Mujahedin-e is using the MKO for intelli- Khalq Organization (MKO) gence gathering. The terrorist group MKO with sophisticated gadgets was spying for the US to pave the way for their during the Iran-Iraq terrorist acts against the An MKO leader has recently war, gathering intelli- gence on Iran's nuclear program, a new report says.
Press TV, January 14, 2008
Iranian nation. revealed that the group is
http://www.presstv.ir/detai providing the US with the l.aspx?id=38640§ionid intelligence 'necessary to =351020101 The one-hour historical protect US troops in Iraq.' documentary said that the A documentary aired by a MKO was blacklisted as a The group moved to Iraq Swedish TV channel, has terrorist group for attacking during Saddam's regime also revealed that the MKO a number of American na- and assisted the Baath also involved in espionage tionals in Iran. Party in the massacre of operation on behalf of thousands of Iraqis. N EJ AT N EWS LETT ER P AG E 5
Iraqi TV documentary about MKO's Canadian Hostage in Iraq
Al-Iraqia TV, Iraq,
The full translation January 10, 2008 of this film will be posted shortly. Al-Iraqia TV broadcasted a documentary about two Ca- nadian sitizens, Mostafa a n d M a h b o o - beh Mohammady, who have gone to Iraq in an at- tempt to rescue their daughter from Mojahedin Khalq Organisation terrorist cult currently under protec- We have now re- tion of US army in Ashraf ceived a copy of this camp North of Baghdad. documentary.
Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights: NGO should facilitate safe MKO
exit from Iraq (cont. from p1) Secondly, and perhaps more which has resulted in indict- Iraqi Government would under urgently, the MKO remains ment papers and arrest war- no circumstances have any directly attached to the Baath rants being issued against the direct contact with anyone Party and former members of three leading MKO members in from the MKO or even former Saddam Hussein’s regime. Iraq, Abbas Davari, the MKO’s members of the MKO in Iraq. Should amnesty by given to political liaison official in Camp All of these people must leave any MKO and they escape, Ashraf, Mozhgan Parsaii, the Iraq. However, Ministry offi- they would pose a danger to Commander of Rajavi's army cials conceded that they are Iraq. They have been trained in Iraq and Sediqeh Hoseini, willing to work with appropri- by Saddam Hussein’s Republi- the Secretary General of the ate human rights organisations can Guards and maintain the MKO, in three separate courts as well as Iran-Interlink and potential to perform terrorist including the Baghdad Crimi- its representatives to provide acts anywhere in Iraq. nal Court. temporary help and to facili- tate the safe removal of these people. The officials gave permission for an NGO to be established to offer humanitarian emer- gency aid to those who will be evacuated from the camps. To compound this decision, The Human Rights Ministry The Ministry of Human Rights officials pointed out that the officials said Iraq’s Govern- would work with the NGO to case of the Mojahedin has now ment will demand the US hand de-brief individuals from the been moved from the jurisdic- over these individuals, stress- MKO and to help reunite them tion of the Government of Iraq ing that US refusal to comply with their families. Temporary to the Iraqi Judiciary which with Iraqi law will not reflect places of refuge will be estab- now has the task of making positively on the US presence lished to help these people. ruling judgements on the in that country. This would not For any who request repatria- group and its members. be a political decision but is tion to Iran, the Ministry and This is a highly significant step based on the separate findings the International Committee of as it takes the MKO out of the of three Iraqi judges. The Judi- the Red Cross would jointly political arena and places the ciary will send police to arrest guarantee that their human future of the group in a legal the individuals concerned. rights would not be violated. framework. In this framework The meeting concluded with However, if third countries judgement has already been the Iraqi Human Rights Minis- were sought, the NGO must reached by several judges try again stressing that the find these itself. N EJ AT N EWS LETT ER P AG E 6
Seminar on Releasing Captives of MKO Terrorist Cult
Nejat Society, everyone is held responsible by the MKO while the truth is 11th of January 2008 against the leadership while he that women are expected to A seminar on the subject of is considered as impeccable. work even harder than men and how to release the members of Mr. Khodabandeh mentioned their emotions are also system- the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organi- the efforts made by the families atically suppressed more. She zation (MKO) who are held both within the framework of the Ne- clarified that members are ex- mentally and physically captive jat Society to organize meet- pected to dislike whoever they in the Ashraf Camp in Iraq was ings with their beloved ones adored before particularly the held in Iraq. He clarified that highly attended by the families restoring the family emotions in the city of Shiraz despite the could lead to the savior of the cold and snowy weather. The member from the psychological families of the members of the boundaries the person is held MKO who anxiously desired in. visiting their beloved ones after so many years had gathered in this seminar organized by the Nejat Society in the city of Shi- members of their family. She raz on 11th of January 2008 in also explained that all discon- the Red Crescent Hall of that tented members are labeled as city. being metal cases. Miss Dashti Mr. Bagherzadeh referred to all also referred to the high level of mistreatments and confine- dissatisfaction amongst the ments applied against discon- forces inside the Ashraf Camp tented members inside the who find no way out. MKO and underlined that al- The hatred amongst the fami- though his brother was in the lies in the hall of seminar was same base with him but he did to the extent that they started not see his brother for more shouting and cursing Mas’ud than one and a half years. Rajavi the leader of the MKO who has caused all these mis- eries for the families and their Mr. Ebrahim Khodabandeh, Mr. beloved ones. Kambiz Bagherzadeh, and Miss Ronak Dashti the former mem- bers of the MKO delivered speeches in this seminar. Mr. Khodabandeh while describing the common methods used by Miss Dashti another former all cults to manipulate and to member of the MKO who had brainwash the followers, gave some bitter experiences while some examples on practices residing in the Ashraf Camp in In the end the families wrote applied within the MKO cult and Iraq explained how his brother separate letters of request to referred to the subjects such as and her were deceived by the the International Committee of the family relationship, the MKO to be taken to Iraq and to the Red Cross (ICRC) and the emotional feelings, expressing the Ashraf Camp and how she Iraqi government demanding opinions, make of choice, think- was finally released thanks to the arrangement of a visit with ing independently, showing the efforts made by her mother their beloved ones by their own excitements, and presentation who traveled to Iraq and de- expenses without the presence of caring, to be highly restricted manded the visit with his of any third party as soon as and are considered as unforgiv- daughter. She described how possible. able sins. He emphasized that the families could play a major The core slogan of the seminar according to the MKO’s ideol- roll to try to free their beloved was: “the release of our chil- ogy all fondness and emotions ones from captivity. dren from the boundaries of the must be entirely directed to- She described that giving high MKO terrorist cult and arrang- wards the leadership. He ex- commanding positions to the ing a visit between the families plained that inside the MKO women is a sham gesture taken and their beloved ones” N EJ AT N EWS LETT ER P AG E 7
Massoud Khodabandeh replies and "Alseyassah" explains
Alseyassah, he lives in the United King- paper's editors have acted
dom and is currently visit- properly in giving him the February07, 2008 ing Iraq at the invitation of right to reply. government officials, and In this connection, it is im- http://alseyassah.com/ was invited in order to at- portant for "Alseyassah" to news_details.asp?nid=3 tend various meeting on explain to Mr and Mrs 713&snapt=اﻟﺪوﻟﻴﺔ the issue of foreign terrorist Khodabandeh and to our groups in Iraq. He adds readers that what was pub- that "in the course of this lished on the first of Febru- work I have regular contact ary was an announcement with the US army and rele- and not an article and it vant humanitarian bodies was not simply ascribed to and I am seeking ways to anonymous sources but it Anne Khodabandeh, who is rescue people from the made clear in it that it was of British nationality and hands of the Saddamists in an announcement issued by the wife of the Iranian Mas- Diyali province". He consid- the "League of Iraqi Aca- soud Khodabandeh, replied ers that "as all Kuwaiti citi- demics and Educationalists" to the article published by zens know all too well, the and it is important to ex- "Alseyassah" on the first of "Mojahedin-e Khalq" or- plain that the accusations this month under the head- ganisation acted as Sad- made by the League that ing "Iraqi warnings from dam's private army in Iraq Mrs Ann and her husband the agent of the Iranian and helped to crush the are "working in the service regime by the name of Kurdish uprising in 1991 at of the Iranian security ser- Massoud Khodabandeh", in the end of the first Gulf vices in Iraq and that they a letter sent to the cultural war. The Iraqi Government are carrying out the tasks office at the embassy of the is now determined to re- of the Iranian regime under State of Kuwait in London, move all remnants of the false pretences" were accu- of which "Alseyassah" has Baathist regime, including s at i on s carried by received a copy. In the re- the Iranian foreign terrorist "Alseyassah" but not es- ply, Massoud says that "the group "Mojahedin-e Khalq", poused by it, as was stated article was slanderous and from its territory". He adds in the announcement itself. defamatory to my good "I have trav- name and unfortunately its elled to Iraq to anonymous writer did not help th ose try to contact me by email people who or by telephone or at my want to leave address in Britain, or at the the group to Centre de Recherches sur find refuge and le Terrorisme in Paris return to their where I work". He refers to families and to the scurrilous accusation normal life." made by the remnants of He concludes the Baathist regime in Iraq by saying that which links his name and readers of the his wife's name to the Ira- newspaper nian intelligence services - " A l se y as s ah " which is completely untrue will understand and there is not a shred of now why the evidence for the lies which Saddamists appear in that article. have tried to blacken his He also gives the reason name and he why it was published. Mr states that the Khodabandeh explains that N EJ AT N EWS LETT ER P AG E 8
'MKO! Let our children go!'
Sat, 26 Jan 2008 to Iran. of insanity about the time they Following those images, the spent cooperating with the commentator of the program group. explained that the MKO are According to RAI, MKO's for- communists who were sup- mer financial head has re- The families of several mem- ported by the former Iraqi dic- vealed that members of the bers of Mojahedin Khalq Or- tator Saddam Hussein and group live in absolute poverty ganization on an Italian TV later fled to Europe and the and in the absence of their program call for their children United States. families, while the organiza- to return. The commentator continued tion's leader, Mas'oud Rajavi that the Mojahedin separated and his wife Maryam, live lav- The program, called 'La Ru- many families by using per- ishly. brica Politica Estera', was aired by Italy's state broadcaster suasion techniques similar to The program said that the RAI1 on Friday. At the begin- those of pol pot, the former group currently seeks to steer ning of the program a number communist head of Cambodia. the dispute over Iran's nuclear of Iranian families were shown The program pointed out that issue to more dismal corners holding pictures of their de- many of the terrorist organiza- by writing a letter to the US ceived children, asking for tion's staff and senior mem- following the January 4 Strait them to be allowed to return bers have told unsettling tales of Hormuz naval incident.
UK not convinced at claim MKO has renounced terrorism
IRNA, February 06, 2008 there was "no evidence" it long period of time," he http://www2.irna.ir/en had changed and that it said without listing the /news/view/line- was "certainly the case it hundred of Iranians killed 20/0802062091155142. has been involved in terror- in terrorist assassinations. htm ist activity." "There is a big difference Foreign Office Minister Lord Speaking during a House of between military cam- Malloch-Brown says that Lords debate, the Foreign paigns that fall within the the British government is Office minister added that Geneva conventions and not convinced at that the there was also "no evidence the rest of international law Mujahideen-e Khalq has that the organization has and abusive campaigns given up terrorism, saying publicly renounced violence that target asymmetrically its forced disarmament by and terrorism." civilians. I hope we have a US forces was "entirely "We have to be consistent consistent policy towards pragmatic." in our views of terrorists," such groups," the minister During the Iraq war, the he told supporters of pro- added. MKO was "considered by tracted attempts to have "Its disarming was entirely coalition forces to be com- the MKO removed from pragmatic-in the event of pletely assimilated into the Britain's domestic list of the coalition forces forcing security apparatus of the proscribed organizations, it to disarm after the inter- Saddam Hussein regime," suggesting they had been vention in Iraq," he empha- Malloch-Brown said. falsely influenced. sized. "Indeed, we had to disarm "When we like the people Malloch Brown also said the organization to the ex- whom terrorists attack, we that despite its claims on tent of 2,100 tanks, vehi- call them 'terrorists,' when supporting women's rights cles and artillery pieces. it is the civilians of Iran and being led by a woman, Since then it has made no who are attacked, we have "we are not convinced that renunciation of terrorism a bad habit of thinking of in other regards this or- and disarmed only in the them as liberation fighters," ganization has permanently face of pressure from coali- Malloch-Brown said. renounced terrorism." tion forces," he said. "Terrorism and its tactics "Until we are convinced Prime Minister Gordon are objectionable irrespec- that the organization has Brown confirmed in Decem- tive of the target," he said. really foresworn those tac- ber that the British govern- The MKO was "responsible tics, we continue to believe ment would not de- for a number of serious it to be a threat to civil- proscribe the MKO, saying military attacks over a very ians," he said. N EJ AT N EWS LETT ER P AG E 9
Former MKO seeking refuge in western countries
Javad Firuzmand in- crossing the Turkish border and there is no information about the returned to Iraq, a few managed destiny of other 8. terviewed by Mehrdad to remain in Turkey or go to The BBC's effort to contact the Farahmand Greece illegally. UNHCR to obtain information about The Society for Defending Immi- the destiny of these MKO dissi- grants and Iranians in France dents did not reach anywhere but (ARIA) tries to help the MKO dissi- enquiries are still ongoing. The dents to leave Iraq and settle in ARIA society which is a human another country. According to this rights establishment defending society 208 MKO dissidents were Iranians has demanded help for staying in the US camp up to last these people and the chance to live BBC Persian Service, month. The press office of the US legally in European or other free forces today gives their number at countries. During the last four January 26, 2008 110. Javad Firuzmand, the spokes- years some MKO dissidents have The military coalition under the US man of ARIA society who himself returned to Iran - the press office commandment in Iraq confirmed has left the MKO says that this of forces under US command in that some MKO members have left number had reduced to 50 last Iraq gives their number at 380. this organisation and their base in week and the number 110 indi- Javad Firuzmand, the spokesman Iraq. cates that some of those who had of ARIA society says that these Confirmation of this news takes left there have returned to the US individuals are living and working place after some reports were pub- camp. in several Iranian cities and are lished indicating that in the past Mr Firuzmand told the BBC that 70 freely active in the society and he few weeks the efforts of dozens of of the dissidents tried to go to Tur- himself is in contact with some of former MKO to escape Iraq and key after they left the Americas them. According to him, inside seek refuge in western countries with the aid of some smugglers, Camp Ashraf which is still run by have failed and many of them are but the Turkish border police ar- the MKO, some 200 individuals left hanging around in Iraq where rested them and after one month have left the MKO too. These peo- they are in a very desperate situa- in prison and remaining in compul- ple are not willing to move to the tion. sory camp were handed over to American's camp and they are kept the Iraqi Police. One of these peo- in a separate place inside Ashraf. In the past four years since Iraq Mr Firuzmand says that these peo- was occupied by the US forces and ple was shot and wounded by the border police and is in hospital now ple also seek refuge from western its allies, some MKO members countries. gradually left this organization and in the city of Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. The spokesman of Camp Ashraf was established in Camp Ashraf which is their base in 1986 after MKO leader [Massoud Iraq. ARIA society says that the autono- mous government of Iraqi Kurdi- Rajavi] moved from France to Iraq The US army which is guarding stan is keeping the people who and the members of this organisa- Camp Ashraf during this period, were handed over by the Turkish tion launched an armed struggle kept the dissidents under its own police in a temporary camp in Arbil. against Iran benefiting from the protection in a camp near to this But some of these people tried military facilities given by Saddam base. As the press office of coali- again to cross the Turkish border. Hussein's regime. They partici- tion forces under the US command Ten of them were arrested again pated in military operations against has informed the BBC, during the by the Turkish police and handed Iran during the Iran Iraq war. This last four years 380 individuals of over to Iraqi police and they are base is situated in the district of MKO have returned to Iran at their now in prison in Arbil. Amongst Khalis in the province of Dyala in own request. But those dissidents those who managed to cross the the east of Iraq and the coalition who did not wish to return to Iran border ten were able to reach forces under US command have despite the efforts made by the Greece with the aid of smugglers given the total number of individu- United States did not gain the con- and 15 are living covertly in Istan- als living there as 3360. The United firmation of any country for their States designated the MKO as a bul and Ankara and Van in Turkey. application for refuge. terrorist organisation but according According to Javad Firuzmand, the to international regulations and Meanwhile, reports indicate that MKO dissidents who are staying in within the last few weeks, dozens Geneva Convention, they are kept Turkey could not approach the under the entity of "protected per- of them decided to leave the camp Human Rights and Turkish organi- they were living in which was pro- sons". zations since if they are revealed tected by the US forces and try to they would be arrested and re- The Iranian government demands leave Iraq through different ways turned to Iraq. The ten who stay in that Camp Ashraf be dismantled but this effort was unsuccessful for Greece are also in covert situation and all MKO members be expelled most of them and they returned to in that country. The ARIA society from Iraq and accuses the Ameri- the camp protected by the US spokesman added that about 15 cans of protecting them in order to forces. Some were arrested after individuals approached Jordan and use them against Iran. N EJ AT N EWS LETT ER P AG E 1 0
Terrorists in search of identity
Straits Times including a 2002 call to end agreeing not to take up arms. the US proscription signed by The MEK was also disarmed.' Robert Karniol 150 members of Congress. In However, this is contradicted Defence Writer fact, some have suggested by earlier statements that MEK February 4, 2008 that Washington originally members' status was changed tagged it as a terrorist group from 'prisoners of war' to THEY are Iraq's forgotten ter- in 1997 as a gesture to Iran's 'protected persons' in June rorists, more than 3,000 fight- newly elected reformist presi- 2004. ers of the Mujahideen-e Khalq dent. 'The change in their status is (MEK) languishing at one of The US proscription neverthe- linked to the change of author- their former military camps less remains in place, and the ity (on June 28, 2004, when some 100km north of Bagh- EU Council continues to black- an interim government as- dad. list the MEK despite a Decem- sumed control of Iraq). It was 'They are definitely in a legal ber 2006 ruling by the Euro- also prompted by a process limbo. No one wants them,' pean Court of Justice that that saw each individual dis- said Mr Said Boumedouha, a overturned Brussels' edict arm and renounce violence,' researcher at Amnesty Inter- freezing MEK funds. Lieutenant-Colonel Barry John- national in London. No one, There are currently some son, a US spokesman for de- that is, e xc e p t I ra n . 3,360 MEK members at Camp tainee operations in Iraq, told The MEK, also known as the Ashraf, located in Iraq's Diyala me at that time. MKO or the People's Muja- province. About 110 others are The shift is curious in either hideen of Iran, is described as defectors seeking refugee case. 'Protected person' status an Islamic Socialist group that status and residing at the Ash- applies to civilians, whereas advocates the overthrow of raf refugee camp. Some have the MEK personnel were uni- Iran's government. Founded in been voluntarily repatriated to formed soldiers in an estab- Teheran in 1965, it opposed Iran, claiming they were lished army - and affiliated the rule of Iran's shah, but forced to join the MEK after with a proscribed terrorist was violently suppressed after being taken prisoner by Iraq in group at that. 'It is not the the Iranian revolution as it the Iran-Iraq war. The Inter- responsibility of the ICRC to was viewed as a threat by national Committee of the Red independently determine their Ayatollah Khomeini's newly Cross (ICRC) says it has status,' said ICRC official established regime. helped in the repatriation of Dorothea Krimitsas in an e- With its headquarters relo- 255 former fighters, most re- mail from Geneva. The ICRC cated to Iraq in 1986, the MEK cently just this month, but the has never visited Camp Ashraf fought with Saddam Hussein's US-led Multinational Force in due to security concerns. But forces in the Iran-Iraq war of Iraq provides a figure of 380. the coalition would contend 1980-1988. They were organ- Though part of the Iraqi army, that this may be unnecessary ised as a conventionally armed the MEK effectively declared as the MEK members are not brigade with an estimated itself neutral when coalition being detained. fighting strength of 6,000 to forces invaded the country in 'Neither the active MEK mem- 8,000 personnel. In mid-1994, March 2003, and surrendered bers nor the former MEK refu- Iraq's Ministry of Defence an- without a fight after suffering gees are being detained,' said nounced that these fighters a few air attacks. But there is Major Danielson. 'The Ashraf had been formally integrated some confusion concerning its refugee camp refugees have with the country's armed subsequent status. every right to depart and forces. 'The MEK were never captured travel in Iraq using an Iraqi- The MEK is designated as a or classified as prisoners of issued laissez-passer. They terrorist organisation by the war (under the Third Geneva can also repatriate to Iran if United States, the European Convention). 'Protected per- they desire, or they may stay Union and several individual son' status (under the Fourth in the camp. countries - in part, it seems, Geneva Convention) was 'The active MEK members who because of anti-Western at- granted as part of a ceasefire live in Camp Ashraf have tacks and assassinations be- agreement negotiated be- 'protected persons' status. As fore the Iranian revolution. tween the US and MEK,' ex- part of the ceasefire agree- Teheran also views the MEK plained Major Winfield Daniel- ment, they may travel outside members as terrorists and has son, a press officer with coali- the city of Ashraf but must do sought their extradition from tion forces in Baghdad. so under the protection of coa- Iraq. 'Each member of the MEK was lition forces.' There have been efforts to lift required to sign a document Nor are MEK members at the yoke of this designation, renouncing violence and Camp Ashraf facing criminal N EJ AT N EWS LETT ER P AG E 1 1
Terrorists in search of identity
charges, with Major Danielson ing to Article 133. sonnel at Camp Ashraf as noting that 'they are not The ICRC maintains that the something of a humanitarian charged with criminal of- Iraq war ended with the trans- act in keeping with the fences'. This appears peculiar fer of sovereignty to the coun- 'protected persons' provision. in view of existing laws in the try's interim government in If that is the case, the coali- US and elsewhere that crimi- June 2004, with the fighting tion is upholding the spirit of nalise support for terrorist or- since then characterised as 'an the Fourth Geneva Convention ganisations. internal conflict international- but perhaps not its legal man- According to the US State De- ised by the presence of multi- date, as Article Six states: 'In partment, for example: 'It is lateral forces'. the case of occupied territory, unlawful for a person in the US The coalition argues that the the application of the present or subject to the jurisdiction of MEK personnel at Camp Ashraf Convention shall cease one the US to knowingly provide are not being detained. But year after the close of military 'material support or resources' nor are they wandering about operations.' to a designated Foreign Ter- or relocating. However, some have sug- rorist Organisation.' 'Our position is that they gested an alternative interpre- As prisoners of war, the MEK shouldn't be returned to Iran tation of the coalition's treat- personnel would have to be due to the fear of torture and ment of the MEK people. 'released and repatriated with- the death penalty. And they Unconfirmed allegations have out delay after the cessation of shouldn't be handed over to surfaced in Teheran and else- hostilities', according to Article Iraq for the same reason,' said where that the US Central In- 118 of the Third Geneva Con- Amnesty's Mr Boumedouha. telligence Agency is using the vention. For 'protected per- 'Their immediate future looks MEK for covert operations in sons' under the Fourth Geneva bleak.' Iran. Teheran failed to respond Convention 'internment shall In this context, Mr Boume- to a request to substantiate cease as soon as possible after douha sees the US-led coali- these claims. the close of hostilities', accord- tion's oversight of MEK per- rkarniol@gmail.com
Mojahedin-i Khalq terror group engaged in hostile action toward
the US forces party parent actually joined ... It also shows that the Iran, had been author- the Iraqi government later Mojahedin-i Khalq terror ized; that year). group engaged in hostile US Kills Innocents at Ad- It also shows that the Mo- action toward the US war jahedin-i Khalq terror group forces, but also were Mass Grave with 50 Bod- engaged in hostile action granted a truce in 2005. ies Found at Samarra toward the US forces, but The MEK is an Iranian The Bush administration also were granted a truce terror group that has authorized hot pursuit of in 2005. The MEK is an Ira- killed civilians inside Iraqi Baathists into Syria nian terror group that has Iran and was given a and Iran, according to a killed civilians inside Iran base in just-released document at and was given a base in Iraq by wikileak. The document Iraq by Saddam Hussein. S a dd a m also reveals that as late as US Neoconservatives have Hussein... 2005, the US military au- tended to support it and to thorities were still unaware want to use it to do further Juan that the "mobile weapons terrorism against Iran. The Cole, labs" were a Neocon scam MEK has been defended by and never exi st ed. Patrick Clawson of the February (Biological weapons labs Washington Institute for 06, 2008 require a clean room, diffi- Near East Policy (the think http://www.juancole.com/2 cult to install on a winne- tank of the American Israel 008/02/h ot -pursuit -in t o- bago). Public Affairs Committee) syria-iran-had-been.html The document shows that and by notorious Islamo- (Juan Cole is President of by 2005, the US military phobe and Giuliani adviser the Global Americana Insti- had a de facto truce with Daniel Pipes. Danny Pos- tute) the Mahdi Army (a para- tel explains cogently. In Hot Pursuit into Syria, military whose political other words, key figures in Mojahedin-i Khalq terror group engaged in hostile action toward the US forces the Israel lobbies political violence safa, the eastern TheBriefing support a terrorist group that has fired on Monday: 'SAMARRA - Iraqi po- side of Baghdad in the following on US troops. neighborhoods (1 Publicationof US forces raided the village of Ad- lice and members of a neighborhood police unit found a mass body in Ur, 1 body in Jisr Diyala and 1 grave containing Nejat Society war south of Tik- rit on Monday, and appear to have about 50 bodies in an area west of Samarra, 100 km (60 miles) body in Shaab). The fourth body was found in mistakenly killed an Washash neighbor- north of Baghdad, po- Awakening Council hood in Karkh, the lice said. Security fighter, a woman forces had been western side of and two children, searching for al Baghdad. wounding another Qaeda fighters when Misan girl as well. It may they found a house Three officers in Address be that they were with 10 people inside the Iraqi army were E-mail: info@nejatngo.org baited into firing on who had been kid- killed by gunmen in the family by anti- napped from the area. t h ree diff eren t P.O. Box 14395/679, Tehran American guerrillas. Some of those inside neighborhoods in Fax: 88 96 10 31 This mistake is the led police to the grave. Umara city south of second such in re- Three car bombs were B aghdad t oday cent days, and also found. morning. The first adds to a strain felt KHALIS - Six sus- officer was a colo- between the Sunni pected militants were nel who was a Lieu- Arab Awakening killed during opera- tenant Colonel who Councils and their tions by U.S. forces was killed in al targeting al Qaeda American patrons. Askari neighbor- near Khalis, 80 km (50 The LAT reports hood downtown miles) north of Bagh- on how difficult it Umara city. The dad. Three died when has been for the one of the suspected second officer was US military to root militants detonated a a Major who was out the Salafi Jihadi vest packed with ex- killed in the new extremists from plosiv es. Another buildings neighbor- Diyala province. three were killed by hood downtown Sawt al-Iraq re- U.S. soldiers in a [A]mara city while ports in Arabic nearby building. the third officer was that hundreds of [Taji] - One member of Lieutenant who was Iraq's actors and a neighborhood police killed in his car performers staged unit and a civilian while he was re- a demonstration on were killed by a sui- turning back home Sunday in front of cide bomber close to in al Uroba the national theater an internet cafe at neighborhood in Baghdad to pro- Taji, 20 km (12 miles) downtown [A]mara We’re on the web test their loss of north of Baghdad, a city. local tribal leader said. livelihood and dire Anbar www.nejatngo.org economic straits. . .' A source in the McClatchy adds: They called on Sahwa council of Baghdad Prime Minister Nuri Sheikh Sanad said Two civilians were al-Maliki to improve that three members injured in an IED their incomes just of the Sahwa were explosion that tar- as he had for gov- killed and five oth- geted an American ernment employ- ers were injured convoy in Palestine ees. Unlike US when a suicide Street east Bagh- screenwriters, they bomber wearing an dad around 12:00 N ej at Soci et y can't even go on pm. e x pl o si v e v es t strike-- they are detonated himself Police found four already largely un- near one of the bodies in Baghdad employed. check point of the today. Three bodies Reuters reports Sahwa office of were found in Ru-