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BHRC strongly condemns the killing of Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf

The Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) releases today a statement strongly condemning the killing of Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf by the Iraqi army on Sunday, 1 September 2013.  
STATEMENT
BHRC strongly condemns killing of refugees in Camp Ashraf

The Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) strongly condemns the killing of Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf by the Iraqi army on Sunday, 1 September 2013. At least 52 Ashraf residents, who have been recognised as ‘protected persons’ under the 4th Geneva Convention, were killed during what evidence indicates was an unprovoked and unlawful assault on Camp Ashraf. Reports say that more than a dozen residents were handcuffed by Iraqi forces and shot from behind while in their custody.

These killings which are described as a massacre carried out by Iraqi forces in which unarmed and defenceless people were shot while their hands are tied is a crime against humanity by all standards. Silence by the Iraqi authorities in response to this act constitutes complicity in it.

The BHRC urges the UN and US government to urgently evacuate the remaining wounded residents.

The BHRC furthermore calls on the UN and US to take urgent action for protection of the residents by either transferring them all to the US or other safe havens or by stationing UN Blue Helmet forces in Camps Ashraf and Liberty.

The BHRC calls on the UN Security Council to condemn the attack and take steps to bring the perpetrators to justice. We recommend that the Security Council refers the case to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

. The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (“BHRC”) is the international human rights arm of the Bar of England and Wales. It is an independent body concerned with protecting the rights of advocates, judges and human rights defenders around the world. The Committee is concerned with defending the rule of law and internationally recognised legal standards relating to human rights and the right to a fair trial. The remit of BHRC extends to all countries of the world, apart from its own jurisdiction of England & Wales. This reflects the Committee’s need to maintain its role as an independent but legally qualified observer, critic and advisor, with internationally accepted rule of law principles at the heart of its agenda.

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