Call on the Security Council for independent investigations by the International Criminal Court

The International Committee In Search of Justice (ISJ) strongly condemns the secret burial of 52 Ashraf residents who were killed with their hands tied during the September 1 massacre by forces under Maliki’s command and at the order of the Iranian regime. The Iraqi Government’s goal is to destroy the incriminating evidence and to evade the consequences of their crimes against humanity. We express our condolences to Liberty residents, to relatives of the victims and to Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Resistance in regards to this tragedy.

From a humanitarian perspective, this action by the Iraqi Government is in violation of many provisions of international humanitarian law and the associated conventions that require respect for the dead and bodies of those killed even during wars. This action reveals the true antihuman nature of the Iraqi Government and its complete subordination to the Iranian regime.

From a legal perspective, refusing to deliver victims’ bodies to their relatives and friends in Liberty, their secret burial, refusal to identify the time and place of burial and preventing the release of autopsy results is clear evidence of the Iraqi Government’s full responsibility in the September 1 crime at Ashraf which eliminates any possible doubts about this. If the Iraqi Government was not an accomplice in this crime, why is it trying to destroy any incriminating evidence and preventing independent and unbiased investigations?

From a political perspective, this action by the Iraqi Government -which is the latest in a series of antihuman crimes- very well demonstrates the extent to which leaders of the United States, the European Union and the United Nations are responsible for Maliki’s repulsive refusal to abide by international laws. The silence and inaction by these powers vis-à-vis massacres in July 2009 and April 2011 encouraged the Iraqi Government towards the massacre of September 2013, and the lack of proper reaction in response to this crime, including the incomprehensible refusal by the UN and the Security Council to investigate it has encouraged the Iraqi Government to destroy the incriminating evidence.

During the last 5 and ½ months, ISJ as well as Parliamentary Groups from various countries, human rights defenders all over the world, and representatives of PMOI/MEK, NCRI, and residents of Ashraf and Liberty have called many times for an independent investigation of the September 1 crime by the United Nations, to no avail. Not investigating the crimes and identifying those who were responsible for them has no consequence other than encouraging the criminals to commit bigger crimes. In practice, this is clear complicity with criminals and must be stopped.

Once again we call on President Obama, leaders of the European Union, especially members of the UN Security Council, and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to have the Security Council make arrangements for conducting an independent investigation of the September 1 crime at Ashraf by the International Criminal Court.

Alejo Vidal-Quadras

Vice President of the European Parliament

President, International Committee In Search of Justice (ISJ)