European Parliament
Peter Šťastný  (PPE ). -
Mr President, Iranian refugees from Camp Ashraf will move to a new Camp Liberty, which the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly has compared to a prison camp. The green light was issued by the UN mission in Iraq. This approval was granted without the consent of Camp Ashraf residents, despite the promise of the UN Envoy, Ambassador Martin Kobler, that such approval be obtained.
The EU should take a much more active role, with Baroness Ashton’s direct involvement – especially after the refusal of the Iraqi Government to let it play an active part in the negotiations. In addition there are approximately 900 Camp Ashraf residents with links to Europe. Therefore, we need to stand shoulder to shoulder with our US friends in exerting pressure on Iraq and the UN for a quick and humane resolution. By the way, people like the refugees of Camp Ashraf are our best hope for a democratic and nuclear-free Iran.

