UN News Centre

Ban appoints Holl Lute to aid relocation of Liberty residents

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Jane Holl Lute as his Special Adviser for Relocation of Camp Hurriya Residents Outside of Iraq. Ban appoints Holl Lute to aid relocation of Liberty residents

Camp Hurriya, located near the Baghdad airport, is home to some 3,200 Iranian exiles, many of them members of a group known as the People’s Mojahedeen of Iran who have been in Iraq since the 1980s.

Since 2011, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) together with the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), has been trying to find relocation opportunities outside Iraq for all camp residents. So far, the international community has secured relocation to third countries for only 311 residents.

In her new role, Ms. Holl Lute, a citizen of the United States, will work with a wide range of stakeholders, in particular Member States, to assist in relocating the camp residents, according to a statement from Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

Among her previous roles, Ms. Holl Lute served as the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support and Assistant Secretary-General for Mission Support in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).

Ms. Holl Lute most recently held the post of US Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. She was also the Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the UN Foundation and the Better World Fund, among other positions.

The newly appointed UN official will work with Mr. Ban’s Special Representative in Iraq and UNAMI head, Nickolay Mladenov, who last week reiterated that the Iraqi Government bears the responsibility for protecting the camp’s residents, as part of an agreement it signed with the UN in 2011.

Camp Hurriya, as well as Camp New Iraq (formerly Ashraf) which had previously housed the group, have been targeted for violent attacks.

January 6, 2014 0 comment

UN calls on Iraq to ensure safety of Liberty residents

The United Nations today called on the Iraqi Government to ensure maximum security for some 3,200 Iranian exiles in a camp near Baghdad airport after a rocket attack on the airport last night reportedly killed a number of residents and seriously wounded others. UN calls on Iraq to ensure safety of Liberty residents
"This is another stark reminder of the increasing violence in Iraq,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Nickolay Mladenov said, voicing deep concern at the attack, in which rockets fell on Camp Hurriya, which houses the exiles, many of them members of a group known as the People’s Mojahedeen of Iran who heration with the Camp Hurriya leadership, needs to take immediate action to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to maximise the security of the residents,” he added, stressing that responsibility for protecting the camp’s residents falls on the Government under an agreement it signed with the UN in 2011. “This latest incident must be fully investigated by the authorities and those responsible brought to justice."

Both Mr. Mladenov and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) urged the international community to urgently intensify efforts to find resettlement opportunities. “This is the ultimate guarantee of the security and safety of Camp Hurriya residents," he said.

Strongly condemning the rocket attack, UNHCR appealed to countries to act urgently on 1,400 cases from Camp Hurriya that have already been submitted for relocation. Since 2011, UNHCR, together with the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), has been trying to find relocation opportunities outside Iraq for all 3,200 residents of the camp, but so far, the international community has secured relocation to third countries of only 311 residents.

The agency said three residents were reportedly killed in the attack and many more wounded, at least four of them seriously and rushed to hospitals by the Iraqi authorities.

Camp Hurriya has already been hit on multiple occasions. Camp New Iraq (formerly Ashraf), where residents were previously staying, was also the target of an attack in the past. UNHCR has consistently deplored such unacceptable attacks.

“UNHCR remains deeply concerned for the safety of the residents of Camp Hurriya and is calling on the Government of Iraq to urgently scale up security measures in the camp to ensure the safety and security of its residents,” the agency said in a statement. “We are also urging the Government to launch a full scale independent investigation into all the incidents.”

December 28, 2013 0 comment

Ban Ki-moon to resolve situation of Camp Liberty residents

Ban Ki-moon committed to resolving situation of former residents of Iraq camp

BAN KI-MO Ban Ki-moon to resolve situation of residents of Camp Liberty ON COMMITTED TO RESOLVING SITUATION OF FORMER RESIDENTS OF IRAQ CAMP, TRUST FUND LAUNCHED

•The Secretary-General is committed to resolving the situation faced by the former residents of Camp New Iraq (Ashraf) – now residents of Camp Hurriya (Liberty) – in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian standards.

•He has taken note of the letters and other expressions of concern over their well-being and safety, from parliamentarians, political figures, civil society groups, and private individuals.

•Energies should be focused urgently now on the relocation of the residents of Camp Hurriya to safe and secure locations outside of Iraq. This is the only durable and sustainable solution. While the Secretary-General welcomes the generous offers by Member States that have enabled 240 out of the 3,174 individuals to settle outside of the country, it is essential to pick up the pace of the relocation. The Secretary-General calls on other Member States to follow suit and to offer residents the opportunity for safe relocation.

•In this connection, the United Nations is launching a Trust Fund initiative to cover costs relating to the relocation process. The Secretary-General appeals to Member States to contribute to this Fund.

•The Secretary-General reiterates the continued responsibility of the Government of Iraq to ensure the safety and security of the residents during their stay in Camp Hurriya.

Office of Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

October 26, 2013 0 comment

MEK Camp Ashraf

UN announces transfer of remaining Iranian exiles Camp Ashraf

12 September 2013 – A United Nations official in Iraq today announced the successful relocation of the last group of Camp Ashraf residents to a camp near the Baghdad area, pending their resettlement outside the country.

“The process, concluded today, has come a long way since its launch in February 2012, with the Government and the residents both abiding by the agreement between the UN and the Government of Iraq on the transfer of Camp Ashraf residents to the temporary transit location of Camp Hurriya,” said the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Gyorgy Busztin.

Camp Ashraf was comprised of Iranian exiles, many of them members of a group known as the People’s Mojahedeen of Iran.

More than 3,000 residents have been relocated to Camp Hurriya, previously known as Camp Liberty, while the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) carries out a process to determine their refugee status, and resettle them outside of the country, in line with an agreement signed in December 2011 between the UN and the Iraqi Government.

Camp Ashraf has been attacked several times, making relocation a priority for the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The latest attack, which took place earlier this month, killed and injured numerous camp residents.

“The tragic events of 1st September, when 52 residents lost their lives in a terrorist attack, while seven others are still unaccounted for, was a sombre reminder of the necessity to conclude the final phase of the relocation process without further delay,” Mr. Busztin said.

“Resettlement outside Iraq is now the priority, and it is urgent that countries ready to host the residents come forward to accept them, providing them a safe future outside Iraq.”

Mr. Busztin also called on the Iraqi Government to abide by its commitment to ensure maximum safety and security for Camp Hurriya residents until all of them leave the country.

September 14, 2013 0 comment

MEK Camp Ashraf

UN mission in Iraq witnesses aftermath of Ashraf attack

Iraq: UN human rights office, UN mission condemn attack on Camp Ashraf

3 September 2013 – The United Nations human rights office and the UN mission in Iraq today strongly UN human rights office, UN mission condemn attack on Camp Ashraf condemned the killing of dozens of people in Camp Ashraf north of Baghdad, urging the Iraqi Government to investigate what happened.

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) visited the site yesterday, meeting separately with the camp’s surviving residents and the commander of Diyala’s Police.

“Inside the camp, the delegation witnessed 52 bodies in a makeshift morgue,” UNAMI said in a news release, with seven people still missing after Sunday’s attack.

“All the deceased appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds, the majority of them in the head and the upper body, and several with their hands tied.

“The delegation also saw several damaged buildings, including one burnt, and was shown quantities of explosives,” according to the statement.

UNAMI said it mediated between Iraqi authorities and camp’s residents to persuade the residents to allow Iraqi ambulances to transport the bodies of the deceased to the morgue in Baquba. The Chief of Human Rights Office and other members of the delegation remained in Camp Ashraf for further monitoring, the Mission said.

“I call on the Iraqi Government to ensure that a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into this atrocious crime is conducted without delay and that the results of the investigation are made public,” urged Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Gyorgy Busztin, who led the visit. He was joined by UNAMI heads of the human rights and of medical sections.

Meanwhile, the United Nations human rights office today urged the Iraqi Government to ensure that medical assistance is urgently provided for the wounded. According to the UN Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMI), Iraqi authorities have confirmed that medical support is being delivered to the Camp.

Camp Ashraf is comprised of Iranian exiles, many of them members of a group known as the People’s Mojahedeen of Iran.

More than 3,000 residents have been relocated to a transit facility know as Camp Liberty while the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) carries out a process to determine their refugee status, and resettle them outside of the country, in line with an agreement signed in December 2011 between the UN and the Iraqi Government.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) also urged the Government to guarantee the protection of the residents who remain in Camp Ashraf as well as those who are currently in Camp Liberty.

“While we are still seeking details of what occurred, we also call upon the Iraqi government to quickly launch a full investigation to establish the facts and disclose the circumstances surrounding this attack,” OHCHR spokesperson Cecile Pouilly told journalists in Geneva.

In a statement from his spokesperson over the weekend, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack and extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

September 5, 2013 0 comment

Ban deplores attack on Iranian exile camp north of Baghdad

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned an attack on an Iranian exile camp near the Iraqi capital of Ban deplores attack on Iranian exile camp north of Baghdad Baghdad, and urged the Government to launch an investigation into what happened.

“The Secretary-General deplores the tragic events in Camp Ashraf today that have reportedly left 47 killed,” his spokesperson said in a statement. “He expresses his sorrow and extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.”

Iraqi authorities have confirmed that medical support is being delivered to the Camp, according to the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Camp Ashraf is comprised of Iranian exiles, many of them members of a group known as the People’s Mojahedeen of Iran.

This resettlement is a priority for UNAMI, in whose work Mr. Ban reiterated that he has “full support for and his absolute confidence”.

The UN mission said it intends to rapidly conduct it own assessment of the violence.

In today’s statement, Mr. Ban urged the Government to restore security in the Camp and stressed that it is its responsibility to “ensure the safety and security” of the residents.

He also called for the Government of Iraq to promptly investigate the incident and disclose the findings

September 5, 2013 0 comment

UN envoy welcomes relocation of Iranian exiles

The top United Nations official in Iraq today[22 June 2013 ] welcomed the relocation to Albania of 27 residents from an exile camp near western Baghdad.

UN envoy welcomes relocation of dozens of Iranian exiles to Albania

“A total of 71 men and women now have safely arrived in Albania and have benefited from the Government of Albania’s offer to accept 210 of the Camp’s residents,” said the UN Special Representative for the Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Martin Kobler.

Some 3,000 residents, most of them members of a group known as the People’s Mojahedeen of Iran, are temporarily housed in a transit facility called Camp Liberty – also know as Camp Hurriya – while the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) carries out a process to determine their refugee status.

Mr. Kobler said in addition to Albania, Germany has offered to relocate some 100 residents. The departure of the group from Iraq is in accordance with the memorandum of understanding of 25 December 2011, which foresees the relocation of the residents to third countries.

“I once again thank both countries’ governments for their generosity and call on other Member States to receive residents as well,” the UN envoy said.

The relocation comes just days after two people were reportedly killed and dozens injured in a mortar attack to the camp.

“Last week’s tragic events have once again shown how important it is to relocate the residents to third countries as quickly as possible,” Mr. Kobler noted.

The camp had previously been attacked in February while most of the residents were sleeping. The attack resulted in six deaths and various injuries.

June 25, 2013 0 comment

Camp Liberty

UN officials strongly condemn attack on camp liberty in Iraq

Two United Nations officials today strongly condemned an attack on Camp Liberty, an Iranian exile camp in Iraq, and called on the Government to assist and protect camp residents in need.
According to media reports two people were killed and dozens injured in a mortar attack to the camp, which is located near western Baghdad.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Martin Kobler and the country representative for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Claire Bourgeois, said they are “deeply concerned that today’s tragic violence has occurred despite their repeated requests to the Government of Iraq to provide Camp Liberty and its residents with protective measures, including T-Walls.”
More than 3,000 residents, most of them members of a group known as the People’s Mojahedeen of Iran, are temporarily housed in Camp Liberty – a transit facility also know as Camp Hurriya – while UNHCR carries out a process to determine their refugee status.
The camp had previously been attacked in February while most of the residents were sleeping. The attack resulted in six deaths and various injuries.
Camp residents were previously situated at Camp Ashraf in eastern Iraq, but were relocated last year, in line with an agreement signed in December 2011 between the UN and the Iraqi Government.
Mr. Kobler reminded the Government of its responsibility to guarantee the security and safety of Camp Liberty as well as Camp Ashraf’s residents, throughout the relocation process.
He also called on authorities to do everything possible to provide immediate assistance to the injured.
“Today’s second terror attack on camp Liberty is a reminder to third countries to come forward with serious offers to resettle Camp Liberty residents outside Iraq,” Mr. Kobler said. “Third countries must step forward and open their doors to relocation.”

June 17, 2013 0 comment

UN envoy welcomes relocation of first group of Iranian exiles to Albania

The top United Nations official in Iraq today[16 May 2013 ] called the relocation of 14 Iranians to Albania from an exile camp near Baghdad, an “encouraging first step.”

“The residents’ arrival in Albania late last night is an encouraging first step in the relocation of the group of 210 residents the Albanian government has agreed to receive,” said the UN Special Representative for the Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Martin Kobler.

More than 3,000 residents, most of them members of a group known as the People’s Mojahedeen of Iran, are temporarily housed in a transit facility called Camp Liberty – also know as Camp Hurriya – while the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) carries out a process to determine their refugee status.

Mr. Kobler said that the departure of the group from Iraq is in accordance with the memorandum of understanding of 25 December 2011, which foresees the relocation of the residents to third countries. “I thank the Government of Albania and encourage other Member States to come forward and to receive residents in their countries as well.”

Following the original offer by the Albania Government to assist in the resettlement, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he “unequivocally supports” Mr. Kobler’s efforts “to courageously and creatively, in exceptionally difficult circumstances, help resolve this situation.”

In addition, in his recent report about the situation in Iraq, Mr. Ban urged those who express support for the residents of Camp Hurriya and the remaining residents of another camp, New Iraq, to stop spreading insults and falsehoods about Mr. Kobler and instead help to promote a durable solution.

Following Albania’s announcement, the Government of Germany offered humanitarian admission for approximately 100 residents of the camp.

May 18, 2013 0 comment

UN welcomes Germany’s offer to resettle residents of Camp Hurriya

The top United Nations officials in Iraq today welcomed a generous offer by Germany of humanitarian admission for approximately 100 residents from Camp Hurriya, located near the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and UN welcomes Germany’s offer to resettle residents of Camp Hurriya urged the camp residents to cooperate with the UN for a speedy and safe resettlement.

“Germany’s offer follows a similar one by the Albanian government to relocate 210 residents in Albania, and I am very grateful to both countries for having offered durable solutions for the residents of Camp Hurriya,” said Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Martin Kobler.

Camp Hurriya serves as a transit facility for more than 3,000 exiles, most of them members of a group known as the People’s Mojahedeen of Iran, where a process to determine their refugee status is being carried out by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). With the latest offer, 10 per cent of the camp’s residents now have offers to relocate to third countries.

Mr. Kobler added that “this announcement also follows the Secretary-General’s repeated public and bilateral appeals to Member States to offer residents resettlement opportunities.”

In the same statement, UNHCR Representative in Iraq, Claire Bourgeois, encouraged other countries to follow Albania and Germany’s lead, “This generous offer by Germany is a demonstration of international solidarity and burden-sharing for a vulnerable population.”

Last month, following the offer by Albania Government, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he “unequivocally supports” Mr. Kobler’s efforts “to courageously and creatively, in exceptionally difficult circumstances, help resolve this situation.”

Also today, Mr. Kobler expressed his deep concern that Iraq continues to implement the death penalty. The most recent execution of 21 prisoners took place on 16 April, according to UNAMI.

“I regret that repeated calls of the United Nations to suspend the implementation of death sentences were not heard,” Mr. Kobler said.

“I urge once again the Iraqi government to immediately suspend all pending death sentences and to apply without delay the moratorium on the death penalty, in conformity with General Assembly Resolutions 62/149 (2007), 63/168 (2009), 65/205 (2010) and 67/176 (2012),” he added.

Meanwhile, final preparations are underway in parts of Iraq for the 20 April Governorate Council Elections.

Mr. Kobler today urged eligible Iraqis to actively participate for the success of the poll, “I am calling on all women and men to cast their ballots for a better future for them and their children.”

“My appeal goes particularly to the young Iraqis, because you are the future of this country,” he added.

Stressing that it is the duty of all political leaders to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process, Mr. Kobler underlined that “consolidation of democracy will depend on the willingness of Iraq’s political leaders to collectively ensure a transparent and peaceful election, free of intimidation or political interference”.

“Of equal importance is my appeal to the Iraqi security forces to remain on heightened alert and to enable voters to reach polling centres and cast their vote in a safe environment, without fear of violence,” he concluded.

At least 15.5 million Iraqis are eligible to vote in upcoming polls, according to official estimates, where more than 8,000 candidates are reportedly vying for 378 seats.

April 20, 2013 0 comment

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