Families of the MEK hostages denied of their rights

Mujahedin Khalq Organization members' families

Families lobby for PMOI visitation rights

Iranian families called on U.S. officials in Baghdad to broker visitation rights to Iranian dissidents encamped in their Diyala province enclave.

Members of the dissident People’s Mujahedin of Iran are lodged in their Camp Ashraf enclave in Diyala province.
Iranian families called on U.S. officials in Baghdad to broker visitation rights to Iranian dissidents encamped in their Diyala province enclave.
The PMOI opposes the clerical regime in Iran. Washington lists the group as a terrorist organization for its violent methods of opposition, though the group surrendered its weapons in 2003.

Iranian family members of Camp Ashraf residents called on U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill to award them the same rights that U.S. family members have with American hikers detained in Iran since July.

Family members of the hikers are expected Wednesday in Tehran.

The PMOI family members say their relatives are held captive in Camp Ashraf, adding if Washington can broker an agreement with Iran, similar arrangements are possible with the PMOI.

"If America can negotiate this with Iran, we certainly expect that you can negotiate with this small terrorist group so that its members can meet freely with their families," the families said.

The PMOI is included in the Iranian opposition movement the National Council of Resistance to Iran, a French-based group that considers itself the Iranian Parliament in exile. It denies the cult and terrorist categorization, claiming its policy is based on peaceful dissent.

May 20, 2010 0 comments

Mujahedin Khalq Organization members' families

Families of MEK Victims Want Same Visiting Rights as U.S. Detainee Families

Families of MEK Victims in Camp Ashraf, Iraq Want Same Visiting Rights as U.S. Detainee Families in Iran

A group of Iranian families today asked the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Christopher Hill, for his help in negotiating with the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organisation (aka Rajavi cult, MEK, MKO, PMOI, NCRI) to give visiting rights to the detainees in Camp Ashraf in Diyala province.
Families of MEK Victims in Camp Ashraf, Iraq Want Same Visiting Rights as U.S. Detainee Families in Iran
The parents of captives in Camp Ashraf were responding to news that the mothers of three young Americans detained in Iran, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, are on their way to visit their children in prison there.

They said, "We are so happy for these families that negotiations with Iran have resulted in allowing these visits on compassionate grounds. Everyone in the world knows the strength of the bond between parent and child. We hope they will achieve their wishes in Iran."

For nearly four months the families have been encamped outside the camp which houses members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq terrorist cult. The cult leaders refuse to allow ordinary members to have any contact with the outside world and will not negotiate with external bodies. Some members have been trapped inside the camp for over twenty years.

Although the Government of Iraq is responsible for the camp, officials say their hands are tied because the MEK have powerful backers in Washington, even though it is on the U.S.’s own terrorism list. The families told Mr. Hill, "We witnessed ourselves that American soldiers intervened on behalf of the MEK leaders when Iraqi soldiers tried to help us get inside the camp."

Urging Mr. Hill to intervene on their behalf with the leaders of the MEK the families said, "Your government successfully arranged for the mothers of U.S. detainees in Iran to visit their children on compassionate grounds… But, if America can negotiate this with Iran, we certainly expect that you can negotiate with this small terrorist group so that its members can meet freely with their families."

* * *
Open Letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Mr Christopher R. Hill
Dear Ambassador,

We are Iranian families who have travelled to Iraq to find relatives enslaved by the Mojahedin-e Khalq organisation (aka Rajavi cult, MEK, MKO, PMOI, NCRI) in Camp Ashraf. We families have been encamped outside the gates of Camp Ashraf for nearly four months now, and still not been helped enough to meet with our relatives.

We now have news that the mothers of three young Americans, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, detained in Iran are flying over there to visit them in prison.
We are so happy for these families that negotiations with Iran have resulted in allowing these visits on compassionate grounds. Everyone in the world knows the strength of the bond between parent and child. We hope they will achieve their wishes in Iran. We share the same anguish as these three mothers, with the difference that our children have been held captive in Camp Ashraf for over twenty years, not by the Iraqi government but by the very leaders of the group they are with. And conditions inside Camp Ashraf are worse than any prison; our children are not allowed to telephone or even to write to their families, they have been enslaved.

Up until 2003 we could not approach the camp where our children live because the Mojahedin-e Khalq were armed. We became hopeful when U.S. Forces disarmed the group and rounded them up into one place. At last there was hope of visiting. But the U.S. Army failed to get the group to surrender, even though it is on the U.S.’s own terrorism list as well as being a foreign terrorist group in Iraq. Even when we travelled to Iraq to find our children, the U.S. Army did not help us. Those few members who were lucky enough to meet their families always had MKO minders with them to prevent them from escaping.

When the Government of Iraq took control of the camp in January 2009 we again had hope that we could visit our children. But the MEK leaders refuse to cooperate and have not only kept the gate locked but threatened us with violence if we don’t leave. Now the Iraqi government is doing what it can to help us, but for almost four months we are still stuck at the entrance gate without news.

Over these four months we have talked to everyone we can; UNAMI, the Red Cross, human rights groups, Diyala tribal leaders, Iraqi and foreign press, Iraqi government officials and the military personnel responsible for the camp. In private we have been told over and over again that the Iraqi government cannot do more to help us because the Mojahedin-e Khalq has powerful backing in America (where it is on the U.S. terrorism list). We witnessed ourselves that American soldiers intervened on behalf of the MEK leaders when Iraqi soldiers tried to help us get inside the camp.

Now we are finally convinced that no one but America has control over this group – and even then we see that the tail is wagging the dog.

Your government successfully arranged for the mothers of U.S. detainees in Iran to visit their children on compassionate grounds and we wish them every joy that such a meeting must bring. But, if America can negotiate this with Iran, we certainly expect that you can negotiate with this small terrorist group so that its members can meet freely with their families.
We ask you as a matter of urgency, as Ambassador of the USA to Iraq, to use the considerable influence that you have to force the Mojahedin-e Khalq in Camp Ashraf to allow, on compassionate grounds, for our children to meet freely with us

The families of MEK members in Camp Ashraf, Iraq

May 19, 2010 0 comments

MEK Camp Ashraf

No one is to open the gates of Ashraf from the within

Since the gathering of the families of MKO victims and captives before Camp Ashraf, Mojahedin media as well as advocates have staged a new round of propagation and have repeatedly asked the mass media and reporters from all over the world to cover Camp Ashraf news for the world to be informed of what is happening therein. But is it really sincere in what is advertising? A review of BBC’s report in 26 April, basically in Persian, discredits all claims made by the organization as well as the truth of the statements made by the family of MKO members made in their nearly three months of gathering before the camp to let the world hear their cries of protest against the most blatant form of the modern slavery and to see and release their children and beloved ones from the clutches of the terrorist organization.

BBC report starts with a sight of a big lock on the gate of Ashraf and the starting point of the text is “No one is to open the doors; all cries are uttered in vain”. Then the father of an Ashraf resident tells the reporter “It is for 22 years that I’ve received no letter of my son”. Some MKO members managing to escape from Ashraf are quoted as saying “Mojahedin high rankings prevent members to leave camp by means of intimidation, threat, and coercive measures”. And BBC reporter expounds on the reaction of Ashraf officials, stating: The gates of the camp are closed on the reporters too and despite we have called Mojahedin authorities inside camp many times, there is no answer to our questions. Finally, BBC refers to the main challenge of Ashraf victims and its solution: ‘The US recognizes Mojahedin as a terrorist organization yet it has some advocators among American and European politicians and lawmakers who defend the survival of camp Ashraf in Iraq. Now the basic question is how long the few advocates of Mojahedin are to victimize thousands of innocents and their families for their own interests? There are some points to be mentioned on the BBC report.

The report approved the fact that despite the dissemination of Mojahedin and inviting mass media to camp Ashraf, the organization has so far refrained to welcome the reporters’ presence and answering their questions. Instead, it refers to the gathering before the camp as a propaganda show staged by the Iranian regime and calling people and reporters Intelligence Ministry agents swarming at the front gate of Ashraf by the collaboration of the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office. The report has some shocking scenes illustrating the oppression and injustice of Ashraf high rankings imposed on MKO victims, their families and children and focuses on the gap separating Ashraf from the family of its residents as well as the baseless claims of Rajavi on the point that Ashraf residents have remained there at will and its doors are open for those willing to leave and other lies fabricated by him for killing time and victimizing more members. There is no need to interpret the tearful eyes of an eight-year-old girl who has never seen his father since she was born. The BBC report contains justifiable and significant points to convince the global community, international humanitarian institutions and mass media to be concerned about the blatant violations of human rights and international rules by the leaders of a blacklisted terrorist cult that respects no convention, law and domestic legislation. Here are some suggestions that may well help avert further violations of human rights by the organization and possible release of the enslaved members.

1. The international organizations are supposed to send their independent delegates to Iraq to be informed of the events inside and outside Camp Ashraf directly if they ever care for human rights and justice. It may prevent victimization of more MKO members used as human shields in Ashraf. Mojahedin advocates can make a descent visit of camp in order to get at the truth.

2. The Iraqi Government has done its best in order to prohibit any human disaster inside Ashraf. It is the best position taking on the part of the government after the bloody conflicts of June 2009 in proving its goodwill toward Ashraf residents. According to BBC report, the Iraqi police are just trying to preserve order in the region maintaining neutrality, yet Mojahedin leaders insist on developing a violent atmosphere by means of assaulting and battering the family of Ashraf residents located beside camp. The best solution at the time being seems to be the direct interference of international organs and bodies; otherwise, any negligence in this regard may result in negative consequences that in no way vindicate any concerned organization and body.

3. BBC report reveals that Mojahedin cannot bear the presence of mass media in the region in contrast to their claims. They are well aware that the disclosure of the truth may be a barrier in the way of their propaganda blitz and psychological warfare. Therefore, the continuous presence of the media in the region may foil Mojahedin’s plans.

4. The fact that a number of Ashraf residents escaped from the camp to join their family may reveal that the organization has kept MKO members inside camp by force. The presence of the concerned international institutions may facilitate the free exodus of the captives. Any delay in this regard may impose irreparable costs on the voluntary split of members and encouraging the leaders to continue with the human tragedy ultimatums.

5. The presence of a number of families before Camp Ashraf, that has emboldened some insiders to the escape and also disclose the true notorious nature of Mojahedin, may emphasize the necessity of the presence of other families to save their children. Undoubtedly, Ashraf officials cannot bear the existing conditions forever. As mentioned before, the first step for the dissolution of Camp Ashraf is by rendering the organization helpless through a striking split therein and this is the best time for breaking cultic relations of MKO to set the members free. The supports of the families may pave he way for releasing their children from the firm clutch of Rajavi.

6. The interaction of the families with the media is of a high significance. It may deprive Rajavi of his lever of fabrication and distortion of the truth as well as trying to win the sympathy of the world by putting the bargaining chip in the hands of the families as it was revealed in the blind and hysteric backlashes of Mojahedin against BBC report. In a nutshell, Rajavi and Ashraf high rankings have reached a stalemate and the persistence of the present conditions may lead to their full destruction in the near future.

May 18, 2010 0 comments

Mujahedin Khalq Organization

Families’ demands force Rajavi’s back against the wall

The repeated demand of Iranian families to meet with their relatives who are held captive inside Camp Ashraf by the leaders of the Mojahedein-e Khalq cult has had devastating effects on the group. Unable to answer the families and unable to get support in the international community, the MKO leaders have resorted to their normal pattern of reaction to external problems – bloodshed; threatened and actual.

The group has no future in Iraq and is trying to turn a humanitarian issue – family meetings – into a security issue by invoking the bogeyman of Iran’s Intelligence services (forgetting, of course, that cult phobias only work on cult members). This will be the excuse to order MKO members to start shedding blood – whether their own or that of others. And, if they cannot do this in Iraq (which they cannot because the Iraqi government is fully in control of the situation), then they will do it in Europe – as they did in 2003.

Unfortunately, Western governments, because of their reluctance to take any action to curtail the activities of this terrorist cult in their own countries, are placing their citizens’ lives and their own reputations under threat.

The following statement issued by the MKO (aka NCRI) is indicative of this diversion from the real issue of having family members sitting outside the camp gates for over 100 days asking to meet with their children.

Iranian regime and Iraqi PM?s committee force defectors from Ashraf to return to Iran
Saturday, 15 May 2010
http://ncr-iran.org/content/view/8153/1/
"Iranian regime intelligence agents and Iraqi PM’s committee of suppression of Ashraf force defectors from Ashraf to return to Iran despite earlier promises of sending them to Europe
NCRI – According to credible reports obtained from inside the Iranian regime, after the 2008 closure of the Temporary International Presence Facility (TIPF), which was controlled by the American forces, and following the transfer of Camp Ashraf’s protection to the Iraqi forces in early 2009, the Iranian regime’s Intelligence Ministry is seriously pressuring those who defected from Ashraf with earlier promises of traveling to Europe to return to Iran instead.
….."

May 16, 2010 0 comments

Mujahedin Khalq Organization members' families

Ancient Iran Association Letter to Human Rights Watch

Honorable and Distinguished Director of Human Rights Watch

With our best regards to Human Rights Watch organization for their constant and steady endeavors toward human rights throughout the world,
We, the former members of MKO Cult urge you to intervene and help those elderly parents to see their loved ones
As you are well informed that a number of elderly fathers and mothers of the cult’s captives who traveled to Iraq ,hoping to see their loved ones after many years of imposed and compelled distance in New Iraq Garrison(Former Ashraf) ,got astounded and shocked because the operatives and official of the cult do not allow them to meet their loved ones. They have waited since 3 months ago to see their relatives in that garrison , but instead of meeting their loved ones , they have been insulted and slandered by the cult’s operatives since their arrival .These families despite of bad weather and the lack of accommodation , are persisting to see their relatives . Despite of their age and bad weather , they are very determined to find a solution to see their loved ones.

We , the former members of PMOI who had been captives in this cult and its ideology for many years and we had experienced the cultic regulations and rules of law in this organization for decades urge you to intervene and help those elderly parents to see their loved ones, our request is as follows:

1.You should intervene and convince or force PMOI to accept the meeting of the families with their relatives. Meeting is the right of any human being .

2. The meeting should occur in a place without the presence of representatives and commanders of the cult, so the family can have a peaceful and convenient meeting with their loved ones.

It is good to know that all those captives in that cult have been under severe and harsh psychological tortures for many years and constantly they have been under brain washing methods and cultic- religious indoctrinations , so the meeting should occur without the presence of the cult’s operatives.

Hoping with your direct intervention those families meet their loved ones at last .

Respectfully
Ancient Iran, Glorious future

CC:
Honorable Iraq Prime minister’s office
Amnesty International
UNHCR office in Iraq

May 16, 2010 0 comments

Massoud Rajavi

Family; the spell of Rajavis’ cult amputation

Mujahedin Khalq Organization was founded in 1960’s, to overthrow the US-backed regime of the Shah of Iran but it took it 45 years to turn in to a religious cult of personality.
Why is Rajavi so terrified of families visiting with their children?
Once mujahedin chanted the slogans for "Liberation of Iranian Heroic People", and viewed people as their main resource, its leaders, on top position Massoud Rajavi deviated in order to stand against those very people including families of Ashraf residents.

Why is Rajavi so terrified of families visiting with their children? Why does he enter the course personally to insult the families as "regime’s chained dogs"?

If MKO’s members, according to Rajavi, chose the struggle willingly, why would he fear visiting their parents?

The true fact that Rajavi tries to deny is that the motivations on which MKO war based in 1965s, are no more existing.

In his message of April 29th, Rajavi speaks of the so-called heroic people and the ransom they should dedicate:"How simply we can speak of paying for freedom of people and country but it is too hard to act".

Indeed, the treasons the Rajavis committed against their compatriots have left nothing for MKO. Once they chanted the motto "Without Iran, I don’t want life, today they hang the slogan "Without Ashraf, I don’t want life" on Camp Ashraf gates! Today MKO leaders are resisting against Iranian people.

Massoud Rajavi points the flesh of his attacks on families, why? The answer is laid in MKO’s cult like practices. Maryam and Massoud Rajavi have turned the members into robots who have no free will and no individuality.

Some time ago their love to country meant taking weapons and chanting slogans, according to them but today their love is limited to the piece of land denoted to them by Saddam Hussein. Their love to parents and family have replaced by love to Massoud and Maryam Rajavi. All this defines a "cult of personality".

MKO members have been living in a bubble called Camp Ashraf. They have been manipulated and deprived from emotions and affections for more than two decades.

Massoud Rajavi knows that the spell of his cult’s amputation is family and normal social relationship. Once a member is among his family, far from the cult’s propaganda, the bubble is ruined and the member’s eyes will open to a new world full of love and affections.

Ali Reza Mir Asgari

May 15, 2010 0 comments

Mujahedin Khalq Organization members' families

Support for parents who have not seen their children for long

Please give your support
Support for parents who have not seen their children for more than twenty years

Three months now parents are waiting before the closed gates of camp Ahsraf of the Mujahedin sect in Irak, still it’s not possible to see their children. Most of the parents are old people now, they’re crying and shouting the names of their children, whom they didn’t see for over more than twenty years. Their children were recruited by the Mujahedin when they were young and were isolated in camp Ahsraf. Now they’re middle-aged and senior-aged men and women.

The leaders of the Mujahedin-sect have always forbidden every form of contact between members and family. Their members are kept in total isolation and it’s not allowed to have any contact outside the camp. Members who want to leave this sect are withhold by the leaders.

Up to now it has never been possible for their families to come near the camp of the armed Mujahedin. But after the fall of Saddam Hoessein the situation of Ahsraf changed. The camp came under the supervision of soldiers of the new government of Iraq. After more than twenty years the parents get new hope to see their children.

They travelled to the camp and lined up in front of the gates, where they are waiting for three months now, without any result. Although the Iraqian soldiers supervise the camp, they are afraid to let the parents enter the sect, because they cannot guarantee their safety. Inside the camp are over 3000 sect-members and even after the fall of Saddam Hoessein the Mujahedin-leaders want to keep their members in the same situation and forbid family-contact. They deceive their brainwashed members and scare them by telling them that the people at the gates are supporters of the Iranian Governement, a government that tortures and executes opponents. Some fanatic members started attacking the parents.

But these parents have nothing to do with the regime of Iran, which is rejected by everyone who respects the human rights. They just want to see their children, who they had to miss for so many years.

Every parent has the right to see his/her children and every child has the right to see his parents, no matter what kind of religion or vision they have. If this is withhold, it’s important that organisations can help to accomplish the contact. The words of Saadi, a Persian poet, should be in our minds:

“If one limb of the body suffers
All the others too will feel the pain…”

All human beings are connected with each other, like the organs in a body. We are responsible for those ones who cannot help themselves. That is why we ask you to sign this paper, so that we are able to bring these parents, under the protections of the Red Cross and Amnesty International, and in the presence of independent media, in contact with their children

More information you will find at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J96_IeD2bt0
On behalf of the parents: thank you very much

Names:
1- mohammad hossein sobhani
2- soheila behboudi
3-nasrin behboudi
4-kazem hoseini
5-batoul soltani
6- ali jahani
7- Batoul maleki
8- Mehrdad sagharchi
9- Mehdi sojoodi
10- Mehdi khoshal
11- Hadi shamshaeri
12-Farideh barati
13-Mahboube Brati
14-Zhra Mohammadi
15-Milaad Aryai
16-Aliakbar Rastgou
17- Masoud Djabani
18- Osmaan.Aboesaad
19-Javad Firozmand
20- gholaml Shirali
21- Behzad Alishahi
22- Hbib Khorami
23- Robabeh Shahrokhi
24- Batoul Ahmadi
25- Masoud Khodabandeh
26-n.Amiri
27- Mowasaghi amir
28- Ghashghavi ali
29- Termado dward
30- Charlangi jamshid
31- Marzeeh gonjeshki
32- Dijabani.Saeedeh
33- konaar Jasem Ali
34-Narmin Jasem Ali
35-hamid tavana
36-Ali shabani
37-mohammade Harati
38-bahmane Parsa
39-Tol mollavie
40-Jaan Benek
41-H.krigoriyaan
42-maals Tapel
43-Abdalghadir.Ghader
44- mohammad.Allami
45-khaled.zahra
46-Asma . zahra
47-mohammad. zahra
48-Emaad. zahra
49-Yeganeh.Barati
50-hsan Barati
51-Aazam Mohammadi
52-Akram mohammadi
53-Hamid.Balfal
54-Maryam.jahanfrd
55,Vartaan.Babakhani
56-zaghik.babakhani
57-Aroutin.Babakhani

To add you name, please contact
payamerahai@gmail.com

Payame Rahai, Netherlands, May 14, 2010

May 15, 2010 0 comments

Human Rights Abuse in the MEK

Letter to the Honorable Director of the ICRC

Honorable Director of The International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) based in Iraq

Ancient Iran , Glorious Future consists of former members and political critics who had been captivated for many years by the cultic thoughts and ideology existing in this organization (PMOI).Finally, we could retrieve our freedom after the downfall of Saddam Hussein , Dictator of Iraq, and enjoy living free. Ancient Iran , Glorious Future consists of former members and political critics who had been captivated for many years by the cultic thoughts

As you are well informed , it is almost three months that some of the victim’s families have gathered behind the closed gates of new Iraq garrison(former Ashraf), despite of Iraq bad weather and the lack of accommodation and facilities , requesting to meet their loved ones who have been in cult’s captivity for many years , the cult’s operatives and officials have rejected their request and instead they have slandered and accused those elderly families of being Iranian intelligence service agents !!!! Meeting loved ones and relatives is a` common and routine right in every prison throughout the world , but in this prison is totally forbidden and even is counted as a deadly sin.

As we mentioned above , we had been captivated in this cult for many years and it is very understandable and tangible for each one of us the way this cult behaves specially vis a vis victims’ families . We are not strangers because we separated from Rajavi’s cult so we are completely aware and familiar with their cultic rules and behaviors, and we know why they do not want their victims to meet their families.

We are talking about a cult which any correspondence ,letters ,exchanging photo ,phone calls ,meeting loved ones,……………. And etc had been forbidden and even they were counted as deadly sin inside their cultic relations .Thinking about life , love, wife , kids and,….. etc have been forbidden in this cult and the person who entered to these subjects was utterly suppressed in collective gatherings and meetings.

We are talking about a cult which watching television and listening to the radio and having access to internet or satellite and even having a simple cell phone has been completely forbidden, for that reason those stranded and stuck victims are forcibly kept separated from the free world and instead they are continually under heavy cultic indoctrination and brain washing methods by the cultic thoughts and ideology , and they are asked to worship the cult’s leaders in stead of having any sentiment , love, towards their family and even their own private life.

Honorable officials of ICRC , we are urging and entreating you to step forward and intervene to help those families to find a way to meet their loved ones. Meeting loved ones in any prison throughout the world is considered as a right. We believe the cult’s leaders and operatives will retreat because of intervention of ICRC and all humanitarian organizations and the families will be united with their loved ones at last despite of the cultic rules.

All The Best
Ancient Iran, Glorious Future

CC:
Human Rights Watch
Amnesty International
American Embassy In Iraq
UNHCR branch in Iraq
Ancient Iran Association, Paris

May 12, 2010 0 comments

MEK Camp Ashraf

The crisis of Camp Ashraf

The crisis of Camp Ashraf: Mujahedin Khalq want to stay in Iraq and defectors want amnesty letters.

There are a number of Iranian dissidents in Camp Ashraf. The number mounts to 3000 people of whom 70 percent are in their fifties. Lately the Iraqi government has changed the name of the camp to Camp of New Iraq.

Following their clashes with intelligence, political forces, these dissidents have entered a phase allegedly called”Organizational Stability”. Do they still want to continue their presence in the Camp; although most of Iraqi authorities oppose their presence in Iraqi territory? Is there any Arabic country willing to accept them? Such as Egypt which has cut the ties with Iran for thirty years now. Will Iranian authorities forgive them or grant them amnesty if they return to Iran? Will American forces accept to support the group as a pressure lever against Iran in their debate on Iran’s nuclear activities?

The only achievement the group gained in the last twenty years was its removal from EU’s terrorist list which caused Iranian’s anger.

An Iranian official in an interview with Asahrq Alawsat ,said:”Mujahedin Khalq is no more a danger for Iran and a threat to Islamic Revolution since they are besieged and have no hope for their future.”

For the time being, MEK claim that they are under the pressure by Iranian Intelligence Ministry and Iranian intelligence agents have come to Camp under the cover of the families of Ashraf residents! MEK sends letters to international human rights bodies. On the other hand, the men, women and youth waiting at Ashraf gates for several weeks, say: We are here only to visit our children .we don’t want to make them return, they are free to choose their fate but we want to know about their health, to know whether they are living or dead!

Some of these women come to Camp Ashraf from different Iranian cities and no one responds them about the fate of their husbands, fathers, sons or daughters.

Mr. Mohammd Bagher Momen Zade, former member of MEK told our reporter in Shiraz (a city in 1000 Km south of Tehran):”the families want to get some news about their children or relatives whom they have not seen for thirty years.”Some of those who came to Iraq”have been helped by a branch of Nejat Society“he added.

The daughter of one of Ashraf residents’ states:”the trip to Ashraf was so stressful and worrying. Every night I see my father in my dream, he seems to call for me. I have no idea if he is still alive or he is dead.”A woman is with her, she carries a photo of his son,”Hussein”. A man called Yousefi also has the photo of his two sons Ali and Barat, but they all look disappointed and depressed behind Ashraf gates.

They shout”Allah U Akbar”[God is the greatest]; Ya Hussein”[Hussein is the third Shiites’ leader] some of the elderly fall down due to extreme tiredness. The girl is making another effort to open the gates and reach her father.”If they open the gates and we enter, we don’t know where to go. Iraqi soldiers accompany us, showing us the buildings but no Iranian is seen in the camp”she says.

Mohammd Bagher Momen Zadeh, lived in Ashraf for a lot of years. He attended some terrorist operations. He worked as a reporter between leaders and members. When he disobeyed the orders, he was sent in to prison and Iraqi judiciary sentenced him to six years of imprisonment because of his illegal arrival to Iraq. And then the Iranian authorities condemned him to ten years of imprisonment in Evin Prison under the charge of commitment of terrorist operation in Tehran and Shiraz…

“I was thirteen when I joined MEK. I attended two terrorist operations so I was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment in Evin. When I got back to Camp Ashraf I saw a lot of big changes in the organization. After a year I told them that I was not able to continue and I wanted to leave Iraq and that was why I got into trouble. I was in solidarity confinement for seven months. Together with me, about eighty other members protested against their stay in the Camp,”he says. Momen zade recalls his days in Ashraf:”Camp Ashraf had tuned into a horrifying castle where marriage was forbidden. there were weekly brainwashing sessions in which we had to confess everything that our minds were busy about. For example a comrade would come and confess that he was thinking about his family his mother or sister …, I think it was a new Islam. A lot of changes had occurred in the organization.”

Momen Zadeh describes that he is a graduated of Electronic University and now he is a cameraman who films wedding parties in Shiraz.”MKO delivered me and eighty other members to Iraqi Intelligence Ministry where I was under torture, beating and investigation for six months.

“The Iraqi court accused me of aggression upon Iraq borders and then I was sentenced to six years of imprisonment in Abu Qoraib, 24 hours before American invasion to Iraq, Iraqi and Iranian governments exchanged a number of their war prisoners including some of MKO members and me.

“My return to Iran and my freedom took me only one week. The Iranian authorities defined some conditions for me such as not opposing the Islamic Republic, not committing terror operations and not joining MKO anymore.”

A former high ranking member of MKO told Ashraq Alawsat in Tehran:”they do not have arms. They are only trying to maintain their organization and its doctrine and obedience to its orders which is the most important to them. They think if Camp Ashraf is closed MKO will collapse.”

Momen zadeh believes that the future of Camp Ashraf directly depends on the region’s situation and the relations between Iran and Iraq and the interests of Iraqi government and also the negotiations on Iranian nuclear activities (…)
Today, Momen Zadeh lives with his memoirs of the terrorist operations he committed :”I exploded a car in Shiraz and I thought that I would be sentenced to death but at the time I was only thirteen. I had carried out my seniors’ order.”(…)

Momen Zadeh sees himself an independent individual now. Asharq Alawsat asked him:”Are you still opponent to Islamic Republic? Or do you agree with them?”
“I am a member of Nejat Society right now.”He answered”this society is an NGO, it is neither a governmental organization, nor opposing the regime.
“I live in Iran as a normal citizen. I have an Iranian passport and I am able to travel to any country I want. I am a victim of terrorism. My job at Nejat Society is the arrangement of visits between families and their children in Camp Ashraf. They just want to get to know about their children to know whether they are living or dead.”

“There are eighty families in Shiraz and all around Iran there are 3000 families whose children are still in Camp Ashraf.”Momen Zadeh explained,”Since 2003, about one thousand members have left Camp Ashraf.”

Some of Iranian independent experts who are opponents to Islamic Republic believe that Tehran authorities are behind most of those kinds of societies of which their objective is to impress Ashraf residents psychologically.

An Iranian journalist says:”I think that it is at Iran’s interest that MKO maintains near Iranian borders since Iranian Intelligence is simply able to reach them and it is also for American benefit to protect Camp Ashraf in order to have an arm to threaten Iran and on the other hand it is beneficial for Iraqi political rivals to enjoy Camp Ashraf which is a part of negotiations in Iran- Iraq relations.”

Most of Ashraf residents are living in poor condition. I think you cannot find a similar fate to that of MKO in the whole history. They have no certain future. A dissident, who participated in anti- election demonstrations, says:”those who return to Iran have to sign letters of amnesty and obey IRI’s constitution. Some of the returnees are also supported by Iranian authorities and are used for efforts to persuade other members to return. They have granted amnesty to those MEK members who haven’t committed assassinations.”

Despite the old animosity between MEK and Western states that consider it a leftist organization and label it as a terrorist organization, American forces have treated Ashraf residents as refugees since 2004 until last year when the control of Ashraf was handed over to Iraqi government. After some time they were removed from EU’s terrorist list and were considered as an opposition force against Iran. Mujahedin Khalq Organization accuses Iranian regime of sending its elements, under the cover of families, to Camp Ashraf and using them as a lever for psychological pressure on Ashraf residents. The psychological warfare is carried out by calling residents’ names through loud speakers, knocking at gates and chanting slogans including”Dawn with MEK”.

Mujahedin also accuse some Iraqi parties of facilitating the work for Iranian Intelligence agents! They claim that Iraqi Police puts pressure on Ashraf residents. Mujahedin view themselves as”Iranian refugees”that no one is allowed to submit them to Iranian regime.

MKO leaders are trying to mobilize public opinion in Europe and America in order to achieve their ideals. They asked the UN to support Ashraf residents immediately.

By Asharq Alawsat – Translated by Nejat Society

May 4, 2010 0 comments

The Iranian Pen Club letter to UNAMI

Dear Mr. Madhu Acharya

Respectfully, we would like to acknowledge that the Iranian Pen Club is consisted of those ex-members of the MKO who managed to free themselves from the mental and even physical The Iranian Pen Club letter to United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq barriers of the Organisation. The main object of the Association is of course to try to help the previous comrades in such way that they be able to free themselves too and start a decent normal life again along with their families and beloved ones.

Fortunately , after the downfall of Saddam Hussein’s reign , The Former Dictator of Iraq, and relative political stability in this country , there has been begotten a new atmosphere of freedom, and respect to human rights in various grounds in Iraq, particularly for detainees and prisoners. There are field visits by civic and human rights organizations as well as international and local advocates of those in prisons and detention centers across Iraq. But why this issue and human rights violations in the castle headquarters of the People’s Mojahedin in Ashraf?

It has been nearly three months that elderly parents with broken hearts and tearful eyes are looking forward to meet with their children in front of Camp Ashraf have been on sitting so the MKO leaders allow them access to their children inside the camp. But the refusal of the MKO to allow family interviews between those who came from Iran to Iraq to meet with their children is a violation of divine laws and international laws recognized all over the world.

According to all international laws and norms it is acceptable for immediate families to visit their loved ones in any circumstances. But as you know, The Mojahedin Khalq do obey only their own internal laws, which are different from the rest of the world.

Leaders of MKO said in their announcement that UNAMI is inside Camp Ashraf. If so, why UNAMI has not come to the gate of Camp Ashraf to see these families who are waiting to meet with their children, what is going?

While we support the families in front of the gates of camp Ashraf and the efforts of your Excellency, demand a stronger involvement of UNAMI in the human rights violations inside Camp Ashraf and more cooperation from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees And the Iraqi government for the families and parents to meet with their children who are prisoners in Camp Ashraf.

With many thanks and regards

The Iranian Pen Club
30.04.2010
Postfach 90 06 63
51116 Köln
Germany
00491756391365
info@iran-ghalam.de
iran-ghalam@hotmail.com

Cc:
– Embassies of Iraq in Germany , France and Swiss
– Relevant MEPs
– Office of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki
– US State Department

May 2, 2010 0 comments

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