NEWS IN BRIEF
An Iranian website reported on Sunday that a team of terrorists affiliated to Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) attempted to assassinate an Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran on May 2. Six terrorists who were riding motorcycles opened fire on the scientist, but his bodyguards managed to save him from the attack.
In this statement we read: first May is called the Laborers’ day in Iran. Laborers are considered as one of the studious work forces of the society. The great majority of laborers’ population and their demands have incited terrorists for conducting attacks against them frequently. In this 
regard the terrorist cult of Rajavi has caused too much loss on this class of society. The great majority of victims of MKO terrorist attacks are laborers.
Based on this statement it has been asserted that the issue of laborers and the importance of supporting their rights have been mentioned in various international documents like the International Labor Organization Protocol, Articles 6,7 and 8 of the UN Cultural, Economic and Social Convention and the Articles 23 and 24 of the Universal Human Rights Declaration. However, in the list of the Mojahedin-e Khalq organization, there are the names of more than 4000 laborers, most of whom had not even heard the name of this organization. According to the claim of the organization leaders, these laborers deserved death just for supporting the regime. Based on the domestic and international laws of most of the countries, no one should be reprimanded for having a special approach or viewpoint. Far beyond reprimanding, MKO assassinates these people. The MKO leaders turn laborers into a political plaything for their own ends without considering their human dignity; in the case of any opposition, the laborers would be murdered. The reason behind the assassination of most of the laborers was that their work was leading to economic growth and consequently the increase of public trust in government.
The violation of the human rights of the laborers is not limited to the assassinations; The MKO illegally transfers many workers who are seeking for a job in foreign countries, to Iraq and MKO’s military base there. After confiscating their identity documents, these laborers receive compulsory military and terrorist trainings and also are exposed to forced labor. On one hand, based on the ‘freedom of the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work’, mentioned in Article 23 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights this issue is the violation of human rights. On the other hand, it is quit contrary to the laws related to the way of treating laborers.
Mojahedin-e Khalq organization which speaks out the rights of laborers, considers long working hours and lack of sleeping, as a way for making the members exhausted and preventing them from thinking. This is another evidence of the violation of primary rights of human beings. This issue has been completely explained in the Human Rights Watch report of May 2005 and American RAND Corporation report of August 2009. Studying these impartial reports can give a better understanding of these stone-age criminals of the third millennium.
With these descriptions about the approach of the Rajavi cult leaders and the inhuman situation governing the Ashraf Camp and the way they treat their members (like some slaves), we have to talk about the two types of the laborer victims of this terrorist cult; the first category is composed of the laborers who have been directly targeted by the MKO and the second one are the workers who have been deceived by MKO. The members of the second category seek for their rights although they can find nothing but the violation of their basic rights in these terrorist groups.
ADVT also announces that instrumental application of these laborers just like the other professions of the society including students, teachers, and sellers are common in this terrorist group.
This year, MKO arranged various propaganda plays in order to distract the society and create an atmosphere of opposition and objection among the laborer class of the society. However, all of these futile efforts foiled and no one paid any attention to such claims. Therefore, Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism condemning the assassination of laborers calls on international organizations to make their best efforts for the trial of Rajavi leaders who keep the MKO members as captives and abuses the laborers.
Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism, Tehran
US troops have allowed the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) to secretly keep weapons inside their camp in Iraq, a defected member of the group says.
“After the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, US troops appeared to have disarmed the MKO members at the camp, but in reality this did not happen,” Maryam Sanjabi, an ex-MKO member, told Press TV.
According to the organization’s defected members, since 2003 the leaders of the camp have been training the members on how to launch attacks against Iraqi forces if they tried to enter the camp.
“When the Iraqi government decided to set up a police station inside the camp, the situation got complex and the organization decided to fight back by preventing its members from communicating with the outside world,” Sanjabi added.
Former members have described life at the MKO’s Camp Ashraf as miserable, saying the organization has been brainwashing its members for the last two decades.
They say that the MKO members who reside in the camp are deprived of basic human rights. For example, they are not allowed to use the phone or internet or even communicate with the outside world by any means.
They further explained that the residents of the camp have to show blind obedience to their leaders or face the death penalty.
“MKO is a cult with an ideology of its own. Those in the camp are deprived of basic rights and must follow their superiors without any questions asked ,”Sanjabi went on to say.
The MKO is listed as a terrorist organization by much of the international community, and is responsible for numerous terrorist acts against both Iranians and Iraqis.
The group is especially notorious in Iran for siding with former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.
It has also claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks and the assassination of significant figures and ordinary civilians in Iran over the past three decades.
Iraqi security forces say they have managed to discover a hidden munitions depot inside the terrorist Mujahedin Khalq Organization’s (MKO) Camp Ashraf in Diyala province north of Baghdad.
Local officials say that US troops had earlier claimed that they disarmed the MKO terrorists in the camp but that has turned out to be no true, it seemed that was not true, a Press TV correspondent reported Monday.
Camp Ashraf served for years as the armed training base for MKO members and provided the Iranian terrorist group with a massive shelter by former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein,
The Mayor of Al-Khalis, where the camp is located, displayed photos of the weapons discovered in the terrorist camp and said that they were buried inside the Ashraf camp.
“Finding light and heavy weapons inside camp in a buried arsenal means they intend to attack the security forces,” Al-Khalis Mayor Oday al-Khadran said.
Meanwhile, Diayala police chief said that MKO leaders had claimed that they have already handed over 17,000 pieces of weaponry to American troops since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
“If the MKO had 17,000 pieces of weapons then how many hidden weapons do they have now? We confirmed that they attacked us with knives and tear gas,” Diyala Police chief Abdul Hussein Damouk said.
Recently, MKO claimed that the Iraqi security forces killed more than 34 of its members in the group’s latest clashes with Iraqi troops in April. However, AFP reported that only 10 terrorists were killed.
Iraqi officials say the clashes erupted when members of the camp began hurling stones and attacking security forces with knives and other weapons while they were carrying out their field duties.
Two days after the clashes, the Iraqi defense ministry held a press conference inside the camp to show that MKO claims were baseless.
Since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, the group has received backing from a number of US lawmakers who continue to argue that the MKO terror group should be removed from the US international list of groups that support terrorism.
However, in line with the new Iraqi constitution, Baghdad government has vowed that it is determined to expel MKO terrorists from Iraq by the end of 2011.
Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh has recently said that the cabinet is determined to shut down the Camp and disband the terrorist group.
Most MKO terrorists fled Iran after they carried out a large number of terrorist assassinations and bombings in1980. They formally settled in Iraq in 1986, enjoying full support of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
The MKO is responsible for numerous acts of terror against Iranian civilians and government officials as well as many Iraqi civilians that opposed the rule of the country’s last brutal dictator.
More than 3,000 MKO members reside at Camp Ashraf. In addition to cooperating with US operatives in Iraq, the MKO reportedly dispatches its elements from the terror camp to Iran to carry out espionage and terrorist operations for some Western countries.Download Iraq unveils MKO’s hidden weaponry
The description of its logo published by the Organisation remains valid and is used in internal teachings up to this day. No other statement, declaration or other announcement has ever contradicted the attached statement. The logo is being used by the organisation as the official symbol to this day.
In the Mojahedin’s own explanation of its logo we read:
… The name of the organization, the Mojahedin, is cited in the motto-verse, a name which has ideological and historical significance, refelecting on the entire history of those have striven and struggled (manintained the Jehadd) throughout the history of Islam. the paramount position of the motto-verse emphesizes the faith aspect and the struggle ideology of the Mojahedin’s school of thought and action, as the hige-pin of the organization’s revolutionary approach, stressing the fact that the true Islam is the criterion for the manner of meetingconfrontations and taking positions…
…For a revolutionary organization, the name has a particular importance, for the name fudamentally represents what the organization stands for; it encapsulates its point of veiw, its path and its ideological totality, the sum of its ideals, its values, its long-term policy and its political methodology…
… Indeed, [Imam] Hussein is the guidance lamp … This brief statement makes it clear that this portion of the emblem comes precisely out of the culture and ideology of Islam. An important point to remember is that an effective symbol is one which can communicate in the international language of revolutionary and progressive organizations. In this respect, our star is a hallmark which is instantly recognizable to elements in the forefront of progressive action, a symbol which is employed by other forces, as well. And therefore, having currency all over the world…
… The rifle: The rifle is in the truest sense, the mark of unswerving belief in and full commitment to the JEHAAD, the Islamic striving and struggle, and the revolutionary approach of armed combat, the objective manifestation of which, in historical terms, is what we term the "ASHURA OF HOSEIN" which deep in the hearts of the Shi’a Moslems is considered the "Day" par excellence (the moment of truth), the "Day of Blood and faith".
In the Koran, this meaning is elaborated in such verses as:
"Those who have accepted the faith and have slain and been slain, their misdoings will be absolved absolutely."
And again:
"O believers, "Arm yourselves."
The rifle represents for us the highest form of combat, which takes place in the world of sacred striving, to remove oppression and exploitation from society, that JEHAAD which IMAM ALI described as the gateway of gateways to heaven, so that one who wields the sword (or today the rifle) on battlefield hallows that ground and follows the straightest path.
In this sprit, we saw the validity of this approach in our own society when they underwent the horrible slaughter infected by the previous regime (the regime of Shah of Iran), which the people met with an active response, without waiting to talk or even to think about it. In the final analysis, the rifle is the most appropriate symbol of this approach, the sole way to resolve the contradiction between the people and Imperialism. And this is the very thing which makes the reactionaries uneasy and stirs them to mount their opposition…
And the State Dept. report said year after year that:
"… The MEK advocates the violent overthrow of the Iranian regime and was responsible for the assassination of several U.S. military personnel and civilians in the 1970’s. MEK leadership and members across the world maintain the capacity and will to commit terrorist acts in Europe, the Middle East, the United State, Canada, and beyond…"
"… In addition to its terrorist credentials, the MEK has also displayed cult-like characteristics. Upon entry into the group, new members are indoctrinated in MEK ideology and revisionist Iranian history. Members are also required to undertake a vow of "eternal divorce" and participate in weekly "ideological cleansings." Additionally, children are reportedly separated from parents at a young age. MEK leader Maryam Rajavi has established a "cult of personality." She claims to emulate the Prophet Muhammad and is viewed by members as the "Iranian President in exile…"."
"…In 2003, French authorities arrested 160 MEK members at operational bases they believed the MEK was using to coordinate financing and planning for terrorist attacks. Upon the arrest of MEK leader Maryam Rajavi, MEK members took to Paris’ streets and engaged in self-immolation. French authorities eventually released Rajavi. Although currently in hiding, Rajavi has made appearances via video-satellite to "motivate" MEK-sponsored conferences across the globe.
According to evidence which became available after the fall of Saddam Hussein, the MEK received millions of dollars in Oil-for-Food program subsidies from Saddam Hussein from 1999 through 2003, which supported planning and executing future terrorist attacks…"
In addition, the report of course continues describing "Mojahedin Khalq Organization" by pointing out:
– The assassination of US military and civilian personnel in Iran during 1970s,
– Stressing the ability and the will of MKO members and leadership to conduct terrorist operations across the world,
– Introducing the MKO as one of the most violent political groups, established during 60s,
– Emphasizing the fact that MKO was disliked by Iranians, following the Islamic Revolution,
– Underlining the fact that for more than 3 decades, MKO used its bases in Iraq and Europe to conduct terror attacks against Iran,
– Expansion of financial base, military skills and leaders’ activities in Europe.
– Showing cult-like characteristics, in addition to terrorist ones,
– Ideological pressure on members and offering them distorted history of Iran,
– Stressing the existence of compulsory divorces, cleansing sessions and separation of kids from their parents,
– Establishing cult-of-personality around Rajavi.
The report continues talking about the "Activities" of Mojahedin Khalq:
– Confessing that despite US efforts, MKO members and leaders have never been taken to court for their role in illegal activities,
– MKO has been supported by reprehensible regimes, like that of Saddam Hussein.
– Stressing that MKO conducted terrorist operations from its bases in France for 5 years,
– Citing reports that showed Maryam Rajavi encouraged members to "crush Kurds under the tanks",
– That 7 Iranians had been arrested by FBI for transferring 400000 dollars to the MKO for buying weapons,
– Voluntarily surrender to coalition, after the ouster of Saddam, and submitting heavy weaponries,
– Arrest of 160 MKO members, including Maryam Rajavi, in France for using its bases in France for planning and financing terrorist operations,
– Self-immolations by MKO members, following the detention of Maryam Rajavi,
– Maryam Rajavi’s going to hiding, and using video-satellite to motivate members,
– Discovering documents that prove MKO received the money of oil-for-food program and used the money for terrorist attacks,
– Citing documents that prove MKO-Saddam ties: lists, a film showing Saddam when he gives a suitcase of money to MKO’s known leaders, and a footage of MKO members being trained by Iraqi army.
Below you can consider the stand of US towards terrorist Organizations including MKO (Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization) and its front Organizations during the past fifteen years:
ADVT’s letter to Spain Prime Minister
Dear Mr. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero:
Prime Minister of Spain
Undoubtedly terrorism has turned out to be the most important threat against the human society in the beginning of the third millennium. The suppression of this phenomenon relies on the mutual cooperation between governments and international bodies and avoiding any dual approach towards it.
Your Excellency,
We, the families of terrorism victims of the Middle East, expressing our sympathy with you and the people of Spain on the occasion of the anniversary of the 11th March terrorist attack in Madrid subway in 2004 which led to the killing of 191 people and the injury of more than 1500, condemn any act of terrorism which endangers the lives of innocent people.
Mr. Prime Minister,
The Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism (ADVT) consisting of the families of terrorism victims of the Middle East condemning any act of terrorism anywhere in the world believes that with the expansion of terrorism in various parts of the world, not any country would be safe from the anti human attacks of terrorist groups. As we know, during the recent years many terrorist attacks have been occurred in European countries.
Your Excellency,
The support made by some international bodies and governments for the terrorist groups can be regarded as one of the problems in the course of the global fight against terrorism. In spite of the existence of anti-terrorism laws and Security Council and UN General Assembly Resolutions on suppressing this plight, we witness the support of some governmental officials of the activities of the terrorist groups. Such terrorist groups are included in the list of the terrorist organizations of many countries and the international documents have also emphasized on their terrorist nature. However, due to the current political games they still are supported by some European countries.
Mr. Prime Minister,
The expansion of such backings from terrorist groups even in the form of political games is the main reason for the dissemination of violent terrorist acts and consequently the murder of innocent people and the decreasing of the international security.
Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism once more condemning any act of terrorism in the world and the 11th March terrorist attack in Madrid calls for the increase of the global efforts in fighting against terrorism and prevent any illegal support in European countries in favor of terrorist groups.
The Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism
Following the recent acts of support for Mujahedin Khalq Organization by a number of US politicians, World Tribune published an article authored by Sheda Vasseghi who tries to define the true nature of the group recalling the US officials of its original anti-Western stance and their unpopularity among Iranian nation. She presents her arguments based on MKO’s official journals and statement in its early years:
The official organ of the PMOI declares in its October 1980 issue: “Ever since its foundation in 1965, the thrust of the battle against the U.S. advisors fell to the Mojahedin, who targeted and claimed the lives of a number for the first time, while it was the PMOI bombs planted in imperialist and Zionist institutions and destroying them which first caused the imperialists and their domestic mercenaries to be alarmed.” In a May 1981 Open Letter to [Ayatollah]Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the PMOI wrote: “In the dark era of the Shah, the Mojahedin had taken up arms and never missed an opportunity to gun down the imperialist American advisors” (Focus on Iran, Vol. II, No. 7, July 1995).The PMOI is a cult rather than a political party based on Islamo-Marxist doctrines. Group members must give full obedience to the leaders of the party, who contrary to their alleged desire and respect for democracy, are not elected by any democratic means. The PMOI political philosophy plans to nationalize all industries, transportation and communication. It makes clear without any ambiguity that it will do away with “vestiges’ of capitalism” including collectivizing agriculture (Focus on Iran, Vol. II, No. 7, July 1995).
As a matter of fact, in adherence to its form of “democracy,” the PMOI has already chosen the next president of Iran from its leadership should it come to power. Since its inception in 1965, the PMOI has committed horrific terrorist acts against the Iranian people including fighting on the Iraqi side during the bloody eight-year war between Iraq and Iran. Hence, the PMOI has no real legitimacy or following in Iran.
About MKO’s approach towards Islamic Republic, Vasseghi describes its ability to deceive Western politicians:
The PMOI’s philosophy is based on the classic tactic of “my enemy is your enemy, therefore, we are friends, you must support us against our common enemy” (Focus on Iran, Vol. II, No. 7, July 1995).Given the PMOI’s ability to raise massive funds from enemies of the Islamic Republic in exchange for mercenary manpower and acts of terrorism, its organization is able to fund major lobbying campaigns in the West as well as media infiltration. Even though the PMOI was designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Canada in 1997 (maintained during the Bush Administration) and European Union (EU) in 2002, after years of expensive court proceedings and lobbying the EU removed the group from its list of terrorist organization back in January 2009.
She criticizes US politicians asking them a crucial question:
So how is it that former Mayor Giuliani with firsthand knowledge and experience of the effects of terrorism, two former CIA directors, and two former generals of Central Command would now support a cult with a 45-year-old terrorist record as an alternative regime for a country that serves as a key to balance of power in a volatile region?
Mojahedin Khalq attacked its own country as well as ours
I write regarding a commentary article that appeared under the headline Egyptian protests provoke images of Iran, on Feb. 11 in The Spectator.
Almost anything critical of Iran seems to find a place in your newspaper, and the origin of the information does not seem to matter. The article tried to legitimize an anti-Iranian terrorist group. MEK, the Iranian People’s Mojahedin Organization, which the author argues should be taken off the U.S. list of terrorist organizations, was founded after the 1979 Islamic Revolution by out-of-power groups. Here’s a partial list of its terrorist activities, which have resulted in 1,200 civilian deaths in Iran:
• June 1981: the bombing of the Islamic Republican Party headquarters, killing Iran’s chief justice, 19 members of the Iranian Parliament, five cabinet ministers, and 47 other people;
• June 1981: the attempted assassination of Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khameini;
• August 1981: the bombing of Iranian President Ali Rajai’s office, killing him, the prime minister and another person;
• The exploding of bombs in marketplaces and taxis around the capital city, Tehran.
MEK’s international reach extends to Canada. On April 5, 1992, Iran’s Ottawa embassy was stormed by a group of Iranian exiles linked to MEK. The mob ransacked much of the interior and broke the ambassador’s arm. It was part of a co-ordinated series of actions that saw Iranian embassies attacked in Europe that same day.
MEK has no popular base in any country. It relies totally on foreign sponsorship. During the 1980-88 war against Iran launched by Iraq’s late dictator, Saddam Hussein, which was funded partly by the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Gulf states, MEK was allowed to set up a military base, Camp Ashraf, inside Iraq. Its own country under attack, MEK was given refuge inside the aggressor’s territory.
The Spectator clearly has a double standard when it comes to terrorism. During the 1970 October Crisis, when ordinary civilians were wounded by FLQ bombs in Quebec and officials kidnapped and killed, The Spectator took a strong stand against terrorism in Canada. Why publish the call for MEK’s rehabilitation now?
MEK is a small sect, united only by its capacity for violence, loyal to no country. However, in the Mideast, there are broadly based popular movements in various countries that the article lists as “extremists.” One of these is Hezbollah in Lebanon, which boasts the largest bloc of members of the Lebanese parliament. Another is Hamas in Gaza, which came to power through election.
How is it that The Spectator can print an article endorsing a terror cell’s call for democracy in Iran, while criticizing movements and governments that represent some of the only democratic processes in the Mideast?
Brendan Stone is cochair, Hamilton Coalition To Stop The War, The Spce
Mojahedin Khalq terrorist forces inside Ashraf garrison have organised a provocative demonstration during which they have attacked the Iraqi military forces stationed inside the camp resulting in the injury of several of the Iraqi forces.
The pre-meditated attack follows an audio message from the leader of the cult a few days ago.
The Mojahedin forces of around 3000 people gathered on the main street of the camp (called Road 100), in a so called condemnation gathering against the execution of Ali Haj Aghaei and Ja’far Kazemi in Iran (not Iraq) during which they started attacking the Iraqi security forces injuring some of them.
They shouted slogans at the Iraqis saying “I will kill, I will kill, the one who killed my brother” while attacking the Iraqis in charge of the security of the camp. They were apparently trying to overcome the Iraqi security forces in a bid to reach the families who have been picketing in front of the camp for the last 12 months demanding visiting rights to their loved ones taken hostage by the Rajavi cult inside Ashraf garrison. (Ashraf is the HQ of the Washington-backed Mojahedin Khalq terrorist group. The place was given to them by Saddam Hussein in exchange for their co-operation in the massacre of Iraqis and Iranians during their stay.)
The Iraqi forces in charge of the security of the camp were forced to shoot over the heads of the crowd in order to stop the Mojahedin from harming the old and sick picketing families at the gates of the camp.
Following are parts of the film taken by the MKO itself (broadcast on their American backed TV station) showing clearly their attacks on the Iraqi security forces.
Massoud Rajavi the cult leader has realized that the pressure put on the families who have been picketing in front of the Camp Ashraf for the last 12 months demanding their right to visit relative, has not worked and he has now has started a new criminal campaign against them. He has ordered his henchmen to make missiles with whatever they can find and to launch them at the mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, who have been sitting in the Iraqi desert with only the hope of seeing their loved ones taken hostage by Rajavi cult inside the infamous camp.
The cult leaders have also constructed dykes along the southern and eastern boundaries of the garrison in order to hide behind them and use catapults and other equipment to target the grieving families.
This new ploy by the Rajavis started when their use of parasite equipment failed to stop the voices of the families reaching the hostages inside. The families never accepted to stop broadcasting their messages to their loved ones inside the camp.
According to the news from inside the camp there are only a few mercenaries inside the camp who carry out such orders. These are the same people who have been involved in the insurgency in Iraq during the past few years since the fall of Rajavi’s benefactor Saddam Hussein.
Sahar Family Foundation once again asks international human rights organisations to send fact-finding groups to this camp and see the behaviour of the cult leader with their own eyes. We ask all international human rights organisations to support the basic human rights of the families who have been picketing here for the last 12 months.
There is no doubt that in the next stage, the cult leaders will resort to direct assassination, in which case the various UN bodies and the international organisations who have been keeping silent to protect the political benefits of some in the US and the EU, will be partly responsible for such a disaster.
Translated by Iran Interlink