CAMP ASHRAF ‘MOHAREBEH’
Enemies of God
By Elizabeth Sidney

The residents of Camp Ashraf are all, according to the Mullahs ruling Iran, ‘Moharebeh’. Article 186 of the Iranian regime’s Islamic Punishments Act, affirms that all who in any way support a group calling for the regime’s overthrow are deemed to be waging war on God and liable to execution.

Camp Ashraf, founded thirty years ago on land rented from the Iraqi government, is home to over 3000 Iranian opponents of the present regime in Iran and the mullahs want it closed down. Ashraf has become a symbol of resistance and if it were to go very little would stand in the way of Iran’s continuing infiltration of Iraq and the rapid spread of  extremist Islam. Its closure would also help Ayatollah Khameini regain his grip on government.

Ashraf residents are regularly subject to harassment and physical attack from Iranian forces. So far, they have been somewhat protected by the local presence of US forces, because the USA is required to recognise their Protected  Persons status under Article 45 of the 4th Geneva Convention. But on July 1st, the US forces handed over to the Iraqis and UNAMI ( UN Assistance Mission for Iraq), which has monitored Ashraf’s status, is moving to Baghdad. Iranian attacks on the Camp seem likely to increase unimpeded. They have already prevented food, water and medicines from entering the Camp and now maintain a continuous noisy barrage of propaganda at the gate.

Ahraf residents face certain execution if they return to Iran. They bear the standard for all their colleagues in the resistance movement. They are sustained by worldwide messages and televised programmes of rallies of Friends of Iran. On 26th June 2010, the NCRI (National Council of Resistance of Iran) organised a major afternoon rally in support of Ashraf  and I joined the thousands filling the huge open air venue north of Paris. We heard music from the Ashraf orchestra and speeches from major politicians round the world. They included John Bolton, former Permanent US Representative to the UN, and former Prime Ministers Jose Maria Aznar of Spain and Sid Ahmed Ghozali of Algeria. Politicians and lawyers had come from across Europe, the Middle East and Canada.  The crowd was enthusiastic and nothing reduced the applause and chanting. But it was extremely hot and we were all grateful for the purple hats and parasols handed out by our hosts, together with bottles of water and fruit juice. The purple sea made a colourful sight. I hoped the viewers also saw the great purple gold fringed balloons floating above us, bearing the picture of Mme Rajavi, President Elect of the Iranian Resistance. She closed the programme with the key note address, speaking fluently in French and English and somehow managing to continue to look cool and elegant.

She welcomed the UN Security Council’s 56th condemnation of Iran’s violations of human rights, passed in June 2010, and the stronger sanctions just approved by President Obama and Europe, although they needed to be stronger still. She called for UN forces to take over the protection of Camp Ahraf and for Ayatollah Khameini , President Ahmadinejad and other regime leaders to be tried for genocide by an international court. She called for the USA to remove the terrorist label from the PMOI, as the UK and European Union had done. Speaking to the resistance movement in Iran, she said they had declared they  did not want turbaned fascists. They did not want stoning, executions and amputations. They did not want forced veiling, compulsory religion and imposed rule. We want the mullahs gone from Iran.

She spoke about the courage of Ashraf residents, how they had withstood bombings, terrorists attacks, assassinations and siege. She saluted the Camp’s martyrs and announced the receipt of 480,000 letters from Diyala Province, where Ashraf is situated, all calling for the protection of Ashraf residents. She denounced Iran’s bullying and meddling in Iraqi politics.

But, she said, the regime was crumbling. There were defections even from the Revolutionary Guard and the Bassij Force. Democratic change from within was on its way. As always, this affirmation and hope drew the greatest applause.

It was on this same day that the USA took a major step against the Iranian regime. President Obama signed into law a further package of sanctions and the UN Security Council has done the same.  Will they work this time? Have they worked so far ?

The NCRI has obtained internal reports from Iranian officials to the President and the Defence Minister, acknowledging difficulties in obtaining steel and laser technology and the expense of using illegal sources. The rationing of gasoline had provoked widespread protest and the Revolutionary Guard, the Bassij forces and the State security forces would need special plans to counter protests when further restrictions were imposed. In April, a manager of the National Oil Company had stated that the domestic refineries had no further capacity and had  listed foreign suppliers who had refused to trade. Using illegal imports would be prohibitively expensive. But senior directors of the Iranian Oil Ministry perceived a bigger problem. The US banks were refusing funds, as had two banks operating with Shell and banks in Dubai. Out of sixteen small banks, only three had agreed to negotiate. Chinese banks working with USA had implemented sanctions and Indian companies had refused to circumvent sanctions. So the internal evidence is that sanctions have had an effect, and stronger sanctions should have more.

They have not been brought in to enforce better human rights, of course. They have been brought in because of fears regarding Iran’s nuclear intentions. It is indeed terrifying to think that such a regime should possess these ultimate weapons. Nevertheless, sanctions may change Iran. They may be the best prospect yet for all campaigning for more humane and democratic government and for the beleaguered residents of Camp Ashraf .

Elizabeth Sidney July 2010