Iran Meddling in the Middle East Must Come to an End
Nearly 18,000 Arab jurists from countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa joined their voices together today. They issued an unprecedented statement strongly demanding significant measures to guarantee safety and security for Iranian dissidents in Iraq. The dissidents are members of the opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) currently stationed in Camp Liberty near Baghdad International Airport.
The 17,865 lawyers and jurists, including 1,566 judges, launched this campaign expanding from 17 countries including Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates. They demand serious action from the United Nations and U.S. government, as the main parties guaranteeing the refugees’ security, to live up to their responsibilities in this regard.
Iran Attacks Iranian Dissidents
“One of the aspects of Iran’s criminal policies in Iraq is the missile attacks launched against members of its main opposition organization in Iraq. Seven lethal attacks staged by the elements of this regime in Iraq against this opposition have rendered 141 residents of camps Ashraf and Liberty killed, and more than 1,000 others wounded and injured, whereas they are considered ‘protected persons’ under the 4th Geneva Convention and the UNHCR recognizes them as refugees under international protection,” the declaration reads.
Iran Backs Shiite Militias
This statement, described as an historic initiative, goes on to denounce Iran-backed Shiite militias sparking killing sprees and horrific crimes against innocent civilians, especially the Sunni community. Millions of people have suffered as a result of Iran’s lethal meddling in the region, and it is a known fact that Iran continues to provide dozens of billions of dollars to maintain Syrian dictator Bashar Assad in power. They also spent further billions to establish, further fund, arm and organize various Shiite militia groups in Iraq currently roaming free and wreaking havoc across the country.
“This regime has no intention to end its meddling in regional countries and is seeking to compensate its failed nuclear projects through exporting crises and meddling in regional countries, and to this end overcome and place a lid on its own domestic crises. The people of Arab countries, including Iraq, Syria and Yemen comprehend that all the crimes committed against them are taking place through the direct meddling and military, arms and financial support provided by the regime ruling Iran,” the statement signatories emphasized.
Iran Causes Middle East Instability
This initiative, organized by the Association of Independent Jurists for Defense of Human Rights in Iraq, briefed the demands made by the Arab jurists as bringing an end to Iran’s lethal meddling in Iraq and all countries of the region. They describe this phenomenon as the main element behind all the “killings, instability, insecurity and the spread of sectarianism”; ensuring safety and security for the Iranian opposition members in Iraq; bringing an end to the “cruel siege and prison-making measures imposed on Camp Liberty” and “recognizing the site as a refugee camp under UNHCR auspices.”
