FCO answers Mojahedin Khalq (MKO, MEK, NCRI, Rajavi cult) lobby in U.K. Parliament
Asked by Lord Corbett of Castle Vale
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent assurances they have requested and received 
from the Government of Iraq about the rights of refugee members of the Iranian resistance at Camp Ashraf. [HL1668]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials in Baghdad visited Camp Ashraf on 24 July 2010 to clarify whether any of the residents qualified for UK consular assistance. During their visit they met with the Iraqi army, which confirmed that food and medical supplies were permitted to enter the camp.
Our ambassador in Baghdad met with the Iraqi Human Rights Minister on 20 May 2010 and underlined the need for the Iraqi authorities to deal with the residents in a way that meets international humanitarian standards. The Iraqi authorities have told the residents that they can no longer stay at Camp Ashraf but have given assurances that no residents will be forcibly transferred to a country where they have reason to fear persecution or where substantial grounds exist to believe they would be tortured. We continue to discuss Camp Ashraf with the Iraqi Government, the EU, the US and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
In July 2010, FCO officials in Baghdad received a report from the Iraqi Human Rights Ministry into events that took place at the camp in July 2009. We are discussing the contents with interested partners. We will write to the noble Lord with further details.
We have not received any information about the Government of Iraq denying visas to relatives and friends of the residents.
