Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Crossbench)
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 27
February (HL15532), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the memorandum of understanding signed by the Government of Iraq in respect of Camp Liberty infrastructure and facilities.
Lord Howell of Guildford (Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Conservative)
The memorandum of understanding governing the voluntary transfer of residents of Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty [Temporary Transit Location] is a document between the United Nations (UN) and the Government of Iraq. It has not been made publicly available and I regret that the Government are not in a position to place a copy of this memorandum in the Library of the House.
The UN has said publicly, however, that under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, conditions at Camp Liberty[Temporary Transit Location] would meet basic humanitarian standards including: adequate accommodation; dining and food preparation facilities; hygiene infrastructure (water and sanitation); medical care; community spaces; separate accommodation and spaces for women; and facilities for religious observance. The UN conducted a thorough assessment of the conditions at the camp before the relocation of the first residents from Ashraf to Liberty [TTL]. The residents can also use contractors to further improve conditions at Camp Liberty [TTL].
Regarding access to lawyers and families, we would hope that the Government of Iraq would adhere to the undertakings we understand they have made to allow such access. With regard to personal belongings, we understand that those transferring from Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty[TTL] would be able to take personal belongings with them. Iraqi authorities and representatives of the residents have discussed what this includes.
The UN continues to monitor the situation at Camp Liberty[TTL] on a daily basis, and officials at our embassy in Baghdad are in close touch with the UN. We continue to support the UN in its efforts to find a durable and peaceful solution to the issue of the future of the residents of Camp Ashraf.
