Honourable Barack Obama
President, United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

We have learned today with anxiety that the Iraqi Police forces have unexpectedly entered Camp Ashraf, home to 3400 Iranian dissidents who have been recognized as "Protected Persons" under the Fourth Geneva Convention by the US and coalition forces.

The recent move follows the unlawful siege of Ashraf since February 2009 and is in line with the declared intention of "Making the situation intolerable for Ashraf residents" in violation of Geneva Conventions, International Humanitarian Law and International Law.

The timing of this move coincides with the renewed call by the Iranian fundamentalist rulers to put pressure on its opposition and their demands from the Iraqi government to expel, extradite or move Ashraf residents.

We fully support the European Parliament's resolution of April 24th on the humanitarian situation of Camp Ashraf residents that urges the Iraqi Prime Minister to ensure that no action is taken by the Iraqi authorities which violates the human rights of the Camp Ashraf residents and calls on the Iraqi government to end its blockade of the camp and respect the legal status of the Camp Ashraf residents as "protected persons" under the Geneva Conventions, and to refrain from any action that would endanger their life or security, namely full access to food, water, medical care and supplies, fuel, family members and international humanitarian organizations.

To date the Iraqi government has refused to implement this resolution and to acknowledge the rights of Ashraf residents. In order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe for Camp Ashraf residents, we urge you Mr. President, to ensure the US takes over the responsibility of protecting Ashraf residents.

Sincerely,

Hon. David Kilgour, JD Co-Chair, Ottawa
Raymonde Folco, MP, Montreal (Laval-les-Iles), Co-Chair
Paul Forseth, former MP, Co-Chair, Vancouver
Bernard Patry, MP, Montreal (Pierrefonds)
Carolyn Bennett, MP, Toronto (St. Paul)
Alan Tonks, MP, Toronto (York South- Weston)
Pablo Rodriguez, MP, Montreal (Honore-Mercier)
Tom Wappel, former MP, Scarborough
Dan McTeague, MP, Pickering
Maurice Vellacott, MP, Saskatchewan


CC:
Hon. Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State
General Raymond T. Odierno, Commander, MNF-I
Hon. Christopher Hill, US Ambassador to Iraq