Brussels, 24/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 24 October, 150 MEPs called on the EU to take measures for the seven members of the People's Mujahedin - who disappeared from Camp Ashraf (Iraq) on 1 September - to be immediately and unconditionally released (see EUROPE 10912). In a joint statement, the MEPs call on High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, on President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, on President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and on the member states to take immediate measures to ensure that Iraq honours the MEPs' demand for the release. They add that any further loss of life is unacceptable, stating that the members of the hostages' families have been on hunger strike for eight weeks and are thus at a critical point.
The MEPs also reiterate their call for a full and independent investigation into the massacre on 1 September during which 52 Camp Ashraf residents died, and they call for the result of this investigation to be published immediately. Struan Stevenson MEP (ECR, UK), who is the head of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with Iran, says that the MEPs are against this investigation being conducted by Iraq. In Stevenson's opinion, the Iraqi government played a role in the attack and disappearances.
The UN should also send UN peacekeepers to protect the other 3,000 inhabitants who are in Camp Liberty from any fresh attacks by the Iraqi forces, the MEPs add.
The MEPs recall that the Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in Iraq on 10 October, in which the Parliament calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the seven hostages. Ashton has also called for an investigation into the attack (see EUROPE 10913) and for the seven hostages to be released (see EUROPE 10920). (CG/transl.fl)