On July 28, at the request of Iran's regime, Iraqi security forces attacked unarmed refugees at Camp Ashraf, using guns, axes, clubs and American-made Humvee armored vehicles. The camp is home to 3,400 members of the main Iranian opposition, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). The attack left nine people dead and 500 injured; 36 have been taken hostage by Iraqi forces. American soldiers were present on the scene but did not prevent the massacre. Iraq's security forces, whose cruelty and brutality have shocked the world's conscience, are still stationed in Ashraf and can at any time commit further crimes. They clearly hope to obliterate Ashraf and its residents.
All Ashraf residents surrendered their weapons to US forces in 2003 and signed an agreement with US forces, stipulating in part that the Americans accepted the responsibility to protect them until the determination of their final status. In February 2009, Ashraf's protection was transferred to Iraqi forces. Before that, numerous parliamentarians, jurists and human rights organizations, who in light of the Iranian regime's influence within the al-Maliki government predicted such crimes, called on the US government to avoid transferring the protection. All of the residents stressed in private interviews with American forces in August 2008 that they would have no security if their protection were to be transferred to Iraq. None of these warnings were heeded.
Accurate news is difficult to obtain as journalists cannot enter Ashraf. Lawyers who want to visit clients are not being given visas to enter Iraq. After two weeks, Iraqi officials will still not allow residents to bury those who were killed in the attack. In extremely hot weather and with poor electricity, it is simply inhuman not to allow bodies to be buried.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International has recently (Aug 11th) voiced concerns about the detained residents of Ashraf. The key points of AI's statement:
--Thirty-six Iranian residents of Ashraf remain at risk of being forcibly returned to Iran where they could face torture or execution.
--At least eight residents were killed and many more injured during the raid. At least seven are said to need urgent medical care.
--Following the raid, 36 were taken to a police station inside the camp before being transferred to a police station about 25 km south of Ashraf.
--According to reports, the detainees were told to sign documents written in Arabic by those detaining them, but refused to do so. They have also sought access to lawyers, so far unsuccessfully.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/concerns-grow-detained-iranian-residents-iraq-camp-ashraf-20090811
Reporters Without Borders (RWB)
Reporters Without Borders (RWB) condemned the government of Iraq for detaining journalists for trying to cover the operations by the Iraqi army inside Ashraf. Eight Iraqi journalists working for local and international media were denied entry to Ashraf on August 1 and, the following day, several journalists were detained for four hours and their equipment was temporarily confiscated. At no time since the start of the Iraqi army's siege of the camp on July 28 have journalists been allowed into the area to film or to interview families and victims.
"It is clear the Iraqi authorities are ensuring that no reports or images emerge from Camp Ashraf but, in so doing, they are showing they have something to hide," RWB said. "This situation is unacceptable. The army must allow journalists to do their job in the camp, so that the world can know what is happening there."
(http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4a7fdcbdc.html).
US State Department
On August 12th, a transcript of the State Department's regular news briefing has Philip Crowley, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, saying about Ashraf:
QUESTION:
''That Iranian exile group, MEK, is accusing the United States of failing to live up to some written commitments to look after its people's interests at the -- at their camp in Iraq. Anything to say about that?''
CROWLEY:
''Well, we think that the outbreak of violence at Ashraf was an avoidable tragedy. We certainly understand and -- and -- you know, and support efforts by the Iraqi government to extend its sovereignty into the camp. I think even the Iraqi government would -- would acknowledge that that effort, while understandable, you know, was not necessarily executed as it should have been. "
No comment seems necessary about Crawley`s assessment.
David Matas
At a press conference on August 11 at the Press Club de France in Paris, David Matas, one of Canada's best-known lawyers and my colleague on the International Commission of Jurists in Defence of Ashraf from Canada, said:
''Iraqi police on July 28, 2009 attacked the residents of Camp Ashraf, killed nine, kidnapped thirty six and wounded hundreds. The American armed forces, who were present, videoed the attack, but did nothing else. They did not object during the attack or after. They did not make a public statement about what they had witnessed. They did not release the videos they had taken.
''US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, when asked at a press conference in Washington DC, the day after the attack on Camp Ashraf about the attack the day before, said:
'And although the U.S. Government remains engaged and concerned about this issue, it is a matter now for the Government of Iraq to resolve in accordance with its laws'."
''The United States, elsewhere in the world, condemns violations of human rights. It should do no less in Iraq when the violations occur in front of its own armed forces.
''I expect and hope that the US would take note of and censure grave violations of the human rights of the residents of Camp Ashraf. But now that is not happening. We have to find others in the international community who are able and willing to do what the United States is not doing.
''I came from Canada this morning. Tomorrow I intend to go to Geneva where I hope to meet with officials from the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to ask if they could send observers immediately to Camp Ashraf. I would hope that observers would be present in the Camp and not, like the Americans, outside.
"Because the Iraqi police have attacked the residents of Camp Ashraf with impunity, an international presence is necessary to put a brake on their cruelty. An international presence, which can report publicly and objectively on what is happening in the Camp, will, I believe, serve to restrain the behaviour of the Iraqi police.''
Conclusion
David Matas has voiced what any fair-minded Iraqi, Canadian, American or resident of any rule of law country would say about the nightmare continuing at Ashraf as we meet here under the peace tower on Canada's Parliament Hill. Those who hear what is said here today must resolve to act reponsibly, whether in Baghdad, Ottawa, Washington or any other capital, where human dignity counts.
The criminal operation against Ashraf residents, who are all “protected persons” under the Fourth Geneva Convention, was carried out at the request of the Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader.
All of us here , in solidarity with others demonstrating today in more than a hundred cities around the world, are seeking:
1. Iraqi forces must immediately withdraw from Ashraf;
2. US forces, must assume responsibility for protecting Ashraf;
3. Lawyers and international human rights organisations, which have been banned for the past seven months, must be allowed in Ashraf;
4. The UN Security Council or Secretary General must send a representative to Ashraf;
5. Those who ordered or perpetrated the brutal attacks and massacre in Camp Ashraf must be prosecuted by an international tribunal for crimes against humanity.
6. The PMOI/MEK must be removed from the list of terrorist organizations in Canada and the US, as was done for good rule of law reasons early this year by all 27 member governments of the European Union.
Thank you.
David Kilgour's Biography
For your convenience, David Kilgour's biography is also given in a shorter Notes format.
David Kilgour
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David Kilgour is currently chair of the Latin America and Caribbean policy working group of the Ottawa branch of the Canadian International council, a Fellow of the Queen's University Centre for the Study of Democracy and a director of the Washington-based Council for a Community of Democracies (CCD).
First elected in 1979 in the riding of Edmonton Strathcona, he was re-elected seven times, most recently in 2004 to represent the constituents of Edmonton - Mill Woods - Beaumont. During his time in Parliament he was Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Committees of the Whole House, Secretary of State for Latin America & Africa, and Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific. He did not stand in the 2006 election.
David continues to be active in many issues of human rights and international concern. His latest book, Uneasy Neighbo(u)rs, co-authored with David Jones a former American diplomat, discusses the relationship of Canada and the USA in the dynamics of state, industry and culture. His many interests and speeches are well documented on his personal website.
David and Laura
Biography
David Kilgour is currently a Fellow of the Queen's University Centre for the Study of Democracy and a director of the Council for a Community of Democracies (CCD). He was one of the two longest-serving MPs in the House of Commons for the 38th Parliament. First elected in 1979 in the riding of Edmonton Strathcona, he has been re-elected seven times, most recently in 2004 to represent the constituents of Edmonton - Mill Woods - Beaumont. Since Confederation, only two Alberta MPs have served longer terms.
In the 38th Parliament, David was Chair of the Canada-ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast; co-chair of the All-Party and Multi-Faith Committee on Religious-Cultural Harmony and the Parliamentary Friends of Tibet; and Canadian Chair of Parliamentarians for Global Action.
Family
David was born in 1941 in Winnipeg. While studying at St John's Ravenscourt School, he won the Governor General's medal, and later completed a B.A. in Economics at the University of Manitoba and an L.L.B from the University of Toronto in 1966.
After being set up on a blind date, David married Laura Scott in 1974. They have four grown children.
Early Beginnings
After graduating from high school, David worked as a ranch hand at the A-7 Ranche in the foothills of southwest Alberta. While at university, he pursued a wide variety of career options, including becoming a trail rides guide in Banff National Park, a copy writer for the Winnipeg Free Press and a labourer-teacher on a steel gang with Frontier College in northern Ontario.
David's interests in recreational activities also started early in life. While studying law at the University of Toronto, he was a member of the Varsity Blues Boxing Team. He has played many sports, including hockey, football, skiing and jogging.
Professional Career
As a lawyer, David was admitted to practice in Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba. After graduating from law school, he articled with a Vancouver law firm and then worked as an assistant city prosecutor for the city of Vancouver. He also had his first attempt at running for public office in the federal riding of Vancouver Centre in the 1968 election, losing to incumbent Liberal Ron Basford.
Following the '68 election, David went to work for the federal Department of Justice in Ottawa and later became Crown Attorney for the Dauphin Judicial District in Manitoba. From 1972 to 1979, he served as a senior agent of the Attorney General and a constitutional advisor to the Government of Alberta, a position he held until being elected to the House of Commons in the spring of 1979.
Life in the House
During his almost 27 years of service in the House of Commons, David held a wide variety of portfolios, including Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader, the Minister of External Relations, the Minister of Indian Affairs and the Minister of Transport.
His career has been marked by tough decisions and having to stand up for his beliefs. In April of 1987, he was dismissed as Parliamentary Secretary by then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney for criticizing his government's ethics and its treatment of Western Canadians. Three years later, after voting against the Goods and Services Tax, was expelled from the Conservative caucus. He briefly sat as an independent Progressive Conservative before joining the Liberal Party in 1991.
After joining the Liberals, he served as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committees of the Whole House. He then became Secretary of State for Latin America & Africa (1997-2002) and later Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific (2002-2003). He has traveled to over 75 countries and represented Canada abroad on numerous occasions, most recently as a member of the Canadian delegation to Rwanda in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the genocide.
In April 2005, he chose to become an independent Member of Parliament and did not stand in the general election of Jan, 2006.
Canada and the West
A continuing theme in David's political career has been the importance placed upon including Western Canadians in the federal political dialogue. He has always been a strong advocate of representing Western views, even if it means criticizing his own party in the process. He has published two books on the topic of regional alienation: Uneasy Patriots: Western Canadians in Confederation and Inside Outer Canada. David believes in a strong Western presence in Ottawa and has spent his career representing Edmontonians and Albertans generally at the federal table.
International Ambassador
David also believes in a stronger voice for Canada in the world. He advocates strengthening our human rights commitments and engaging in multilateral peacekeeping and peace-building efforts. He has been instrumental in bringing the situation in countries like Burma, Sudan and Zimbabwe to the forefront of Canadian foreign policy and he works with NGO's from around the world to promote the advancement of human dignity for all.
From 1990-1994, he served as the Chair of the Canadian chapter of the International Committee for a Free Vietnam, and he continues to shed light on the plight of political prisoners in Vietnam. In December of 1994, David's efforts to promote human rights in Vietnam were acknowledged by the Committee for the release of Political Prisoners in Vietnam.
David is also passionate about Rwanda and ensuring that the atrocities committed there in the mid-90's are never repeated. He counts Gen. Romeo Dallaire as one of his personal heroes and in April 2004 participated in the Canadian delegation sent to the 10th anniversary remembrance ceremonies. David also contributed to La Mission au Rwanda, a book about the aftermath of the genocide, and continues to write on issues of human rights.
Community Involvement
David has been an active member of the Edmonton community for over 25 years. He received many awards, including the Kaputiman Award from the Council of Edmonton Filipino Associations, Special Award from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (Alberta Provincial Council), and an Outstanding Service Award from the Edmonton Sikh community. He serves on the Board of Directors the Ottawa Mission, a shelter and transition centre for homeless men.
Faith Based Issues
As a practising Christian, David believes it is important to promote awareness and understanding across and among different faiths. He is a member of the Muslim-Christian Dialogue of Ottawa and received a Religious Liberty Award from the International Religious Liberty Association in Washington, D.C. As Chairman of the Parliamentary Group for Soviet Jewry, he was recognized by B’Nai Brith Canada for his effort and commitment to bringing the plight of the Soviet Jewry to the attention of Canadians. David and his staff were instrumental in helping to organize the 39th Annual National Prayer Breakfast on Parliament Hill, bringing together participants from numerous faiths to celebrate religious harmony. David is also currently working on an all-party motion to recognize the importance that religious harmony plays in our multicultural and diverse society.
Committees in the 38th Parliament
Chair, Canadian Chapter of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA)
Chair, Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast
Chair, Canada-ASEAN Inter-Parliamentarian Friendship Group
Honorary Chair, Canadian Section, International Committee for a Free Vietnam
Co-Chair, All-Party and Multi-Faith Committee on Religious-Cultural Harmony
Co-Chair, Parliamentary Friends of Tibet
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Biographical Notes
David Kilgour
Family
Professional
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Admitted to practise law in Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba
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A senior agent of the Attorney General and a constitutional advisor to the Government of Alberta, 1972-79
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Crown Attorney for Dauphin Judicial District (Manitoba); 1971-72
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Senior advisory counsel, Department of Justice, Ottawa, 1968-69
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An assistant city prosecutor, Vancouver, 1967-68
Education
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Doctoral studies in constitutional law, University of Paris, 1969-70
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LL.B. - University of Toronto, 1966; in April 2000 the University of Toronto reissued these degrees as Juris Doctor (JD)
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B.A. - economics, University of Manitoba, 1962
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Graduate, St. John’s Ravenscourt School (Governor General’s Medal), Winnipeg, 1958
Other Work Experience
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Partner, Braebourne Farm, Gunn, Alberta, honey producers, 1975-1980
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Journalist, Toronto Daily Star, 1964; copy boy Winnipeg Free Press, summer 1960
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International Economics Section, Bank of America, San Francisco, summer 1964
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Investment analyst, Citibank, Manhattan, summer 1963
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Labourer - teacher, Frontier College, northern Ontario, summer 1961
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Trail rides guide, Banff National Park, summer 1959
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Ranch-hand, A7 Ranche, Nanton, Alberta, summer 1958
Political
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Independent Member of Parliament representing Edmonton Mill Woods Beaumont until January 2006
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Chair of the Canadian Chapter of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) until January 2006
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Chair of the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast until January 2006
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Chair of the Canada-ASEAN Interparliamentarian Friendship Group until January 2006
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Honorary Chair of the Canadian Section of the International Committee for a Free Vietnam
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Co-Chair of the All-Party and Multi-Faith Committee on Religious-Cultural Harmony until January 2006
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Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Tibet until January 2006
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Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific), January 2002-December 2003
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Secretary of State (Latin America & Africa), June 1997-January 2002
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Appointed Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and Chairman of Committees of the Whole House for the 35th Parliament, January 1994
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Joined Liberal Party and appointed Critic for Energy, Mines and Resources, January 31, 1991
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Expelled from Conservative Caucus for voting against the Goods and Services Tax, April, 1990
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Dismissed as Parliamentary Secretary April 1987 by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney for criticizing ethics and treatment of Western Canadians by his government
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Parliamentary Secretary to Government House Leader, 1979; to Minister of External Relations, 1984; to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, 1985; to Minister of Transport, October 1986
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Elected M.P. for Edmonton - Beaumont, 2004
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Elected M.P. for Edmonton Southeast, 1988; re-elected 1993, 1997 and 2000
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Elected M.P. for Edmonton Strathcona, 1979; re-elected 1980 and 1984
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Progressive Conservative candidate, Vancouver Centre, 1968 federal election - defeated
Other Interests
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Member, Muslim-Christian Dialogue of Ottawa
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Board of Directors, The Ottawa Mission (for the homeless), 1988 to present
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Board of Directors, Ashbury College Foundation, Ottawa, until 2007
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Board of Directors and Steering Committee, Canada-Ukraine Legislative Cooperation Project, 1995 - June 1997
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Chair, Canadian Chapter, International Committee for a Free Vietnam, 1990-January 1994
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Chair, Canadian Parliamentary Group for Soviet Jewry, 1984-86
Writings
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Author of Uneasy Patriots: Western Canadians in Confederation (1988), Inside Outer Canada(1990), and Betrayal: The Spy Canada Abandoned (1994) and Uneasy Neighbo(u)rs with David Jones (2007).
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contributor, Christians in the Public Square (1996)
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contributor, La Mission au Rwanda, Editions Liber, Montreal (1997)
Awards
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Special Award, Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Alberta Provincial Council
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Masaryk Award, Czechoslovak Association of Canada
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Human Rights Award, B'Nai Brith Canada
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Katipuman Award, Council of Edmonton Filipino Associations
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Outstanding Service Award, Edmonton Sikh
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Community Religious Liberty Award, International Religious Liberty Association, Liberty Magazine and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Quick Link
for your convenience!
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Proceedings began with a speech by Martha Jean Baker who spoke from her position as a member of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Mrs Baker said, “What happened on the afternoon of 28 July to unarmed men and women in the confines of a refugee camp was nothing short of a crime against humanity”. She further called on the US and UK governments alongside the UN to intervene immediately to prevent further such criminal acts.
On their return to the US embassy, Lady Slynn, wife of the late Lord Slynn of Hadley whose efforts guaranteed the ‘protected persons’ status of the Camp Ashraf residents, addressed the crowd. In a message to the US and UK authorities Lady Slynn stated, “Is this why you went to war in Iraq? To bring to power a dictatorial regime that gets its orders from the mullahs in Iran.”
Mr John Cowan, Labour parliamentary candidate for southeast Cambridgeshire, reiterated the demands of the demonstrators in stating that, “The United Nations must set up an immediate and full-time presence within Camp Ashraf to guarantee the safety of the unarmed residents.”
Nationwide uprising – Statement 158
NCRI – The Social Headquarters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) inside the country has announced the names and details of another 4 detainees of the recent nationwide uprising.
NCRI - Families of the detainees gathered in front of Evin Prison and Judiciary offices of the mullahs’ regime on Saturday and demanded their children be released.
Nationwide uprising – Statement 155
Nationwide uprising – Statement 154
