Speech of Maryam Rajavi – UN Geneva
We can also find this famous sentence in the United Nations charter that “we the peoples of the United Nations determined to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women.”
The human ideals which form the core of all international conventions on human rights is the goal for which we have decided to pay the price and today I have come here to call on UN to uphold its obligations regarding these values.
In recent months, at the same time of claim of moderation by Rouhani, the number of execution has reached a new record in the past twenty five years.
Since the beginning of this year at least 176 executions have been declared.
At least three of the victims were under-age when they were arrested.
However, on 4th of March a high ranking official of the regime’s judiciary, Jawad Larijani said that: “the world must praise Iran for increasing number of execution.”
Since Rouhani took office, 40 to 50 journalists have been arrested.
More restrictions have been imposed on internet users.
The internet restrictions are decided by a 13 man committee six of whom are Rouhani’s Ministers.
Suppression of women under the pretext of mal-veiling and extensive discrimination against them continues.
In such circumstances, is there any justification for silence and inaction by the international community?
It is a huge mistake to assume that keeping silent and lack of action on Iranian human rights situation can facilitate a deal on the nuclear issue.
I warn that no one should sacrifice human rights, freedom and Iranian people’s resistance for continuing nuclear negotiation with the mullahs.
Ladies and Gentlemen
An urgent case of serious and systematic violation of human rights is the condition imposed on the PMOI members in Liberty prison by the dictatorships in Iran and Iraq.
The mullahs’ regime engulfed in crisis and in fear of being overthrow has focused all its efforts to eliminate its main opposition.
On September 1st, through their proxy government in Iraq, the mullahs massacred 52 members of the PMOI in Camp Ashraf.
Both before and after the massacre on numerous occasions we warned about Iranian regime’s plan for more killing.
Unfortunately, these repeated warnings have been ignored.
On December 26, Liberty prison was attacked by missile for the fourth time in 2013.
Four people were killed and dozens injured.
What is happening there is planned massacre.
On one hand Maliki’s government is launching missile attacks on Liberty and on the other hand the Iranian regime is doing all in its power to prevent the relocation of the residents outside Iraq.
Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”.
So, why is the UN silent on the systematic violations of the rights of the residents in Liberty to life?
In the meantime, harassment, intimidation and provocations of agents affiliated to the office of Iraqi Prime Minister have intensified.
They are obstructing re-installment of T-walls inside Camp Liberty.
-They do not allow shelters purchased by the residents to enter the camp,
They restrict access to hospitals for patients and prevent their interpreters to accompany them,
They secretly buried bodies of those fallen-victim during September 1st massacre in camp Ashraf,
And they are preparing grounds for clashes.
All these harassments/ suppressions and restrictions has been daily reported by Liberty residents to the United Nations.
Then why don’t UN monitors mention these inhuman daily pressures, in their reports? and why they even give false reports that would pave the way for further massacres?
Why does the United Nation discredit itself with this immoral silence?
In order to prevent another humanitarian disaster, I appeal the United States/ European Union/ and the United Nations to refer this case to the UN Security Council to act on the following issues:
– Release of seven hostages,
– Relocation of all the residents to EU member countries or the United States,
– Provide basic security requirements for residents in camp Liberty against rocket attacks including, re-installation of protective walls and stationing of UN observers accompanied by a team of blue helmets inside Liberty,
– We demand US and UN intervention to immediately lift the food and medical blockade.
US and UN have obligation to ensure free access of residents to food and medicine.
And selling properties by legal representative of the residents to cover the cost of resettlement.
Regarding this ongoing tragedy in camp Liberty, unfortunately the UN and in particular Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have done nothing to stop it.
Have they forgotten their responsibility?
Or do they not want to upset the mullahs’ puppet government in Iraq?
The fact is that a practical and effective solution is available.
It is an independent and transparent investigation.
Had the OHCHR investigated the previous killings and brought those responsible to justice the September massacre would not have happened.
Had it investigated the September massacre, Maliki’s Government would not have been able to hide his bloody hands and even blame the residents for the crimes.
After the April 2011 killings, Madam Pillay called for a “comprehensive, independent and transparent” investigation.
She even said: “all those responsible for excessive use of force must be prosecuted”.
Why didn’t UN carry-out any investigation about three massacres at Ashraf
and four missile attacks on Liberty?
Let me be clear, by refusing to do an independent investigation, you are giving a green light to dictators in Iran and Iraq for more killings.
Once again/ I thank the organizers of this meeting, the France Liberte Foundation, MERAP, International Educational Development, International Association for Women’s Human Rights and International radical Party.
I also call on the representatives of NGOs and ambassadors in this room and others to do their best to encourage the UN and other relevant world bodies to take action for safety and protection of the residents in Liberty.
I thank you all
