The United Nations on Wednesday launched a trust fund initiative to help relocate residents of an Iranian exile camp near Iraq's capital Baghdad.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged UN member states to contribute to the fund to cover relocation costs of some 3,000 people now living at Camp Hurriya, according to a statement.

Ban is committed to resolving the situation faced by the former residents of Camp Ashraf -- now residents of Camp Hurriya (Liberty) -- "in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian standards," said the statement.

Camp Hurriya has served as a transit facility for 3,174 people, most of them members of the People's Mujahideen Organization of Iran (PMOI).

In late 2011, the Iraqi government and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq struck a deal to move Camp Ashraf residents in Diyala province to Baghdad temporarily until the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) gets the refugees resettled in a third country.

Over the past years, Camp Ashraf has been attacked several times. On Sept. 1, a raid to the camp killed 52 residents. PMOI claimed that the attack was launched by the Iraqi government.

"Energies should be focused urgently now on the relocation of the residents of Camp Hurriya to safe and secure locations outside of Iraq," Ban said in the statement, stressing that "this is the only durable and sustainable solution."

Ban welcomed the offers of member states that have enabled 240 out of the 3,174 people to settle outside Iraq, noting "it is essential to pick up the pace of the relocation."

Meanwhile, Ban also urged the Iraqi government to ensure the safety and security of the residents during their stay in Camp Hurriya.

The PMOI is an Islamic movement founded in 1965 in opposition to the shah of Iran. The group fled to Iraq in 1986, and got permission from Iran's foe Saddam Hussein to set up Camp Ashraf near the Iranian border.

After the PMOI fighters were disarmed following the U.S.-led invasion in Iraq, the camp remained under the protection of the U. S. military police for five years before the Iraqi government took over the security responsibility in the camp. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)