March 28, 2024

Demonstrators Call On Obama To Protect Iranian Dissidents

RTTNews 

White House Rally Calls on Obama for Protection of Iranian Dissidents in Camp Ashraf

Hundreds of protesters gathered Monday outside the White House gates ahead of a meeting here between President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The crowd called on Obama to help protect those at Camp Ashraf, home to 3,400 Iranian dissidents in Iraq.

Demonstrators said they fear that with U.S. combat forces leaving Iraq the al-Maliki government will evict the Iranian exiles from Camp Ashraf and deport them back to Iran, where they could face almost-certain death for their opposition to government leaders in the Islamic republic.

Located just 60-miles from the Iraqi border with Iran, Camp Ashraf has been the site of alleged human rights abuses. The unarmed dissidents have been attacked twice by Iraqi military forces. Nine exiles were killed in July 2009; this year, 36 were killed in April.

Dozens of members of Congress have urged Obama to use his meeting with al-Maliki to press for the protection of the dissidents.

by RTT Staff Writer

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/PoliticalNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1779501