Obama signs act urging protection of Iranian dissidents in Camp Liberty

Congress calls on US Government to probe use of American weapons and training in killing of members of Iranian opposition, PMOI (MEK). in Iraq

An act approved by the United States Congress and Senate calling for the protection and security of the residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq has been signed by President Barack Obama.

The government spending bill signed into law on December 16 calls on the US government to demand congressional committee reports detailing the steps taken to address the plight of and resettlement needs of Iranian dissidents at Camp Liberty.

It states: "Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other relevant United States Government agencies, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees detailing steps taken by the United States Government to address the plight, including resettlement needs, of Iranian dissidents located at Camp Liberty/Hurriya in Iraq."

A supplementary report to Budget Act adds: "The Committee directs the Secretary of State to include in the report on the resettlement plan for Iranian dissidents required by section 7041(c)(6) of this act: a description of measures taken to improve the security and welfare (including quality of life and access to medical care) of residents at Camp Liberty.

"An analysis of attacks against such dissidents since February 2009, including whether any weapons or training provided by the United States were used in the attacks, and safeguards to ensure that no such weapons or training are used in the future.

"And options for the resettlement of Iranian dissidents outside Iraq, including in the United States."

Based on legislative procedure the budget bill is reviewed by appropriations committees in the House and the Senate. Subsequent to approval at both chambers, it will be adjusted in the conference committee before being presented to the president for signing it into law.

This is the first time that an Act signed by the U.S. President explicitly supports protection of Camp Liberty residents that include members of the Iranian opposition the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).

The approval represents a very long path from the 1997 terrorist labeling of the PMOI to 2014 approval of a bill in support of the Camp Liberty residents. The Iranian Resistance has been able to make headways despite all of conspiracies and silence and turn the support for Liberty to a law in the U.S.

The legislation is a warning to the U.S. government to uphold its responsibilities regarding the residents of Camp Liberty and increase pressure on the Government of Iraq to respect the rights of the camp’s residents.

The legislation is also a warning to the Government of Iraq that should reduce the violation of the rights of the PMOI members in Camp Liberty and to end jeopardizing their security, particularly at a time when the current government of Iraq is more reliant to U.S. and E.U. than Nouri al-Maliki.
This legislation also illuminates the status of the Iranian Resistance and their supporters in the United States and Europe and their impact.

Three factors contributed to this achievement: The perseverance and steadfastness of the PMOI members in Ashraf and Liberty in the past few years, unrelenting endeavors of members and supporters of the resistance in the US ,and concerted bipartisan efforts of the US senators and congressmen, political dignitaries, and former senior officials of the Obama, Bush, Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Regan administrations in support of Iranian Resistance and residents of Camp Liberty.