Iraqi lawyer calls MKO illegal organization - IRNA

IRNA
October 10, 2006

Baghdad, Oct 10, IRNA - An eminent Iraqi lawyer here on Tuesday said that existence of Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) in Iraq is unlawful.

Tariq Harb, head of the 'Population of Disseminating Law Culture in Iraq', told the Baghdad-based weekly of Al-Shahed that according to the domestic, international and foreign non-governmental laws, existence of MKO in Iraq is illegal.

"According to the laws of Iraqi non-governmental organizations and the Iranian group's nature, the MKO has never been enlisted as foreign non-governmental organizations operating in the country."

He added, therefore, the Mujahedin Khalq Organization has no lawful credibility and is not allowed to operate in Iraq.

In accordance with articles 7 and 8 of the Iraqi Constitution, the country has ordered a ban on terrorist groups and those who conduct hostile actions against neighboring countries, he noted.

International bodies have listed MKO as a terrorist organization, he said, adding that Iraq, with respect to its constitution, is abiding by commitments in cooperation with the United Nations and the Security Council in this respect.

Pointing to article 8 of the constitution, the Iraqi lawyer stated that Iraq has vowed to abide by international resolutions issued by UN Security Council.

Article 8 of the Iraqi constitution reads that Iraq observes the principle of good neighborliness, and it should reject organizations conducting military or political operations against adjacent countries, he stipulated.

According to the lawyer, article 7 of the Iraqi constitution underlines a ban on provocative operations from every foundation which is committed to or paves the way and or promotes terrorist activities against neighboring countries.

Harb added that MKO has committed massacre of Iraqi people in 1991 in cooperation with Baath Regime, stipulating that nobody has forgotten the organization's role in suppressing the people of Khaneqein and Jalula.

He called MKO a terrorist group which is linked to Saddam Hossein's regime, stressing that their operations should be cut down in Iraq.

The weekly Al-Shahid added that the former government council ratified an regulation in January 9, 2003 to expel the terrorist organization from Iraq, and Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki recently underlined that Iraqi government is planning to expel them soon.

Al-Shahed noted that the Mujahedin Khalq Organization has 4000 members who are located in a camp called 'Ashraf' in Al-Azim district, Dayala province.