Texas Religious and Civic Leaders Condemn Iran's Rights Violations and Meddling in Iraq, Support Rights of Camp Ashraf Residents

Texas Religious and Civic Leaders Condemn Iran's Rights Violations and Meddling in Iraq, Support Rights of Camp Ashraf Residents
November 2, 2006

HOUSTON, Nov. 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- As Iran's ruling regime intensifies its nefarious campaign to thwart efforts for a unified, democratic and stable Iraq, nearly sixty religious and civic leaders in Texas endorsed a declaration to condemn Tehran's meddling in Iraq and the mounting human rights violations in Iran. They also supported rights of Iranians opposition group living in Camp Ashraf, Iraq.

1. In light of the rising suppression of Iranians since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency, the declaration calls for "Immediate investigation of the situation of human rights in Iran particularly the rights of religious minorities and women."

2. Tehran's secret drive for nuclear weapons is the flip side of its squashing of Iranians' human rights at home, meddling in Iraq and sponsorship of terrorism. The declaration calls for "Decisiveness on the part of the world community against the Iranian terrorist regime's nuclear projects and meddling in Iraq, and the Middle East."

3. In Iraq, Tehran is pursuing a multi-pronged agenda aimed at fulfilling Khomeini's dream of an Iranian-style Islamic Government in Iraq. On one hand, Tehran inflames the sectarian conflict and, on the other; it targets prominent anti- fundamentalist Iraqi figures and conspires for the expulsion of thousands of Iranian dissidents in Camp Ashraf.

Recognizing the strategic importance of Camp Ashraf as a vital counterbalance against Iran, according to U.S. Congressional Record, nearly 5.2 million Iraqi Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds of different political affiliations have signed a declaration supporting the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran's continued stay in Iraq.

They stressed that only party which would benefit from the expulsion of Ashraf residents is Iran's ruling tyranny. These dissidents have provided help and information to the Iraqi people and the Multi-National Force -- Iraq, revealing the aims and extent of Iran's meddling and ways to block it.

Recognizing the evil nature of Tehran's scheme, nearly sixty Ministers, Pastors, Rabbis, and civic leader in Texas call for "Iraqi government's full commitment and respect of international conventions including the reaffirmation of the rights of Ashraf residents to political asylum in Iraq; Protection and respect for the rights of these political refugees under the Fourth Geneva Convention by the Multi-National Force -- Iraq (MNF-I), International Committee of the Red Cross, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Human Rights Council and UN Secretary General."