Iran: Mothers demand prosecution of perpetrators of 1988 massacre

mothers in Khavaran

Activist mothers, known as Mothers of Laleh Park, and relatives of political prisoners, issued a statement on September 11, 2016, calling for prosecution of perpetrators of 1988 massacre.

NCRI - In their statement, these mothers said "the killings of group after groups of political prisoners in summer 1988 (was) a political massacre" whose victims "were tried unfairly in closed-door courts and sentenced to execution without their families knowing."

They cited the constitution of the International Criminal Court in Nuremberg and described the massacre of political prisoners in 1988 as "a crime against humanity" and a "genocide."

The mothers added, "The Islamic Republic regime remained silent for the past 28 years to protect its secrets against being unravelled. However, the mothers (of Laleh Park) and families of Khavaran (cemetery embracing victims of the 1988 massacre) as well as other activists have endeavored in different forms over these years in Iran and abroad to demand justice for the victims, confront this silence, and compel the regime to be held accountable."

Mothers of Laleh Park in their statement demanded details of the summary trials and the mechanism of issuing the death verdicts, places of burial, and the last wills of the victims. They declared, "We demand justice against all the regime's officials who were involved in the crimes of the 1980s and particularly the massacre of political prisoners in 1988. We want removal from power, prosecution and punishment of all the criminals who hold the highest judicial and executive authorities today."

Source

The facts:

• More than 30,000 political prisoners were massacred in Iran in the summer of 1988. 
•  The massacre was carried out on the basis of a fatwa by Khomeini.
• The vast majority of the victims were activists of the opposition PMOI (MEK).
• A Death Committee approved all the death sentences.
• Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi, a member of the Death Committee, is today Hassan Rouhani’s Justice Minister. The perpetrators of the 1988 massacre have never been brought to justice.
•  On August 9, 2016, an audio tape was published for the first time of Khomeini’s former heir acknowledging that that massacre took place and had been ordered at the highest levels.

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Mek- State Dept. Vs Rule Of Law

The FTO-List Analysis: US State Department Appeasing The Mullahs By: Soharb safavi If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve the Union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. Thomas Jefferson Christopher Hitchens once said: A sure sign of ineptitude and malice is manifested when one's attacker is willing to cover himself with mud in order to try and make some of it adhere to his target. We have been witnessing the same repellant tactics in a smear campaign against MEK- US official supporters only to provide cover for the failed Policy of the US State department towards the Iranian crisis. The core argument behind the current smear campaign against the MEK and its US supporters is that this main Iranian opposition group to the clerical tyrants in Iran is still in the US black list. The term “terrorism” can be double standard unless defined by rule and established by the rule of law. It is to distinguish any group or persons that choose to challenge an establishment: “A person, usually a member of a group, uses or advocates terrorism, or;A person who terrorizes or frightens civilians. A popular saying that “One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter” simply indicates the struggle between good and evil and right and wrong. But the moral question remains, literally speaking: who are the terrorists, and who are the freedom fighters? The list of "Foreign Terrorist Organization" is a designation for non-United States-based organizations declared terrorist by the United States Secretary of State in accordance with section 219 of the U.S.Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). read more at : http://bit.ly/HJ1Xpz

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Framing The Core Issue: MEK Court Appeal Against US State Department

By Sadegh Sistani, on March 27th, 2012 Foreign Policy is putting out cheap journalism by Josh Rogin demonizing the Iranian opposition. Josh Rogins’ mystery series in Foreign Policy, with a recent one titled “Terrorist group's supporters throw party in U.S. Congress |”repeat the Iranian regime’s stale allegations against the main organized opposition group People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) and do a disservice to the Foreign Policy’s record of unbiased journalism. They are part of an effort by Iran’s intelligence ministry to demonize the supporters of the Iranian resistance. Some 22 courts in the UK, Europe and the US have ruled that the MEK is not involved in terrorism; furthermore, the European Union de-proscribed the group in 2009 after the courts rejected the very allegations that the articles have yet again brought up. The piece represents a desperate, albeit futile attempt to block, in contravention of the Rule of law and the statutory requirements, the removal of the MEK from the State Department’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO). Rogins’ shedding of crocodile tears for Justice over crime, appears disingenuous given the absence of a mere criticism, let alone condemnation, of the Ayatollahs vicious collective hangings ongoing and the last two blood lead attacks on the victims of an “inhumane massacre in Camp Ashraf.” As far as his concern for complications provided for US MEK supporters in “providing material” support is concerned, Mr. Rogin does not have a clue what these “material” supports are in the legal context and conceals his ignorance by assuming it may include “advocacy”. In a previous reply to similar salivated suggestions Former Trustee of President Bush and High judge Michael Mukasey had this to add: Suggestions that our conduct raises a question under the material-support statute is undone by the text of the law itself. The statute barring material assistance to organizations on the State Department’s list of foreign terrorist organizations (“FTO”) says that although “material assistance” includes “personnel,” and although “personnel” may include the person providing the assistance — here, the four of us — the “personnel” have to be working “under that [FTO’s] direction or control.” And then, just to make explicit what is already obvious, the law continues: “Individuals who act entirely independently of the [FTO] to advance its goals or objectives shall not be considered to be working under the [FTO]’s direction and control.” As a result, we felt quite secure, thank you, in relying on the protection Congress placed in the statute, backed up by the First Amendment. As far as Rogins mystery series are concerned “Things are not what they appear to be”. This hypothesis mediated by Mr. Rogin is to lure readers into anti-MEK sentiments. Thereafter; the wave of sentiments and the “much ado about nothing” would cleverly cover US – UNAMI dogged obligations in face of any humanitarian tragedy for the 3400 of Camp Ashraf. It would be a far more “crime” to accomplice readers into a “Crime against Humanity” and “sin” than any alleged financial controversy. The main issue which is being submerged under this entire anti-MEK blitz is that the Washington appeals court on Monday gave the US government until March 26 to examine quickly a request by the main Iranian opposition group to be taken off a US terror blacklist, which is causing immediate threat and deaths to their families and members. In a conference recently Governor Tom Ridge had this to say: “You will not silence us. Whoever is responsible has a moment of quiet reflection, I suggest that they just take a look at the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and particularly take a look at that first amendment. It’s called freedom of speech, the same freedom of speech that the men and women of MEK aspire to under the leadership of Mrs. Rajavi, the same freedom of speech that democratic opposition throughout Iran aspire to. at the end of the day we will continue to stand on the right side of history with the people of MEK, the freedom-loving people of MEK at Liberty and Ashraf until they are resettled. Mayor Rudi Giuliani reacted to the hsosh posh of the “treasurey” hunt : “Speaking for myself and so many of my colleagues, that anonymous, cowardly sources in the State Department or elsewhere who unknowingly are doing the bidding of the mullahs don’t frighten me, won’t stop me, won’t stop any of us, ever.” Former High Judge Michael Mukasey also commented on the “anonymous” comments recently used in mysterious press campaigns: “It’s a funny thing about anonymous sources, what are they afraid of? They must be afraid of something. They’re afraid to have their names used. Look at the timing. The MEK tells the State Department and the Justice Department, “You know, you’ve been dragging your feet long enough with this designation. We’re going to go into court.” They gave them not only advanced notice that they’re going to do it, they gave them an advanced copy of the papers they were going to file. And they disclosed the names of the people. Mayor Giuliani, Tom Ridge, others, many others, who would have also filed paper in court as friends of the court, telling them on the basis of our experience and our knowledge—many people on that brief directly involved in national security affairs—that there is no basis, no reason for that designation. They were told that in advance. And lo and behold a couple days later subpoenas get served on the speaker agencies that send those people out to express their views.” To be used or allowed to mislead the public into bogus issues in order to cover the main highlight is unethical and unprincipled modus operandi by Foreign Policy, which boasts of “FP's award-winnings” only, serves to pave the way for another massacre of the residents in satisfaction of the Iranian clerical fascists. Annotations: Sin : http://news.yahoo.com/bipartisan-political-leaders-urge-removal-mek-terrorist-list-043208692.html Washington Appeal Court : http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jst73NnEgd_19BuKsuM85Ag1OBYg Michael Mukasey: http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/256689/mek-not-terrorist-group-michael-b-mukasey-tom-ridge-and-frances-fragos-townsend Gov.Tom Ridge: http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/ashraf/11831-governor-tom-ridge-we-cant-be-silenced- Mayor Giuliani : http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/ashraf/11830-mayor-rudi-giuliani-anonymous-cowardly-sources-who-unknowingly-are-doing-the-bidding-of-the-mullahs-dont-frighten-me-

Read full history - Framing The Core Issue: MEK Court Appeal Against US State Department

Apologies to US Supporters of MEK: Never Support Democracy

Monday, 19 March 2012, 2:45 pm Article: Steffen Hues Apologies to US Supporters of MEK: Never Support Democracy and Freedom Side with Mullahs and Tyrants for Immunity in US Elections by Steffen Hues March 15, 2012 What could be the reason for Nazi style defamation against certain line of US politicians who have spoken for basic American values: Democracy and Independence? They are either driven by expedient actions guided primarily by self-interested motives for election or misguided policy steered from Tehran. President Obama’s campaign mottos included “Organize for change and "Help me take back America". These embrace values embedded in the American Revolution for independence and democracy from British “Illegitimate tyranny” during the 17 century. If “change” and “American values” are still watchwords of the Administration, then it is unequivocal to presume any person “friend or foe” advocating and paying the price to promote them is a staunch. read more

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MEK- Liberty :Council of Europe Condemns Camp Prison

The Council of Europe has issued a statement on the lack of lack of humanitarian and human rights standards in Camp Liberty and has urged the Iraqi government to implement the minimum guarantees demanded by the residents, including the removal of all armed units from the interior of the Camp. The text of the statement reads:

•          [15/03/2012]  PACE’s Political Affairs Committee has repeated its call to the Iraqi authorities to stop turning Camp Liberty – a site near Baghdad where around 800 members of an Iranian opposition group are now living – into a prison. In a statement adopted yesterday, the committee called for armed units and surveillance to be removed from the camp, as well as free movement for its residents and improved conditions, including access to medical services, lawyers and UN monitors. The complete text of the Council’s statement:

Following the statement made in January and owing to the fact that

unfortunately no improvement has been made, the Committee on Political Affairs

and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe calls on

the Iraqi authorities to stop turning Camp Liberty into a prison. It also calls on

the UN Secretary General to ensure the minimum guarantees required by the

camp residents.

In spite of the lack of humanitarian and human rights standards, to date, 800

Ashraf residents have been moved to Camp Liberty in order to find a peaceful

solution. But this camp is suffering from a serious shortage of drinking water and

electricity. Open sewage has made the area terribly polluted and the danger to

human health and many of the trailers are extremely badly damaged, making

them unusable. Liberty residents are not allowed to leave the camp. They have

no direct access to medical services nor to lawyers. There is a police station and

nearly 150 armed Iraqi forces equipped with machine guns in this very limited

area of half a square kilometre in which 3400 people have to live. Several

surveillance cameras and eavesdropping devices have been installed in the

camp, the output of which has been passed to the Iranian authorities to threaten

the residents and their families.

The Committee urges the Iraqi government to implement the minimum

guarantees demanded by the residents, including the removal of all armed units,

surveillance cameras and eavesdropping devices from the camp; resolving the

infrastructure problem, particularly regarding water, electricity and sewage;

providing direct access to medical services, lawyers and UN monitors; allowing

free movement or at least increasing the camp area; and providing the security

of all residents until they leave Iraq preventing the arrest of even one resident.

We call on Council of Europe member and observer states to respond positively

and rapidly to resettlement demands of Liberty and Ashraf residents.

• Increasing police stations in Liberty and bringing them closer to residential areas

In the afternoon of Monday March 12 and the morning of Tuesday March 13, Iraqi armed forces opened up a 5-meter wide section of Camp Liberty wall and stationed police forces there. These points are at 10-meter distance from living and rest area of the residents. Therefore the number of police posts have been increased to seven. This is a clear threat to the residents and paves the way for attacking the residents.

Earlier on February 27^th, residents of Ashraf and Liberty in separate letters signed by all of the residents to UN Secretary General, his Special Representative and the US Secretary of State had stated their minimum assurances for the transfer of the remaining residents from Ashraf to Liberty, the most important of which was the withdrawal of police and Iraqi armed forces from Liberty 

 

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Former U.S. Officials vs. Mullahs Apologists Over Mujahedin e Khalq

By Mahin Saremi

Tehran lobbies, and apologists have recently been hard at work to use fictitious " hypothesise", ruled out by factualists in the "real" events of Iranian uprising and its follow ups.
A round table of disillusioned pundits who try to imitate Gobble, master propagandist of the Nazi regime, forget that we live in the era of Democratic Gales, which judge mostly on "Deeds" and not "disenchanted absurd words and accusations."
I never encountered "Bassiji" pundits in suits and cravats before escaping Iran. Reading accusations and absurdities in a wave of slanders targeting Iran's main capable opposition (MEK) that has practically withstood ten-time more such follies by the mullahs, was history for me.

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Read full history - Former U.S. Officials vs. Mullahs Apologists Over Mujahedin e Khalq

Dear Hillary,I am afraid I am going to be murdered

Dear Hillary,

My name is Shaghayegh.

I am 14 and live in Camp Ashraf, Iraq.

I am afraid I am going to be murdered

My father was tortured to

death by Iranian government

in 2008 since he was a

supporter of Mujahedine-

Khalq (MEK) opposition

movement. So was my sister,

Faezeh, 20 who was killed

along with 35 others by Iraqi

forces in Camp Ashraf on

April 8.

US Congressmen were

prevented from visiting us

here in Ashraf after the

attack.

Now I await my fate in Camp

Ashraf with my mother, two

brothers and 3,400 other men

and women. The U.S. had promised

us PROTECTION! Instead, the

State Department has listed us as

terrorists, the excuse for Iraqi

government to murder us.

Save us by removing the MEK from

the State Department terrorist list.

Read full history - Dear Hillary,I am afraid I am going to be murdered