Churchmen and women
Since the fatal attacks on Ashraf in 2009 and 2011, and on Camp Liberty in February and June 2013, more and more church people of many denominations started calling for a humanitarian solution to the inhumane and wholly preventable situation of the PMOI members in Iraq.
The murderous attack on Ashraf on 1 September 2013 where 52 of the 101 remaining there to dispose of their assets were slaughtered and 6 women and 1 man taken hostage has made them even more vociferous as has the further fatal attack to Camp Liberty on Boxing Day, 26 December, when another 3 were killed and over 70 injured. There is no excuse for allowing this behaviour to continue.
Alan Harper - Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and
Dr Barry Morgan - The Archbishop of Wales
Letter of 28 January 2012, signed by Dr. Morgan, Alan Harper and 15 other bishops, to Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees to take action to prevent more killing in Ashraf.
Statement of 17 May 2012 signed by Dr. Morgan, Alan Harper and 13 other Bishops and clergy condemning the trip to Iran by Martin Kobler, the UN Secretary General’s Speical Representative to Iraq, and his discussing the fate of the residents of Ashraf and Liberty with the Iranian oppressors.
Letter of 17 July 2012, to His Excellency Ban ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General, signed by Alan Harper and a number of other bishops and clergy across the UK, expressing deepening concern for the welfare of the residents of Ashraf/Camp Liberty
Public statement of 28 September 2012, signed by Dr. Morgan, Alan Harper and 22 other Bishops and clergy calling on the UN to recognise Camp Liberty a a refugee camp under its protection
Letter of 6th March 2013, signed by Doctor Morgan and 22 other senior churchmen, calling on the UK government to condemn the 9 February fatal attack on Camp Liberty and take matters to the UN Security Council to guarantee protection for the residents.
Reverend Ingrid Munro - Diocese of Derby
Speaking on behalf of many other bishops and clergy
Iranian Women: The force for Democratic Change in Iran - Committee room, Houses of Parliament, London 5th March 2013
The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu - Archbishop emeritus of Cape Town (retired ) and social rights activist
Christina Rees – member of the general Synod of the Church of England and Chair of WATCH (Women and the Church)
Conference on deficiencies of Camp Liberty despite UN approval, London – 25th February 2012
