Written question asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Monday, 19 December 2011.

Iraq: Camp Ashraf

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they have given to Jean de Ruyt, the United Nations Ambassador appointed to oversee the situation in Camp Ashraf in Iraq; whether he has been given access to the camp by the government of Iraq; and, if not, whether they will support a United Nations ultimatum on the safeguarding of unarmed civilians in Camp Ashraf.

Answer: Ambassador de Ruyt was appointed by the European Union (EU) High Representative, Baroness Ashton, to advise her on Camp Ashraf. He has no United Nations (UN) role. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) met Ambassador de Ruyt on 27 October to discuss Camp Ashraf. Ambassador de Ruyt recently briefed EU member states in Brussels on his activities but we are not aware of any plan to visit Camp Ashraf. The UN remains engaged in efforts to encourage a solution to the situation at Camp Ashraf. We continue to support efforts by the UN and international partners to encourage the Government of Iraq and the leadership of Camp Ashraf to engage in a meaningful and peaceful negotiation to resolve the future of the residents of Camp Ashraf. We continue to urge the Government of Iraq to show flexibility over their deadline to close the camp by the end of the year and to respect the human rights of the camp's residents.

Secondary information