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Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 21 May 2013, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 June 2013. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Monday, 10 June 2013 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iraq: Iran

Question

(2) with reference to the answer of 24 April 2013, Official Report, column 933W, on Iraq, what assessment officials of the British embassy in Iraq made of (a) Camp Ashraf and (b) Camp Liberty after their visits in September 2012; and whether further such visits have been planned;

[157308]

Sir Menzies Campbell:

Answer

The Memorandum of Understanding which the Government of Iraq agreed with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq in December 2011 allowed only for the voluntary relocation of residents from Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty. We have seen no evidence that residents were forced to relocate to Camp Liberty, and have therefore made no representations to the US or UN about such allegations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is responsible for the process of resettlement of residents to third countries. We are considering, on an exceptional and case by case basis, the readmission of 52 residents who have had previous residence in the UK as refugees.

The UN is responsible for monitoring conditions at Camps Ashraf and Liberty. British embassy officials therefore would not make an independent assessment, though we continue to raise issues with the UN and Government of Iraq when appropriate. We do not currently have plans to visit the camps again, given the UN's role. I raised my concerns about the 9 February 2013 attack on Camp Liberty and discussed residents' access to medical care with the Iraqi Foreign Minister when we met in February.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
157308; 564 c84W
Session
2013-14
Related items
Iraq
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Iraq Refugees Iran
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk