Iran’s intelligence ministry has dispatched its agents under the cover of relatives of Ashraf residents to the camp to cause psychological pressure on the top of physical pressures caused by the siege on the camp and preventing normal flow of food, medicine and fuel to Ashraf.

Such psychological pressures on the residents and their relatives were greatly intensified when the Iraqi government brought journalists outside the camp to interview the Iranian intelligence agents in a bid to misrepresent the circumstances of the denial of visitation rights.

Since U.S. forces handed over security of Ashraf to the Iraqis in January 2009, a draconian siege has been imposed on the residents, with Iraqi forces preventing the residents’ relatives, lawyers, journalists and doctors from visiting and fuel, food and medicine from reaching those inside. These measures, in breach of international law and the Geneva Conventions, take place at Iran’s behest.

Last July, armed Iraqi forces stormed the camp, killing 11 and injuring 500.

The spectacle outside Ashraf comes as al-Maliki faces mounting international criticism for his role in barring his secular opponents from standing in the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

We urge the US and UN authorities in Iraq to take urgent measures to guarantee the security of Ashraf residents and safeguard their human rights.

We gather in front of Iraqi embassy to condemn al-Maliki's collaboration with Iran in its attempt to suppress Ashraf and to call on Iraq to lift its unlawful ban on visitors and basic commodities such as food, fuel and medicine entering the camp.

Iraqi Embassy, 3 Elvaston Place, London SW7 5QH

Nearest Tube Station: Gloucester Road