Williams calls on US and Iraq to protect Iranian exiles

"The continuing situation in Camp Ashraf, together with the fact that the 36 people taken from the camp in July have not been released, constitutes a humanitarian and human rights issue of real magnitude and urgency," stated Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, referring to the refugee camp in the Diyala province northeast of Baghdad.

"There is a strong argument in terms of international law that the Ashraf residents are 'protected persons',” he added.

Until last January, the camp’s 3,500 residents – part of the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran (PMOI) dissident group – were under the protection of the US military.

Six months after the Ashraf was handed over to the Iraqi government, however, Iraqi forces launched a raid on the camp that resulted in the deaths of 11 people and the seizure of 36.

Since the clash, some Ashraf residents have been on hunger strike, demanding that the 36 captives be freed and the Iraqi forces who took control of the camp to leave.

Dr Williams, who met a group of Ashraf supporters last week, urged the hunger strikers to end their protest, stating that further loss of life would only compound recent tragic events.

"I hope that all concerned will listen to what those across the world who are deeply anxious about these human rights violations are saying, and respond as a matter of urgency," he added.

Following the July clashes, US officials have maintained that the camp’s situation is a matter for Baghdad since it took control of its own security matters. US ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill did, however, vow earlier this month to press the Iraqi government to live up to assurances to treat the residents humanely and make sure they are not repatriated to Iran.

Some members of the US Congress have criticised President Obama's administration for ignoring the situation in Ashraf and giving an inadequate response to the July clashes.