Hendon Times
By Natalie O’Neill
Dr Matthew Offord addressed a rally organised by Anglo-Iranians from Barnet who are appealing for the release of seven hostages abducted from Camp Ashraf by the Iraqi army last month.
The hostages, including six women, were taken on September 1, when 52 people were also killed in Camp Ashraf – the temporary base for members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), the principal Iranian opposition movement.
Addressing a 500-strong crowd at Trafalgar Square yesterday, Dr Offord, said: “The UK, EU and all European States ought to seriously downgrade diplomatic and economic ties with the government of Iraq until it releases the seven Ashraf hostages and allows security to be upgraded at Camp Liberty, through the return of T-Walls, protective gear, medical facilities and the construction of double-layer roofs for each of the living quarters in the camp.
“It is time for the West to get tough with Iran’s fundamentalist and terrorist regime.”
The hostages are being kept in an Iraqi prison where they are on hunger strike.
To show their support, Anglo-Iranian’s from Barnet also went on hunger strike on September 1.
Despite being weak from lack of food, many of them who have loved ones in Camp Ashraf, turned out to yesterday’s rally.
Some protesters also took part in street theatre wearing prison uniforms to depict atrocities in Iranian prisons.
There was also a petition for people to sign and photographs of all 52 people who lost their lives in the mass execution in September.
Laila Jazayeri, director of the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK, said: “Iranian regime wants the hostages extradited back to Iran. If this happens they face torture and execution.
“We call on our government here to intervene to save the lives of these innocent women.
“The Government should stop all financial deals with Iraqi government until these hostages are released and the residents of Liberty are properly protected and the perpetrators of September 1 massacre are brought to justice.”
