Times Series: Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer visited members of Barnet’s Anglo-Iranian community as they took part in a hunger strike outside the US Embassy. The Conservative politician spent time speaking to the protestors.
Times Series
By Anna Slater
Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer visited members of Barnet’s Anglo-Iranian community as they took part in a hunger strike outside the US Embassy.
The Conservative politician spent time speaking to the protestors – who set up a 24 hour vigil outside the Grosvenor Square embassy on Sunday, September 1.
Around 100 people went to the embassy after news 52 people were killed in Camp Ashraf, the temporary base for members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), the principal Iranian opposition movement.
The PMOI, which protests against Iran’s clerical regime, has accused Iraqi troops of carrying out the assault and taking seven of its members hostage, including six women.
Many have gone on hunger strike to encourage the US and UK governments to take action and put pressure on the Iraqi government to stop further attacks.
Hunger striker Fatima said: “I am delighted to see that my MP is concerned about the problems of his constituents and is doing all he can for the release of Camp Ashraf hostages.”
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said: “I am appalled to hear of the violence at Camp Ashraf in Iraq, which we understand has resulted in the death of many camp residents. We condemn this utterly and our thoughts go out to the families of the victims.
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“Our embassy in Baghdad is in close contact with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq, who are making an urgent assessment of the situation. We support their work and call on the Government of Iraq to assist the UN fully.
“The Government of Iraq must also do everything necessary to ensure the safety of the residents and care for survivors, and must conduct an urgent and transparent investigation into what took place, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
