To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Iraq on the treatment of those living in Camp Ashraf. (292431)

Our ambassador in Iraq met with the Iraqi Human Rights Minister on 6 October 2009 to discuss the situation at Camp Ashraf and the latest developments surrounding the 36 camp residents who were arrested on 28 July 2009. Our ambassador has also raised the issue with the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office and the Minister of Internal Affairs.

We remain in close contact with the US, UN and EU, who regularly discuss the issues around the camp with the Iraqi authorities. Also, our UK Representative to the UN in Geneva has also discussed the situation with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Officials from our embassy in Baghdad visited the camp on Saturday 26 September 2009. They confirmed that Iraqi police and Iraqi Security Forces were present inside the camp, and were co-operating peacefully with the residents.