The 9th day of the Iraqi's strike: Protest on the blockade, and a demand for an investigation

The Iraqi refugees who're demonstrating in an open sit-in for the 9th day, which changed to a hunger strike 2 days before in the garage of the UNHCR office in Almatihaff, demanded to refer the director of the office for investigation, that was in a letter addressed to the UN office, to all of the organizations and to whoever cares about human rights.

They consider that the director to the office (UNHCR) Mr. Mustapha Djemali <<is responsible for all situations that has happened to them within the office>>, even though they assured many times that the strike is peaceful as the letter stated, << but had put security forces, around the building where the offices reside, to prevent going in and out for the sake of the need to relieve ones self, since there are no washrooms for use for the people in need and to check any one approach the yard of the office and prevent him from contacting us, even for the red cross had been prevented from coming to us. And since we seek refuge in the office of UNHCR because we thought that it's the last place where possible to violate the human rights, but all the violations that happing was under instructions and supervision the director of the office..>>

The refugees telling that they needed an Iraqi doctor who came according to their demand to check the hunger strikers waiting out side, at the entrance of the iron gate and he wasn't able to go in, because the security forces prevented him, also, prevented the red cross, which came later on, from give the serums, and told them [the refugees] who wants this service [treatment with serum] must go out!! That's what the strikers hadn't chose, because who will go out will never join the strikers again anyhow, according to the orders of the security forces, that the strikers are speaking about these forces <<working with the orders of the director of (UNHCR)>>. 13*

Also the Red Cross refused to transport the strikers to any place unless they already provide the money to enter the hospital 14*, or they must have written permission to enter one of the 2 hospitals that's ready to accept the refugees, whereas the UNHCR office stated, that it's not able to write permission forms because it's working hours had come to an end, as with the same time as  council of churches whom charged of processing these cases (in spite of the continuance the work in the office out of usual hours during the days of the strike).

Yesterday was the hardest day of their strike days, all visitors had been prevented from passing near the office, or even to rest in the small coffee shop in front of the place of the strike [UNHCR], they lived in complete isolation from the world. << We will not retreat, at the beginning it was possible that we could stop the strike, but the provocations of the director proved for us that we don't have a protector [helper] in side the office [of UNHCR in Beirut] and we should fight to the very end with the strike even if we die>>. The newest thing in this supportive declarations was a statement signed by <<the Iraqis in Lebanon and the association of the international Iraqi friendship>> demanding to grant the refugees' needs.