WOMEN from the borough’s Iranian community took part in a rally in aid of Iranian refugees yesterday.

The Hendon based Association of Anglo-Iranian Women joined a protest outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Westminster calling on Foreign Secretary William Hague to help refugees living in Camp Ashraf in Iraq.

Camp Ashraf is home to over 3,000 Iranian refugees exiled from Iran for their membership of an opposition group the People’s Mujahadeen of Iran.

The association, which raises awareness about human rights violations in Iran, called for an end to what it refers to as a "two-year-long inhumane siege of Ashraf”, suppressing residents and limiting supplies.

Director of the association, Laila Jazayeri said: “There are at present 180 strong loudspeakers placed all over the camp by the Iraqi army and under direct order of Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki to torture the residents 24 hours round the clock by chanting threatening and pro Iranian regime slogans.

“Many of Barnet’s Iranians have their loved ones in Camp Ashraf and are seriously concerned about their safety and security.”