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Unionists and human rights’ supporters expressed solidarity with Iranian workers
6 March 2008
Unionists and human rights’ supporters joined forces today to call for the release of imprisoned Iranian bus workers’ union leader Mansour Osanloo and Kurdish unionist Mahmoud Salehi, both detained in Tehran on charges that relate to their struggle for trade union freedom and dignity in Iran.
As part of a worldwide campaign, a delegation from the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Amnesty International demonstrated in front of the Iranian Embassy in Brussels to demand that both Osanloo and Salehi are set free from prison. Their health conditions are deteriorating.
Osanloo is the leader of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company. Over the last years, he has devoted his life to founding a free and independent trade union for which he has been repeatedly arrested and attacked.
Last year he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, indicted for “endangering national security” and “criticizing the Iranian regime”. Under arrest in Evin Prison, it was only after international pressure that he was given critical treatment for injuries to his eyes that he sustained when attacked by government security forces in May 2005. He was denied domiciled recovery.
“We are concerned at the continued violation of trade union rights in Iran. Both these union leaders are detained when the only ‘crime’ they committed was to establish a genuine trade union. The allegation of the Iran judiciary appears to be an excuse to oppress an independent trade union movement in the country. We ask for a swift action by the Iranian government as the protest wave worldwide is becoming stronger and stronger”, said ETF Deputy General Secretary Sabine Trier.
A circle of silence with lit candles tried to get the message across. Similar solidarity actions were echoed across Europe and beyond.
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