Iranian-Kurdish teacher trade unionist Farzad Kamangar is facing the threat of imminent execution. Please add your name to the Education International protest, and ask friends and colleagues to do the same.
The leaders of Iran’s independent sugarworkers union are now in prison in the city of Dezful, serving sentences for their trade union activity. In a drive to destroy the union established last year by workers at the giant Haft Tapeh plantation/refining sugar complex, a court on October 12 sentenced 5 union leaders to immediate prison terms on charges stemming from October 2007. Three leaders convicted for their union activity last year for “endangering national security” in connection with worker action in 2008 had their sentences overturned on appeal in September. Two union officers, president Ali Nejati and communications officer Reza Rakshan, both of whom face lengthy prison sentences, were still awaiting the outcome of their appeal when the court in the city of Dezful sentenced the them on the similar 2007 charges>>>READ MORE
More than one source of information have now stated that Mohammad Lotfi, Amir Yaghoub and Behnam Ebrahim Zadeh were released from jail in early June. This would mean that the only remaining detainee from the May Day mass arrests is Mehdi Shandiz Farahani.
We Want Justice For Iranian People! Here’s a support photo from some young people in Geneva, Switzerland. For the socialist youth of Geneva (Clara)
*****
ATU, USA
This is a message of solidarity from ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) Local 1005. We cover the bus drivers and train drivers in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area also known as the Twin Cities. We support the struggles of our Union brothers and sisters in Iran who have to work underground and face extreme oppression. Your actions are a shining light to workers around the world of what can be accomplished even under extreme oppression. And with the economic crisis and the recent events that have shaken Iran we wanted to let you know that on the other side of the world we are watching and supporting you. Keep your heads up and Keep fighting! Solidarity (Ryan Timlin, ATU 1005)
Australia – University of Notre Dame
We had a small ceremony on 26 June to mark the day of action led by our university chaplain. In solidarity (Email report by Richard)
*****
Korea
The Korea Automobile Workers’ Union used their seminar on 26 June to discuss the Iranian issues. The seminar adopted a resolution in solidarity with the Iranian workers. (Email report by H K Kim) Read more…
Independent unions in Iran have reacted positively to protests for freedom in Iran that were held worldwide on 26 June, in which trade unionists and human rights activists from over forty countries took part.
Twenty-six independent unions and other Iranian workers’ organisations released a statement in conjunction with the Action Day expressing appreciation for this solidarity. Read more…
Education International, together with other Global Unions and a hundred trade unionists and human rights activists, demonstrated on 26 June in front of the Iranian Embassy in Brussels to demand justice for Iranian workers.
Speakers included representatives of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), EI, Amnesty International and the Belgian trade unions confederations CGSLB/ACLVB, CSC/ACV and FGTB/ABVV.
