London Protest (ITF and TUC)
Canberra Protest (MUA) and Wellington Protest (RMTU)
Copenhagen Protest (Amnesty International Denmark)
Canada – Vancouver (22h50 BST)
On 25 June, the Vancouver & District Labour Council organised a rally in solidarity with the Iranian workers. (Email report by Annie Labaj)
Canada – Ottawa (22h00 BST)
The demonstration at the Iranian embassy in Ottawa was attended by 100 people. Solidarity greetings were presented by representatives of Amnesty International, Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) and the National Teachers Federation (NTF). Paul Dewar, the federal New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Parliament for the riding of Ottawa Centre also spoke. There were restrictions in front of the embassy so the demo was held across the street. There were a lot of flags and chanting and music. The campaign stickers were everywhere. (Email report by George Floresco)
Denmark (19h09 BST)
The Danish Section of Amnesty International mobilised its activists and organised a demonstration in front of the Iranian embassy in Copenhagen. (Email report by incerly Yours John Nielsen)
Netherlands (12h17 BST)
Members of FNV Bondgenoten in the Netherlands organised solidarity activity in front of the “Proviniehuis” in Utrecht where members of the union’s parliament had a meeting on the Iran Action Day. (Email report by Hans Hupkes)
News from Germany, South Africa, Sweden, Tunisia
On the occasion of the worldwide action day, German union GDBA yesterday sent a protest letter calling on the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Germany to support the fight for justice and the implementation of globally recognized human rights in Iran. Unions in other countries, including SATAWU (South Africa), LO (Sweden) and Fédération Nationale des Chemins de Fer (Tunisia) have also sent their protest letters to the Iranian authorities.
Italy (14h32 BST)
On 25 June, representatives of the ITUC, OECD-TUAC and national labour centres of the G8 countries expressed their deep concern over the situation in Iran at their meeting in Rome. Led by the Italian centres, CGIL,CISL and UIL, the union delegation visited the Iranian Embassy to hold a protest rally. Click here to see the video. (Email report by June Sorensen)
Belgium – Brussels (16h27)
At 13:00 about 70 trade union and Amnesty International representatives came together in front of the Iranian Embassy in Brussels. They were representing a huge trade union coalition including the ITUC, EI, other Global Union Federations, and the ETF as the European Transport Workers’ Federation. On behalf of the Belgian unions the three trade union centres, FGTB, CSC and CBSLB were present as well as three ITF / ETF affiliates: BTB/UBOT, ACV Transcom and the CGSP. No representatives from the Embassy came out to meet with the participants and so the trade union leaders delivered their protest letter to the Embassy’s letter box. (Email report by Sabine Trier)
Norway (15h43 BST)
The Norwegian Unions Fagforbundet, Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund and other ITF affiliates organised a successful demonstration today outside the Iranian Embassy in Oslo, bringing together 150 people. The Embassy refused to receive a protest letter from the Norwegian unions and so it was delivered to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs who will send the letter to the Embassy. (Email report by Per Østvold)
Great Britain (15h10 BST)
Representatives from the ITF, TUC, Amnesty International and UK affiliates participated in a protest rally between 12:30 and 13:30 opposite the Iranian Embassy in London. Activists displayed flags, campaign banners and posters with the messages “Free Osanloo” and “Justice for Iranian Workers”. Leaflets with information about the global campaign were also distributed. Demonstrators held placards bearing the names of those arrested at trade union demonstrations on May Day in Tehran who have still not been released. A delegation of unionists and human rights activists attempted to deliver 16,000 Amnesty International postcards calling on the Iranian Government to release the jailed Iranian prisoners, however the Embassy did not meet the delegation or receive the postcards. Participants at the rally signed a red flag in solidarity with workers in Iran.” Click here for the TUC video.
Turkey (13h19 BST)
Turkish unions including Tekgida-Is, TÜMTIS and BIRLESIK METAL –IS took part in a protest at the Iranian Consulate of Istanbul, organised by TÜRK-IS (Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions) and DISK (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey), to show solidarity and support to the workers and people of Iran. (Email report by Burcu Ayan)
This morning representatives from UGT and CC.OO met in front of the Iranian Embassy to protest the imprisonment of trade unionists in Iran. The delegation was not permitted to enter the Embassy however a joint letter from the two national centres was handed over to an employee at the Embassy. (Email report by Sebastian Serena)
Belgium – Antwerp (11h42 BST)
Today at midday BTB-ABVV unionists joined together to organise a protest in front of the BTB offices to show solidarity support to the Iranian workers and to protest against human and workers・rights violations in Iran. Participants were informed about the repression of Iranian trade unionists. The symbolic action ended with a minute’s silence as a tribute to imprisonned workers in Iran. (Email report by Frank Moreels)
Thailand (09h51 BST)
This morning ITF, ITUC, IUF and ICEM affilaites in Thailand joined together to organise a protest in front of the Iranian Embassy in Bangkok to show solidarity support to the Iranian workers and to protest against human and workers’ rights violations in Iran. The demonstrators, who were holding banners, posters and waving flags were met by a strong police presence outside the Embassy. Unlike previous protest activity, on this occasion, the Embassy refused to accept the unions’ joint protest letter. The unions will send the joint protest letter by fax and email to the Iranian Embassy in Bangkok and related authorities in Iran. (Email report by Su-angcana Tungworachet)
Nepal (10h31 BST)
Nepal Yatayat Mazdoor Sangh (NETWON) has this morning submitted a protest letter to the Nepalese Foreign Secretary in solidarity with Iranian workers. The Foreign Secretary committed to send the letter to the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran since there is no Iranian Embassy in Nepal. (Email report by Ajay Kumarrai)
Indonesia (06h51 BST)
A demonstration of 100 union representatives from ITF unions and other Global Union affiliates in Indonesia was held in front of the Iranian Embassy in Jakarta today. The event was covered by electronic media and press. (Email report by Sonny Pattiselanno)
Hong Kong (05h37 BST)
Trade unionists visited the Iranian Consulate and submitted their memorandum of protest today. (Email report by Chiu-wai Chan)
Australia (07h52 BST)
Around 100 union members and supporters from the Australian Workers’ Union, the Australian Services Union, the Australian Education Union, the CFMEU, the Maritime Union of Australia and the Rail Tram and Bus Union have protested outside the Embassy in Canberra today. The union members had wanted to hand a letter to the Ambassador from the Australian Council of Trade Unions outlining the anger of union members at the treatment of unionists in Iran, however the Iranian Ambassador refused to meet the union delegation. The letter has been sent by fax to the Ambassador instead. (Email report by Andrew Casey)
India – New Delhi (09h58 BST)
In a great show of solidarity, workers from ITF-affiliated unions in India have held demonstrations in New Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow. In Delhi over 500 AIRF railway workers demonstrated at the Jantar Mantar, as police had issued prohibitory orders in the area surrounding the Iranian embassy. The demonstration was addressed by representatives of the AIRF, NRMU and ITF. A delegation was later escorted to the Iranian Embassy where they were met by the Counsellor in the Embassy who accepted the memorandum and promised to forward it to Tehran. There are also reports of a demonstration by the NRMU at Lucknow station in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. There is a sizeable Shia community in this city. (Email report by Sangam Tripathy)
India – Mumbai (08h28 BST)
The National Union of Seafarers of India, Maritime Union of India, Transport and Dock Workers Union, Aviation Industry Employees Guild and Western Railway Employees Union has had a very effective meeting with the Consulate General of the Iranian Consulate in Mumbai, who promised to look into the issue and has requested that the unions provide the names of those arrested and details of the prison in which they are being held. (Email report from Abdulgani Y. Serang)
Sweden (09h07 BST)
The President of TCO, the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees, Sture Nordh has today sent a protest letter to the Iranian Ambassador in Stockholm demanding that the Iranian Government respect fundamental trade union rights and underlining the importance of releasing the imprisoned trade unionists. The letter also called for a halt to the ongoing repression of the Iranian people and for democratic development in Iran including respect for freedom of association for both workers and employers. (Email report by Lars Bengtsson)
The General Union of Air Transport and Tourism in Jordan will organise their solidarity action day for Iranian workers and imprisoned unionists on 28 June. Five board members of the union will visit the Iranian Embassy and present a protest letter to the Ambassador and demand justice for Iranian workers and teachers, and the release of arrested prisoners.
The Solidarity Message from Iranian Workers for the Day of Action
Four international trade union organisations (ITUC, ITF, IUF and EI) have declared 26 June as the international day of solidarity with Iranian workers to support their struggle for their basic rights. Members of these confederations around the world will organize practical support towards workers in Iran on this day.
This declaration of international solidarity with Iranian workers is a significant historical moment in the struggles of the international workers’ movement to achieve human rights for workers around world. It would certainly play a significant role in advancing the struggles of the workers in Iran. Moreover this action would further deepen the international unity and solidarity of the working class throughout the world.
We the undersigned wholeheartedly support this international unity initiative. We would like to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to the organizers of the action day and wish to warmly shake hands with you. We send our sincere greetings to the workers of the world in each and every unions.
Long live international solidarity,
25 June 2009 Read more…
Protests for freedom in Iran will be held worldwide tomorrow, 26 June, organised by four global union organisations and their members, representing over 170 million workers.
Switzerland: The ITUC’s Geneva office have requested a meeting with the Iranian labour attaché to the UN on 26 June. The International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM) has announced its support for the campaign. <Read more>
* ITF Online: Iranian action day protests grow
Brussels, 25 June 2009 : The ITUC, EI, ITF and IUF today expressed their solidarity with the many Iranian workers who have joined the demonstrations in the streets to call for respect for their fundamental democratic rights. Protests for democracy in Iran, organized by trade unions, will be held in countries around the world tomorrow. Read more…
Bruxelles, le 25 juin 2009 : La CSI, l’IE, l’ITF et l’UITA ont exprimé aujourd’hui leur solidarité avec les nombreux travailleurs/euses iranien(ne)s qui ont rejoint les manifestations dans les rues pour réclamer le respect de leurs droits démocratiques fondamentaux. Les protestations en faveur de la démocratie en Iran, organisées par les syndicats, auront lieu demain à l’échelle nationale aux quatre coins du monde. Read more…
Bruselas, 25 de junio de 2009: La CSI, IE, ITF y UITA expresaron hoy su solidaridad con los numerosos trabajadores iraníes que se han sumado a las manifestaciones en las calles, reclamando el respeto de sus derechos democráticos fundamentales. Diversas protestas a favor de la democracia en Irán, organizadas por sindicatos, tendrán lugar mañana en distintos países del mundo entero. Read more…
Australian Jewish community backs trade union Iran protests
The leadership of the Australian Jewish community has issued a statement backing protests in Canberra and across the globe tomorrow over the continued persecution and harassment of trade union activists in Iran. <Read more>
When you raise your fist, you are not alone
“They are resorting to all kinds of intimidating and repressive tactics to prevent our actions in Tehran. We are accused as subversives and saboteurs. To crush our protest, the security forces are using tear gas, batons and are threatening to shoot us. Hundreds including wives and children are being arrested and sent to Evin prison”.<Read more>
ROESELARE - Het International Transport Federation heeft vrijdag 26 juni uitgeroepen tot internationale solidariteitsdag voor de vrijlating van elf Iranese vakbondsmensen, opgesloten in Teheran. ABVV steunde de actie gistermiddag met een stil protest van een tiental minuten aan haar kantoren in de Zuidstraat.
IFJ Leaders Call on Ahmadinejad to Free Journalists Held in Iran (25 June)
IFJ Demands Safety for Iranian Journalists as Union Leaders Go into Hiding (23 June)
IFJ Warns that Media Blackout in Tehran Threatens Democracy (17 June)
IFJ Condemns Intimidation as Ahmadinejad Targets Journalists in Iran (15 June)
Für Freiheit, Demokratie und Menschenrechte im Iran
“Wir sind tief besorgt über die aktuellen Entwicklungen im Iran, erklärte in Berlin der Vorsitzende des Deutschen Gewerkschaftsbundes, Michael Sommer. Die brutale Repression der iranischen Sicherheitsorgane gegenüber friedlichen Read more…
Protest to the Iranian government
