Iran government claims Osanloo to be freed
1 July 2010
Labour organisations have today welcomed an Iranian government promise to release Tehran bus unionist Mansour Osanloo – but pointed to the fact that 52 other innocent trade unionists should also be freed.
The ITF and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) issued a statement after it was revealed that the Iranian government had informed the International Labour Organization (ILO) that Osanloo was due for release. The assurance is contained in the ILO’s report on complaints made against the country by the ITF and the ITUC. It is understood from the report that the Iranian labour and social affairs minister had called for Osanloo to be pardoned and that the head of the judiciary had accepted the minister’s request. The ILO committee also anticipates that these developments will lead to Osanloo’s imminent release.
The ITF and ITUC were quick to welcome the news, but reminded the Iranian president that their complaints against Iran’s abuses against trade unionists would not be silenced by the long overdue release of one man. The general secretaries of the two organisations, David Cockroft and Sharan Burrow wrote to the Iranian president, stating:
“We welcome both the news of this commitment and the commitment itself. In the light of this promise, made by your officials to the ILO, we therefore request your immediate and unconditional intervention on this matter. The promised release of Mansour Osanloo will be an important first step by your government towards rebuilding the confidence of the international trade union community. We must, however, also strongly remind you of the need to address the other cases of those unjustly punished for undertaking legal trade union activities.”
The ITF also highlighted the fact that while it welcomed Osanloo’s release, it rejected the description of this as a “pardon” because he had committed no crime. In addition, the federation again condemned the continued imprisonment of other Tehran bus unionists, Ebrahim Madadi, Reza Shahbi and Saeed Torabian.
