Iran: Release jailed workers, respect rights

international | worker & community struggles and protests | event notice Monday February 18, 2008 15:09 by pat c

This is part of the ITUC/ITF campasign to secure the realease of Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi and to demand rights for Iranian workers.

The ITUC and the ITF are organising a global action day on 6 March 2008 to express our solidarity with Iranian workers once again. We want Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi released immediately and unconditionally from prison. Their health conditions are deteriorating.

Mansour Osanloo

We also demand that fundamental workers' rights be respected in Iran, in accordance with the ILO core conventions. The imprisonment of Osanloo and Salehi are not isolated cases in Iran. Nine education workers were sentenced to 91 days in prison recently. The Iranian authorities claim they are "threats to the national security" although in reality, it is genuine trade union activities they want to crush.

Oppression of the independent workers' movement in Iran is escalating. That is why the global unions, together with human rights activists, wish to send a strong message to the Iranian government. 6 March falls two weeks prior to the Iranian New Year and the parliamentary elections.

Send your message! Spread the word and take part in the 6 March Action Day!

Go to the link below for a form which will send a message to Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/sh...c=339

Or you may email him directly at info@leader.ir
Please cc any mail to solidarity@freeosanloo.org

Here is a suggested text:

His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei - Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Your Excellency

I am deeply concerned over the continued violation of trade union rights in Iran, which includes the detention of Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi.

I dismiss the allegation of your judiciary that these men have acted against the national security of your country. It appears to be an excuse to oppress an independent trade union movement in Iran.

The International Labour Organization (ILO), of which Iran is a member, is requesting your government to guarantee freedom of association without any delay. I would also remind you that as a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Iran has agreed in law that: "Everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests."

I request that Mansour Osanloo, Mahmoud Salehi as well as all other trade unionists are released immediately and unconditionally. I understand that both Osanloo and Salehi have health problems which require proper medical treatment outside of prison. I would further call upon you to ensure that Iran respects the workers and union rights which it has pledged to uphold.

The longer the Iranian government delays this process, the stronger the global protest will become. A swift action by the government will be much appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Mahmoud Salehi