July 2014
Continuing the campaign for the release of Reza Shahabi, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh and Shahrokh Zamani
2 August, Another international day of action in support of jailed workers in Iran
Call on all worker organisations worldwide
Reza Shahabi, Behanm Ebrahimzadeh and Shahrokh Zamani need urgent support
We need an international campaign to save the lives of jailed Iranian worker activists
Reza Shahabi, a member of the executive board of the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company (Vahed), has been jailed for his part in the great bus workers’ strike in 2006 and in forming the bus workers’ union.
In early June 2014 Shahabi began a hunger strike in protest against his transfer to Rajaee Shahr Prison, instead of being admitted to hospital for urgent medical care and treatment. After 43 days hunger strike and a global campaign in support of Reza, he was transferred to hospital. He continued his hunger strike though because he has been handcuffed to his hospital bed and not allowed him to visit with his family. As a result, they have removed his hand cuffs and let him meet his family. Reza continues to protest and insist on his demands. Finally on the fiftieth day of his hunger strike the authorities have agreed with Reza’s sick leave and allowed him medical care. He will be returned to jail when his doctors give the go ahead. After this agreement Reza stopped his hunger strike temporary.
Now Reza and Shahrokh Zamani, another worker activist in Iran who himself is under constant threat and pressure in Rajaee Shahr prison, have written a letter to protest their imprisonment.
Shahabi suffers from multiple medical conditions, including a severe back problem. Unfinished treatments have led to deterioration in his condition. The problems in his neck, back and arms and legs are threatening and might paralyse him.
Behnam Ebrahimzadeh has been in prison since June 2010 on a five-year sentence for union activities. During an assault on political prisoners in Ward 350 of Evin Prison on 17th June this year, he was among the prisoners who were severely beaten up and injured and moved to ward 240 of Evin prison. After massive protests, he was moved back to ward 350 on May Day. On May 3rd, he was moved to ward 209. Ward 209 is the interrogation unit of Evin Prison in Tehran, run by the Ministry of Intelligence. Torture and maltreatment are routinely practised as part of the interrogations.
We are concerned for Ebrahimzadeh’s wellbeing. Since being moved to Ward 209, he has had only one chance to meet with his family. However, following this visit, on June 27, the police raided Ebrahimzadeh’s home and took away his personal documents and his son’s computer. They threatened his wife and his 16 year old son, Nima, who is currently under treatment for leukaemia, a fact that has added to Ebrahimzadeh’s psychological distress.
Ebrahimzadeh is a member of the Committee to Pursue the Establishment of Free Labour Organisations in Iran and a campaigner for children’s rights. He has been subjected to severe tortures during his incarceration.
We call on all trade unions and human rights organisations around the world and all those appalled by the horrific human rights abuse in Iran to support Reza Shahabi, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, Shahrokh Zamani and all jailed workers in Iran.
All jailed trade unionists and political prisoners must be freed immediately and unconditionally! Harassment of workers and their families must stop immediately!
Free Them Now! Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran
21 July 2014
Shahla Daneshfar shahla_daneshfar@yahoo.com
Bahram Soroush bahram.soroush@gmail.com
The regime in Iran continues its persecution of worker activists – from more arrests to harassment of those already in jail and their families. These activists are in prison purely for their union activities. Our campaign is working for the immediate and unconditional release of these activists, and calls on all trade unions and human rights organisations around the world to exert pressure on the Islamic Republic regime to help secure their release and for an end to persecution of worker activists in Iran. Currently, many worker activists and numerous political prisoners are in jail in Iran. Some of the jailed workers include:
Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, a labour and children’s rights activist, and a member of the Committee to Pursue the Establishment of Workers’ Organisations in Iran. He has arrested on June 2011. He has sentenced to 5 years jail. He still in jail now while his 15-year old son is under treatment for leukaemia.
Reza Shahabi, a member of the executive board of the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company, has been jailed for his part in the great bus workers’ strike in 2006 and in building the bus workers’ union. He has arrested in June 2011 and sentenced to 6 years jail. Shahabi suffers from multiple medical conditions, including a severe back problem.
Shahrokh Zamani, a member of Tehran’s Painters Union and the Committee to Pursue the Establishment of Workers’ Organisations in Iran, was arrested in June 2011 and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Zamani has been subjected to severe tortures. He is now being held in the notorious Rajaei Shahr prison.
Mohammad Jarahi, a member of the Committee to Pursue the Establishment of Workers’ Organisations in Iran, was arrested in January 2012 and sentenced to 5 years in prison for union activity. Following a recent operation on his thyroid gland, the doctors have advised recuperation outside prison conditions. However, Jarahi has been refused medical leave.
Mohammad Mohammadi, a member of the executive board of the Free Union of Iranian Workers, has been in jail since February 2012.
Vahed Syedeh, Yosef Abkharabat, Mohammad Molanaie, members of the Committee to Pursue the establishment of Workers, Organisations in Iran. They have arrested in 15 of February 2014. They sentenced to 2years, 2year and 1year in prison.
Afshin Nadimi: a member of the Committee to Pursue the establishment of Workers, Organisations in Iran. He was arrested on 25th June 2014 in Sanandaj city. He has been sentenced to 1 year in prison for union activity.
Rasoul Bodaghi, a member of the governing board of Teachers’ Trade Association, is serving a six-year sentence for union activity.
Abdolreza Ghanbari, a teacher activist, is in prison for taking part in the massive anti-government demonstration in December 2009. He is serving a 10 years sentence.
Join us to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all jailed workers and political prisoners in Iran.
Free Them Now! Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran
Call on all worker organisations worldwide
- Reza Shahabi and Behanm Ebrahimzadeh need urgent support
- Reza Shahabi is in real danger
- We need an international campaign to save the lives of jailed Iranian worker activists
The Islamic Republic and Iranian prison authorities will be held accountable for the grievous harm inflicted on the political prisoners in Ward 350. All those responsible for ordering this attack and those who carried it out should be brought to justice.
The injured political prisoners must receive immediate and appropriate medical attention and treatment outside the prison facilities.
All political prisoners who were put in solitary confinement must be returned to Ward 350 immediately.
The families of the political prisoners must be able to meet their loved ones unconditionally.
Reza Shahabi, a member of the executive board of the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company (Vahed), has been jailed for his part in the great bus workers’ strike in 2006 and in forming the bus workers’ union.
In early June 2014 Shahabi began a hunger strike in protest against his transfer to Rajaee Shahr Prison, instead of being admitted to hospital for urgent medical care and treatment. Now on his 35th day on hunger strike, his condition is critical. The prison authorities and the Islamic regime officials have refused to pay any attention to his legitimate demands.
Shahrokh Zamani, another worker activist in Iran who himself is under constant threat and pressure in Rajaee Shahr prison, has expressed his serious concerns for the life of Reza Shahabi.
Shahabi suffers from multiple medical conditions, including a severe back problem. Unfinished treatments have led to deterioration in Shahabi’s condition; problems in his neck, back and arms and legs are threatening and might paralyse him. In a protest letter to the prison authorities, he writes: “I have problems in both my legs, which go numb and are getting weaker, so I can only get up with massage and with the help of my cell mates”. He then asks: “Is this anything but prisoners’ slow death through physical and mental exhaustion”? He says, if anything happens to him, the responsibility lies with the judiciary, the prisons’ organisation and the highest state authorities.
Behnam Ebrahimzadeh has been in prison since June 2010 on a five-year sentence for union activities. During an assault on political prisoners in Ward 350 of Evin Prison on 17th June this year, he was among the prisoners who were severely beaten up and injured and moved to ward 240 of Evin prison. After massive protests, he was moved back to ward 350 on May Day. On May 3rd, he was moved to ward 209. Ward 209 is the interrogation unit of Evin Prsion in Tehran, run by the Ministry of Intelligence. Torture and maltreatment are routinely practised as part of the interrogations.
We are concerned for Ebrahimzadeh’s wellbeing. Since being moved to Ward 209, he has had only one chance to meet with his family. However, following this visit, on June 27, the police raided Ebrahimzadeh’s home and took away his personal documents and his son’s computer. They threatened his wife and his 16 year old son, Nima, who is currently under treatment for leukaemia, a fact that has added to Ebrahimzadeh’s psychological distress.
Ebrahimzadeh is a member of the Committee to Pursue the Establishment of Free Labour Organisations in Iran and a campaigner for children’s rights. He has been subjected to severe tortures during his incarceration.
We call on all trade unions and human rights organisations around the world and all those appalled by the horrific human rights abuse in Iran to support Reza Shahabi, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh and all jailed workers in Iran. яндекс
All jailed trade unionists and political prisoners must be freed immediately and unconditionally! Harassment of workers and their families must stop immediately!
Free Them Now! Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran
Shahla Daneshfar shahla_daneshfar@yahoo.com
Bahram Soroush bahram.soroush@gmail.com
free-them-now.blogspot.co.uk/
4 July 2014