To: Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani
Vancouver, October 22, 2018
Subject: Situation of Iranian workers
I am writing on behalf of the 77,000 members of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union.
We have been made aware that three political activists were executed, Ramin Hosein Panahi, Zaniar Moradi, and Loghman Moradi, from Kurdistan cities. In objection to the executions people of different cities in Kurdistan region protested and a massive general strike was carried out in Kurdistan and some other cities in surrounding areas. We strongly condemn the executions and support people’s protests against the executions. Capital punishment must be abolished immediately.
We have also been made aware that Mohammad Habibi, a teacher and a member of the board of directors of the Association of Teachers of Iran, has been sentenced to 10 and a half years imprisonment and 74 lashes. He was arrested on May 10,2018, in a teachers’ gathering to follow up their justified welfare demands, and has been in prison since. Also, at that gathering 6 more people were arrested: Alieh Eghdamdoost – member of union of retired workers, Rasool Bedaghi – ex-inspector of of the Association of Teachers of Iran, Esmail Gerami, Javad Zolnoori, Hosein Gholami, and Mohammad Abedi were released on bail but on 5 September 2018, each of them were sentenced by 1060 branch of criminal court to 9 months in prison, and 500,000 Toman fine in exchange for 74 lashes.
We consider the sentences hideous and inhumane, and must be abolished. We demand abolition of all the sentences against Mohammad Habibi and his immediate and unconditional release.
Currently a number of teachers, including Esmail Abdi, Mahmood Beheshti, Rouhallah Mardani, and Mohammad Habibi are in prison. Behnam Ibrahim Zadeh, a well known worker activist, was arrested on 17 August and after a widespread campaign, released on bail. He is now accused of propaganda against the regime is at risk of arrest.
We demand immediate release of imprisoned teachers and all political prisoners, as well as abolition of all security sentences against worker activists, teachers, and social practitioners. Organisation, striking, assembling and gathering are basic and undeniable rights of workers and all residents of any society.
Yours truly,
Stephanie Smith
President
CC: The Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran – High Council of Human Rights , Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations , Shahla Daneshfar
