A regime which arrests, jails and flogs workers should not be in the ILO!
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 organizations 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.
Heavy jail sentences for labor activists in the past two years is a record. Many workers, teacher’s activists and protestors who are defending workers, teachers, and children’s rights are being sentenced to jail on the grounds of being “a threat to national security”, “disturbing the peace”, “assembly and collusion against the government”, “propaganda against the government” and “insulting the supreme leader”.
Currently, Esmail Bakhshi, Sepideh Gholyan, Jafar AzimZadeh, Esmail Abdi, Mahmoud Beheshti, Rohollah Mardani, Mohammd Ali Zamatkesh, ,AbdolReza Ghanbari, Mohammed Habibi, Nahid Shaghaghi, Keyvan Samimi, Marzieh Amiri, Atefeh Rangriz, Neda Naji,Atena Daemi along with many other political prisoners are in prison.
-So called “Workers’ House” which participates in ILO as the representative of the workers in Iran, is an organization its authorities have mutilated the tongue of a protesting worker, have played direct role in murder and suppression of workers, and are among criminal elements of Islamic Republic.
Attempt to organize workers in Iran officially is regarded as a crime and apart from government organizations such as “Workers’ House and Islamic Councils, which are designed to counter workers, no other worker institution has the right to conduct any labor activity.
The first question is this: Why is the ILO silent about these kind of anti labour policies and apparent aggressions against workers in Iran? Such a regime should not be in the ILO, but should be tried in an international court to face charges for its crimes against humanity. This regime should be expelled from the ILO and from all international bodies.
We ask all the unions and the workers’ organizations and all delegates appalled at the abuse of labor and human rights in Iran to at least walk out of any meetings at which the representatives of the Islamic regime of Iran may want to take the podium and speak. Their mere presence should prompt your immediate walkout.
Just as the regime of racial Apartheid of South Africa faced international boycott and isolation, so should the regime of gender Apartheid and gross labor and human rights violations. This regime should be expelled from all international bodies, and first and foremost from an organization which bears the name of workers.
We ask you to:
· Demand the expulsion of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the ILO!
· Call for the release of jailed workers and all political prisoners in Iran!
Free Them Now! Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran
Shahla.Daneshfar2@gmail.com,
June 2019