The letter addressed to political prisoners in Iran, signed by Angela Davis and more than twenty international figures and prominent personalities and published on August 20, has received considerable support as well as opposition.
This letter represents an important and humane stance against the daily crimes committed by the Islamic Republic against political prisoners in Iran, and Free Them Now supports it. We have repeatedly called on international organizations, associations, and trade unions to protest the crimes of the Islamic Republic, support the workers and people of Iran, and put pressure on governments around the world to boycott this anti-worker and inhumane regime.
Meanwhile, a number of defenders of the Islamic regime have attempted to whitewash the regime by highlighting the crimes of Israel and the United States. They have attacked the authors of the letter and accused them of taking the side of the United States. This is a familiar approach, largely associated with groups identified as part of the so-called “Axis of Resistance” and supporters of the Islamic Republic. Their aim is to absolve the Islamic Republic of responsibility for its crimes against the people of Iran. In our view, any attempt to shield the Islamic Republic from criticism is an extremely reactionary and inhumane position and policy.
At present, the prisons of the Islamic Republic are filled with workers, teachers, young people, retirees, and women who have been arrested for exercising their legitimate right to protest or for failing to comply with compulsory hijab rules and Islamic laws. Many political and social activists in the prisons of the Islamic Republic are facing the most severe forms of pressure. Among them are 26 protesting teachers who are currently in prison, while many others, as well as labour activists, remain at risk of arrest.
In these very days, the regime has even opened fire on groups of young people seeking employment in Gachsaran and Ahvaz, injuring several and arresting many more.
The Islamic regime is a regime that executes people on a daily basis and rules over the population of this country through brutality, executions, repression, intimidation, and threats. It is a government committing daily crimes against the people of its own country. It is shameful that anyone would refuse even to hear or tolerate the slightest criticism of this murderous regime.
Political prisoners in Iran—and all prisoners—urgently and profoundly need help and support. These prisoners are trapped in the grip of a ruthless and bloodthirsty regime. Their most basic human rights are constantly being trampled upon. Voices such as those represented by the letter signed by the 26 individuals must be heard far more widely.
Free Them Now welcomes and supports Angela Davis and her colleagues’ letter in defence of political prisoners. We call on all humanitarian-minded individuals, organizations, trade unions, and prominent figures around the world to support political prisoners in Iran, as well as prisoners held for ordinary criminal offenses; to demand the boycott and isolation of the Islamic Republic; and to stand firmly for the human rights of workers and the people of Iran.
Free Them Now (Campaign To Free Jailed Workers In Iran)
Shahla Daneshfar, Spoke Person Free Them Now Shahla.daneshfar2@gamil.com
head of inter national relation contact of FTN kazem.nikkhah@gmail.com