5 Nov 2011 International Day of Solidarity with Iranian Workers

30 cities in 13 countries and counting…

SWEDEN

Stockholm
Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm
Place: In front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic
Contact: Göran Gustavsson 0704009033 & Faramarz Ghorbani 0765647616

Gothenberg
Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm
Place: Brunnsparken
Contact: Abe Asadi 07317178819

Borås
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 2-4pm
Place: Stora torget
Contact: Esmail Mardokhi 0 737 59 85 66

Helsingborg
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 2.30-5pm
Place: Stortorget
Contact: Gabi Hosseini 0760879874

Sävsjö
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 11am-1pm
Arian Mirzolfaghari 0700773423
zolfaghariarian4@gmail.com
Details forthcoming

Malmö
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 1-3 pm
Place: Triangeln
Contact: Hasan Salehi 0703171102
Farideh Arman 0703638088

Karlskrona
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 2-4 pm
Place: Ronnebygatan 43 till 47 i Centrum
Contact: Amir Kamrani; amir_ung@yahoo.com 0046704 53 10 47
nasserkhassaee@yahoo.com 0046762835308

UK

London
Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 2-4 pm
Place: Trafalgar Sq., North Terrace, in front of the National Gallery
Then at 5pm we will gather outside the offices of the BBC Persian Service, Broadcasting House, 2-22 Portland Place, W1A 1AA
Contact: Behrooz Bahari 07838156819
Alireza Rashidi 07712810675

CANADA

Toronto
Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm
Place: Yonge St & Dundas Intersection
Contact: Yadi Mahmoudi 416-471-7138
hkki.vca@gmail.com

Vancouver
Time: Saturday 5th November, 3-5 pm
Place: Art Gallery, Robson side
Contact: Masoud Arjang 001-6046495453
Vancouver District Labour Council also supports this call

HOLLAND

Amsterdam
Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm
Place: Beursplein
Contact: Bahman Khani 0651273261

NORWAY

Oslo
Time: Saturday 5th November, 1-2 pm
Place: In front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic
Contact: Saber Rahimi 0798694001
Abolghasem Kardar 04133-3268

GERMANY

Frankfurt
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 11am-1pm
Hauptwache Rathenauplatz
Contact: Shahnaz Moratab 015774650186

Berlin
Time: Saturday 5th, 2-4 pm
Place: Joachimstaler platz, am U-Bahnhof Kurfürstendamm
Contact: Farzaneh Derakhshan

Cologne
Time: Saturday 5th, 4 pm
Place: In front of Dom
Contact: Mohamad Nemati 01635522356

Hannover
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011 4-6pm
Place: Kropke
Contact: Naser kashkooli 0177 8348592

Würzburg
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 2.30-5 pm
Abdolbaset Soleimani, baset_marx@yahoo.com
Details forthcoming

Hamburg
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 1.30 pm
Place: Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, Glockengießerwall
Contact: Nazanin Borumand 0172-4044323, Pedram Rezazadeh
017648325613

Dortmund
Time: Saturday 5th November
Contact: Maryam Jabbarzadeh 01786703944
daryagermany@yahoo.de
Details forthcoming

Leipzig
Time: Saturday 5th Nov
Contact: 017629319819
Details forthcoming

USA

Washington DC
Time: Sunday, November 6, 2011, 1pm
Place: 2209 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC (offices of the Islamic regime at the Pakistani Embassy) with march down to Georgetown to hand out flyers.
Contact: maria.rohaly@gmail.com
Organizers: Mission Free Iran & Unity for Democracy and Justice

Philadelphia
Time: Saturday 5th, 1 pm
Love Park, Broad and JFK Street
Contact: Soheila Nikpour 267-439-7185

FRANCE

Lyon
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 4-5 pm
Contact: Payam Azar
Details forthcoming

FINLAND

Helsinki
Time: Saturday 5th, 2- 4 pm
Place: At 14:00 hours we will gather in Helsingin rautatientori and at 14:20 we will start our march towards Narinkkatori behind Kamppi building.
Contact: abroadcommittee@gmail.com

CYPRUS

Nicosia
Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 10-11 am
Place: In front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic
Contact: Amir Masoud Khaghani, 96484292
amirmasoud.khaghani@gmail.com
jonbeshhoghoghpanahjo.cyprus@gmail.com

Limassol
Time: Saturday 5th November
Location forthcoming
Contact: Amir Masoud Khaghani, 96484292
amirmasoud.khaghani@gmail.com
jonbeshhoghoghpanahjo.cyprus@gmail.com

Larnaca
Time: Saturday 5th November
Location forthcoming
Contact: Amir Masoud Khaghani, 96484292
amirmasoud.khaghani@gmail.com
jonbeshhoghoghpanahjo.cyprus@gmail.com

JAPAN

Tokyo
On 5 and 6 Nov, Jamal Saberi, Worker-communist Party of Iran's cadre and an activist of the "Free Jailed Workers Campaign", will be speaking at the Railway Union meeting. Labour union representatives from Brazil, USA and South Korea will be present in the meeting, and the topic of the meeting is jailed workers in Iran.

GREECE

Athens
Time: Saturday 5th November, 5 pm
Place: Athens Polytechnic in Patission Street
Contact: Naser Aghbashloo 00306957954975

DENMARK

Copenhagen
Time: Saturday 5th November, 2-3 pm
Place: In front of the Embassy of Islamic Republic
Engskiftevej 6 - 2100 københavn
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This list is regularly updated. For the latest info, please see:
http://free-them-now.blogspot.com/ www.iranpoliticalprisoners.com http://on.fb.me/oWSQb8 www.missionfree iran.org

Detained workers released as strike by thousands of petrochemical workers in Iran enters its ninth day

The strike by 6,500 petrochemical workers in Iran’s southern city of Mahshahr has entered its ninth day. The workers are demanding that the management honour the pledge made at the end of their great strike in April this year, namely elimination of contracting companies as intermediaries and introduction of direct employment contracts within three months following the strike. The workers took strike action as the company reneged on the deal even after a two-month extension granted by the workers, which expired on 22 September.

Meanwhile, according to the Free Union of Iranian Workers, two workers’ reps and another worker who were arrested on Saturday and detained by the Intelligence Ministry have been released. Mohammad Bagher Bagheri, Mansoor Abbasi and Jasem Badrani were told on Sunday that they may be recalled to the Intelligence Ministry for questioning at a later time.

Taking part in the strike since Sunday 25 September have been the workers of four companies of the Petrochemical Complex, namely Bandar Imam, Arvand, Amirkabir and Tondguyan, all based in the Special Economic Zone of Mahshahr. There have been daily rallies in the square facing the headquarters of the petrochemical company. In the protest gathering on Saturday the workers also demanded the release of their three detained colleagues.

The united strike of the petrochemical workers is a strong challenge to the Islamic Republic, and can provide a great impetus for a resurgence in worker struggles across all industries in Iran.

November 5th is the International Day of Solidarity with Iranian Workers. Join us on this day of action!

To all labour and human rights organisations

Protest against the heavy sentences for imprisoned workers and political activists in Iran and demand their immediate and unconditional release!

The Islamic Republic has recently handed down heavy prison sentences to labour and political activists in Iran. These criminal acts of repression must be met by an international protest.

Calling for the release of imprisoned workers and all political activists in Iran, we, together with a number of labour and human rights organisations, declare Saturday November 5th the International Day of Solidarity with Iranian Workers!

All sentences against jailed workers and political activists must be overturned, and all political prisoners must be released immediately and unconditionally. Such a regime should be thrown out of all international bodies, and from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

We expect the strongest support from labour and human rights organisations across the world. We call on you to join this day of action and support the imprisoned workers in Iran in any way you can.

Free Them Now! (Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran)

http://free-them-now.blogspot.com/     info.free.them.now@gmail.com

Canada
Masoud Arjang
001-6046495453

Norway
Saber Rahimi
rahimi37@yahoo.com

Germany
Shahnaz Morattab
shahnaz1@t-online.de

Sweden
Mamad Amiri
mamad_amiri67@yahoo.se
Hasan Salehi
hasan_salehi2001@yahoo.com

UK
Shiva Mahbobi
freepoliticalprisoners@gmail.com

Australia
Arsalan Nazeri
ilscaustralianb@optusnet.com.au

Japan
Jamal Saberi
jjsaberi@yahoo.co.jp

29 September 2011

New wave of attack on labour activists in Iran

 11 and 5 years in jail for union activity

In the past few weeks the regime in Iran has stepped up its persecution of labour activists. Heavy prison sentences have been handed down against trade unionists in an attempt to suppress workers’ and popular protests. In the north-western city of Tabriz two workers and two students were given long prison sentences on charges of ‘building dissident groups’ and ‘publicity against the system’. Mr Shahrokh Zamani and Mohammad Jarahi, members of the workers’ group the Follow-up Committee to Build Free Labour Organisations in Iran, were sentenced to 11 and 5 years in prison, respectively. The same court (which like all courts in Iran operates under the instruction of the government) sentenced student activists Nima Pouryaghoub and Sasan Vahebivash to 5 years and 6 months, respectively. In another attack on worker activists, a number of striking workers of Tabriz Tractor Manufacturing Company were arrested, kept in solitary confinement, had their hair cut for humiliation and fired from their jobs.

These activists join a number of other trade unionists already in jail or about to be jailed:

• Reza Shahabi and Ebrahim Madadi (jailed leaders of Tehran’s bus workers’ union)
• Behnam Ebrahimzadeh (jailed member of the Follow-up Committee to Build Free Labour Organisations)
• Korosh Bakhshandeh (worker activist currently in the custody of the Intelligence Ministry)
• Ali Nejati (leader of Haft Tapeh sugar cane workers’ union, about to begin a one-year sentence for union activity)
• Davoud Razavi (board member of the bus workers’ union, summoned to court)
• Mansoor Ossanlou (jailed leader of the bus workers’ union, currently out on sick leave having spent four years in jail, whose sentence has still not been revoked)
• Rasoul Bodaghi (member of Teachers’ Trade Association, sentenced to 6 years in jail for union activity)

We call on trade unions and human rights organisations around the world to join us in condemning these attacks and calling for the immediate release of all jailed workers and political prisoners in Iran.

Free Them Now! (Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran)

http://free-them-now.blogspot.com/

Email: info.free.them.now@gmail.com

Tel: Shahla Daneshfar 0044 (0) 7779 898968 Bahram Soroush 0044 (0) 7852 338334

20 September 2011

This May Day join the campaign to free jailed workers in Iran!

Mansoor Ossanlou is the head of the Union of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company. He was arrested in July 2007 and sentenced to five years in prison. In 2010 another year was added to his prison term. He suffers from a number of health problems including a serious heart condition for which he was hospitalized in February 2011. At the end of April 2011, his heart condition was said to have worsened. He is being held in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj near Tehran.

Ebrahim Madadi is the deputy head of the Union of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company. He was arrested in December 2008 when he was visiting an employment office in north Tehran. He was given a three and a half year prison sentence for ‘actions against national security and publicity against the system’. He is being held in Rajai Shahr Prison.

Reza Shahabi is a board member of the Union of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company. He was arrested in June 2010 and is being held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran on unspecified charges. He was set a $60,000 bail, which his family met; however, the regime has refused to release him. In protest, Shahabi went on hunger strike, and his case has drawn strong international support. He has been denied any visits.

Reza Rakhshan is the head of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Workers Union. In December 2010 he was sentenced to six months in prison for ‘spreading lies and confusing the public mind’. He is being held in Fajr Prison in the city of Dezful.

 

Behnam Ebrahimzadeh is a labour and human rights activist and a member of the Committee to Set up Free Labour Organisations in Iran. He was arrested in June 2010, and in September went on hunger strike in protest. In December a court sentenced him to 20 years in prison for ‘waging war against God’. However, after worldwide protests, the regime has said the sentence is to be reviewed. Previously, in 2009, he was arrested at the independent May Day rally in Tehran, detained for a month and then released on bail. He is being held in Evin Prison.

 Free Them Now! 

Campaign to free JAILED WORKERS in IRAN

free-them-now.blogspot.com  info.free.them.now@gmail.com

Osanloo heart condition 'worsens'

28 April 2011

The ITF has received news that Mansour Osanloo’s heart condition has worsened and he urgently needs surgery. The organisation therefore once again calls on the government of Iran to release him from jail so that his medical needs can be met.

The ITF also reminds the Iranian authorities that they will be judged not only by the people of Iran but by the world on their response to the demonstrations that will take place on May the First for worker and human rights.

Meanwhile, Gholamreza Gholamhosseini of the Vahed Syndicate was released on bail (US$30,000) from Rejaishahr prison yesterday after six months of detention. His colleagues, Ebrahim Madadi, Reza Shahabi and of course Mansour Osanloo remain in jail.

ENDS

For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk

International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org

Source: http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/5924

29th Jan 2011: Global Day of Action against executions and in support of political prisoners in Iran

To trade unions around the world!

In the past few weeks, the Islamic regime in Iran has dramatically stepped up the arrest, imprisonment and execution of political activists. There are growing concerns that if the regime is not stopped, it will commit even more horrendous atrocities.

Within the first 10 days of 2011 alone, the regime executed nearly 60 people on various charges. Many political activists have received heavy prison sentences, and three have already been executed.*

At the same time, the regime has stepped up its persecution of worker activists, dreading protests by workers following the introduction of a programme of austerity and elimination of subsidies. One labour activist, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, worker of a polyethylene pipe-manufacturing company, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years’ deprivation from social activity. Also, Reza Rakhshan, leader of Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane Workers’ Union, has been imprisoned since late December. Meanwhile, Mansoor Ossanlou, Ebrahim Madadi, Reza Shahabi and Gholamreza Gholamhosseini, of Tehran’s bus workers’ union, are all still in jail for their trade union activities.

In protest against this rising wave of executions and persecution, a number of organisations from around the world, which campaign against executions and in support of political prisoners, as well as the Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran, have called for a global day of action on Saturday 29th January.

With this letter, we are inviting you to lend your support to this Global Day of Action in every way you can: by publicising the event, joining the protest in a city near you, sending messages of support, speaking at the event, etc. Please let us know of any act of solidarity you are planning in support of this day. Speakers are most welcome. Please bring union banners, placards, etc.

Together, we can stop this regime of executioners and worker persecutors!

Free Them Now!
Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran

16 January 2011

*Ali Sarami, Ali Akbar Siadat and, on 15th January, Hossein Khezri

Behnam Ebrahimzadeh sentenced to 20 years in prison

According to reports published by the Free Union of Workers in Iran (a trade union in Iran), jailed labour activist Behnam (Asad) Ebrahimzadeh has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by Branch 15 of Revolution Court in Tehran. Behnam is a member of the workers’ group Follow-Up Committee to Set Up Free Labour Organisations in Iran.

The news of the sentence was reported by Behnam himself in a telephone contact with his family from prison on New Year’s day. The sentencing follows Behnam’s conviction on 13 December on the charge of Moharebeh, i.e. ‘waging war against God’, for alleged association with a dissident opposition group; a charge which Behnam’s parents have described as pure fabrication intended to frame their son.

Behnam, a worker at a polyethylene pipe-manufacturing factory in the outskirts of Tehran, has already spent nearly 7 months in prison since his arrest on 12 June 2010. Previously, he was arrested, along with scores of other worker activists, at the independent May Day rally in 2009 at Laleh Park in Tehran. The rally, which was called jointly by ten independent workers’ organisations in Iran, was violently attacked by the regime’s security forces and plain clothes agents. Behnam was detained for a month and then released on bail.

Like other labour activists currently in Iran’s prisons, Behnam is in prison solely for his labour activities, for defending workers’ rights. Other labour activists currently in jail in Iran include leading members of Tehran’s bus workers’ union Mansoor Ossanlou, Ebrahim Madadi, Reza Shahabi and Gholamreza Gholamhosseini. 

Free Behnam!

Free Behnam!

Iran labour activist jailed for defending workers’ rights

 

Free Them Now!

Campaign to Free JAILED WORKERS in IRAN