Mansour Osanloo

Mansour Osanloo, President of the Syndicate of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed), who was released on a four-day prison furlough on Thursday, 2 June, has been given an extension for a month, according to his wife, and he is now at home with his family. Parvaneh Osanloo, wife of the labor activist and prisoner of conscience, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, “[Prison] authorities told us verbally that Mr. Osanloo has  one month of furlough. Now we’re also trying to get a written letter of this furlough so we’d be at ease.”

Osanloo’s family was told last week that he would be released on bail, but after raising the bail amount, prison authorities told the family that he was only going on a four-day furlough and after the holidays he must return to prison. Osanloo has been suffering from heart disease while in prison.

Expressing joy that her husband is at home now, Parvaneh Osanloo said, “Mr. Osanloo has been under the right diet in past few days and the family is trying to improve his mood.”

“We were contacted by prison officials on Wednesday morning to go and post bail for Mansour’s release. Since morning that day, we went after posting bail for him and we waited for him to come until 11:30 at night, when they said it couldn’t be done and to come back the next day. Again, we were looking for a custodian for him the next day, until they contacted us at night and said he was free and to go pick him up. When we got there, they said he was only coming on furlough, and that he must return to prison after the holidays again,” Mansour Osanloo’s sister told the Campaign.

Mansour Osanloo was arrested by security forces near his home on 10 July, 2007 and was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “acting against national security,” and “propagating against the regime. With just a few months left to until the completion of his sentence, Osanloo’s doctors have repeatedly diagnosed him as incapable of serving the remainder of his prison term due to heart disease. He has been hospitalized several times as a result of three clogged arteries.

“I talked a lot on the phone with the Office Manager at the Prisons Organization, but, unfortunately, I neither heard a positive nor a negative answer, and on Saturday he was returned to prison,” said Parvaneh, regarding her request on behalf of Mansour. “He was hospitalized on 1 May, but ultimately the medical team decided that he should receive heart physiotherapy and drug treatment, because open heart surgery at his age and in his condition is very dangerous and it will be a lot harder for him to be in prison post-surgery.”

“Since Saturday when, despite my efforts, Mansour was returned to prison, we have not heard any news from him because the prison phones are disconnected. I’m requesting his quick release. The doctors have determined that he needs a stress-free environment and continuous treatment. He also needs to see his physician regularly so his medications are controlled. Worst of all is that because the telephone is disconnected, the authorities should at least maintain contact with us, so that we can learn about our loved ones’ conditions,” added Parvaneh.

Mansour Osanloo was arrested by security forces near his house in March 2007. After his trial on charges of “acting against national security” and “propagating against the regime,” he was sentenced to five years in prison. He is currently in Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj. Due to clogged arteries, the Medical Examiner has voted three times for an end to Osanloo’s prison term, but the judicial authorities have not reacted to this observation. He has been hospitalized several times during his prison term, most recently at a private hospital in Tehran on 1 May, though he was returned to prison after 20 days.

“They told me verbally to find his doctor and they would allow him to be sent outside, but until they transfer him outside and his medical work is done, I won’t believe it. Next, we will have concerns about his return to the prison after the operation; the prison environment is not suitable for him at all,” she added.

Mansour Osanloo, a union leader with the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, is currently at Shahid Rajaee Prison in Karaj. In hand and foot cuffs, Osanloo was transferred to a hospital coronary care unit for his heart condition in 2008, where none of his family members were allowed to visit him. He was arrested by security forces on 10 July 2007 near his home and was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “acting against national security,” and “propagating against the regime.”

During 4.5 years in prison, Mansour Osanloo has not been allowed a single day of furlough. “He is under difficult conditions. He doesn’t have telephone access. He is under pressure. His visits only take place through booths. His hygiene and nutrition conditions are not good. There is a large crowd inside his ward and all of these create stress. All of these led him to have a heart attack and his problems continue. His doctor said that the prison environment is dangerous for him, and that he mustn’t be under stress. He must have a good diet and be kept in a quiet environment. These are things he doesn’t have right now,” added Parvaneh Osanloo.

“Would you believe that all [prisoner] families are so happy to go to visits with their imprisoned kin, even if it is for just 20 minutes from behind glass? But when the visits end, we feel so bad that nobody talks to one another, because we have just seen their conditions and how much they are suffering. We have a lot to say, but just as we start to talk, the visitation time ends. All of this is so difficult. Even so, his morale is good and he has never complained. All prisoners say ‘we are O.K. don’t worry,’ but we can see their conditions and we cannot believe their words. Each time I try to go see him with more strength. Maybe he thinks the same thing, too,” concluded Parvaneh Osanloo.

Mansour Osanloo is President of the Executive Committee of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company. He has been arrested, interrogated, and tortured numerous times. His first arrest was in 2005 following a workers’ protest. Osanloo is being held in Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj and the Medical Examiner has recommended a discontinuation of his sentence three times for his severe heart conditions.

“Despite our pursuit of the matter and Osanloo’s critical condition, the Prosecutor has not yet to agree to his hospitalization outside the prison.  They must know about the results of Osanloo’s angiography for sure, and they must know that under these conditions, he needs immediate treatment,” said Fereshteh Osanloo regarding efforts to transfer her husband outside the prison.

“Due to my illness, I have not been to see him for a while, but my children who went to see him said that his spirits are good, as usual, but that he has physical problems. Other than the heart condition, he has also developed a disc problem in prison and his eyes are also infected. After the surgery he had for his eyes two years ago, every once in a while his eyes get infected. The prison environment is dirty and his eyes quickly get infected,” said Fereshteh Osanloo about his health.

“If the authorities behave according to law, Mansour should be released for his treatment now. He only has two or three months left of his sentence. He has been in prison for 4.5 years without being allowed furlough even once. Now that he has a dire need for treatment, it is his right to be able to leave the prison. His doctors have said this numerous times and results of his angiography have been sent to the Prosecutor’s Office. Is he not entitled to medical treatment just like any other prisoner?,” added Osanloo’s sister.

After his first arrest, Osanloo was imprisoned for eight months, three months of which he spent in solitary confinement. He was arrested by security forces again in July 2007 near his home, and after his trial was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “acting against national security,” and “propagating against the regime.”

1 June 2009

——

Your Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran to express our alarm about threats to the health and safety of imprisoned labor leader Mansour Osanloo, and to appeal urgently for your intervention.

We are seriously concerned for Mr. Osanloo’s life. He is held in Rajaiee Shahr prison, in Karaj, along with violent criminals who have threatened his life. He could die as a result of such attacks and ensuing mayhem. He should not be held under such dangerous circumstances. Furthermore, having served more than half of his prison term, the Iranian laws allow for his release, which we urge you to immediately implement.

Mr. Osanloo has been violently attacked twice in the past 10 days. On 19 May 2009, he was assaulted by a group of prisoners, and only escaped harm by being defended by others. On 30 May 2009, Osanloo’s life was threatened by Morteza Lak Tabrizi, one of the violent criminals with whom he is currently confined.  While other prisoners managed to pull away Lak Tabrizi, he threatened Osanloo by repeatedly screaming, “I will have you cut into pieces with a knife.” We understand Lak Tabrizi is one of the most dangerous criminals inside Iranian prisons. Holding Osanloo in his proximity and exposing  him to such threats only exacerbates our concerns.

Osanloo’s aging mother and his wife are also in vulnerable situations, witnessing how his life is threatened inside prison and his health deteriorating. They have made several attempts to submit a letter to your office but your staff refused to accept their petition addressed to you, treated them rudely, and ignoring their submission, they were expelled from the premises.

Osanloo’s health situation has been deteriorating for many months. Numerous human rights and labor organizations, as well as international organizations and governments, have expressed concern about the lack of proper attention to his severe health problems; about the fact that he is inappropriately  incarcerated along with some of the most dangerous convicted criminals in Iran; and about the fact that Osanloo is a political prisoner and a prisoner of conscience, whose only “crime” has been his work on behalf of the legitimate rights of workers in Iran.

The continued neglect of Osanloo’s life-threatening health problems and threats against him by other prisoners can easily result in further deterioration or even his death.  Official medical experts have warned that he cannot tolerate continued imprisonment under the prevailing conditions. As you know, under international law, Iranian authorities are legally responsible for the welfare of prisoners under their supervision.

At this point, Mr. Osanloo has served over half of his sentence, and has been allowed no vacation from prison. According to his lawyer, he can be released at this time, a course of action we respectfully ask that you consider.

We will be deeply grateful for your urgent intervention in this matter, which, if left unattended, can result in a tragedy with far-reaching, negative consequences for Iran.

Mansour Osanloo

(17 May 2009) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran urged Iran’s leading judicial authorities to review the conviction and sentencing of labor activist Mansour Osanloo and to release him. Government appointed medical examiners have twice ordered an end to his imprisonment due to his failing health, but judicial authorities have failed to release him.

The Campaign is seriously concerned that further imprisonment of Osanloo could cause his death. Iranian prison officials have a track record of denying urgent health care to prisoners of conscience, resulting in their death. Most recently, Omidreza Mirsayafi, an imprisoned blogger, died in Evin prison on 18 March 2009 after prison officials failed to provide him urgent medical care.

Osanloo’s family has pleaded for his release, with his mother having written letters to Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, the head of the Judiciary, in which she expressed fears for his life.

“We have tried all legal venues and appeals to the Judiciary to win Osanloo’s release to no avail; his continued imprisonment is cruel,” Osanloo’s wife Parvaneh Osanloo told the Campaign. “His family is calling on the international community, especially the labor organizations to continue supporting Osanloo and urge his release,” she added.

Osanloo has been languishing in prison since 10 July 2007. After being held in Evin prison he was suddenly transferred to Rejaee Shahr prison on 15 October 2008. The prison is unsuitable for someone with Osanloo’s severe health problems and is populated with the most dangerous criminals and violent offenders. Osanloo suffers from severe eye ailments and requires consistent medical attention because of open-heart surgery conducted a few years ago.

Fatemeh Golgozi, Osanloo’s mother, has written a letter to Ayatollah Shahroudi detailing the suffering she and her daughter-in-law have endured since 2007. She asks, “Is it justice to make my daughter-in-law with two children endure such hardship and pain simply because her husband worked for his basic rights and the rights of workers in the Islamic Republic through his union?”

Osanloo is serving a five-year prison sentence after being charged with “acting against national security” because of his activities organizing labor unions. He is the founding member of the Syndicate of Bus Operators of Tehran and Suburbs, an independent union that campaigns for the rights of workers. He has campaigned consistently for government recognition of the right to form independent unions and he has been repeatedly targeted as a leader of the campaign for workers’ rights in Iran. Events organized by his Syndicate have been attacked, during which members have been seriously injured.

“Continuing Mansour Osanloo’s incarceration is cruel and inhumane punishment in light of his physical condition, and it is emblematic of the denial of labor rights in Iran,” Aaron Rhodes, the Campaign‘s spokesperson said. “The Judiciary should immediately tend to his needs and release him to ensure his safety.”

There are serious concerns for Osanloo’s health and safety. In addition to eye ailments and his open-heart surgery, two of his arteries are clogged. He has undergone several surgeries but is denied routine specialist health care inside the prison. International labor unions and human rights organizations have urged his immediate release.

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran calls on Iranian officials to release Mansour Osanloo and review laws governing medical care in prisons to ensure safety for all prisoners. The Campaign urges the government to end its persecution and prosecution of all labor activists and to release over a hundred people detained on 1 May 2009 for participating in a May Day celebration.

_____________________________________

The full text of the letter by Osanloo’s mother to the head of the Judiciary is as follows:

In the Name of God
The Honorable Head of the Judiciary Mr. Shahroudi
Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran

With Greetings and Respect,

I am Fatemeh Golgozi, mother of Mansour Osanloo, the head of the Syndicate of Bus Drivers of Tehran and Suburbs, who because he defended his rights and the rights of his coworkers has been unjustly held in prison for 3 years. I am requesting for your attention and resolution of my son’s case.

Mansour Osanloo, since his detention and the extension of his prison term has suffered from serious physical and mental ailments. Because of his condition, the government appointed medical examiner has twice ordered an end to his imprisonment, which unfortunately has been denied by judicial authorities. I, as his mother, if the highest and most respected Judge in the country will allow me, would like to ask these questions:

• Should someone who served the people for years as a driver in the Tehran Bus Company be treated in such a way?
• Why are we, as his family, facing utter indifference and lack of response from the judicial authorities to our inquiries, instead of his unconditional release?
• Is it justice to make my daughter in law with two children endure such hardship and pain simply because her husband worked for his basic rights and the rights of co-workers, within the constitutional and legal framework?
• My son, Mansour Osanloo, has done nothing but defended his rights that are guaranteed under our laws and he should not be in prison for this.

I request of you and  all the authorities in the country, all sympathetic peoples in Iran and the world and all civil structures and human rights organizations to call for unconditional release of my son. I, his old and sick mother who face difficulty visiting my son held far away in Rejaee Shahr prison in Karaj, am in a very difficult situation. I ask for all your help to assists me, within these few days of life I have left, to secure the release of my son. I brought up my children to be responsible, sympathetic, and patriotic citizens, so help me in my struggle.

In the meantime, my son who worked for 27 years for the company, was laid off without any rights or privileges. Why would they act this way with someone who has been so loyal and sympathetic to his country?

Fatemeh Golgozi

2 May 2009

International Labor Organization Should Take Action about the Repression of Workers in Iran

(8 May 2009)  The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran called for the release of all labor activists and six members of the One Million Signatures Campaign still in detention after their violent arrest on 1 May as they gathered to peacefully celebrate the International Workers’ Day, and called on the International Labor Organization (ILO) to condemn the arrests.

“The brutal and illegal treatment of workers in Iran seeking respect for their rights deserves to be protested by the ILO and members of the international community,” stated Aaron Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Campaign.

“The repression of labor activists in Iran is shameful, but so is the indifference of the international community, especially its members who pride themselves on supporting workers rights,” he added.

The Campaign specifically recommended that the Secretary General of the ILO take the case to the organization’s Expert Committee and publicly affirm that the May Day detentions, as well as Iran’s more general refusal to honor labor rights, are unacceptable, especially given Iran’s ratification of six ILO Conventions.

As previously reported, more than 100 people were arrested in Laleh Park in Tehran on 1 May. They included members of trade unions, journalists, women’s and children’s rights activists and others active on behalf of civil society. The Campaign has received reports that as many as 200 people were arrested, 19 of whom were women who were transferred to Vozara Detention Center. The names of 66 detained persons have been published by some labor organizations.

On 2 May, 25 men were released on third party guarantees, as well as two women. All remaining detainees were sent to ward 240 of Evin Prison where, according to those who were released, the detainees suffered ill-treatment.

According to the Iran Free Trade Union’s website, some of the detainees, including Jafar Azimzadeh, Shahpour Ehsani, and Bahram (Issa) Abedini, were asked to post very heavy bails of approximately 500 million Rials ($50,000).  Families of the detained women have been denied the right to visit them, reportedly on the orders of Judge Haddad, and the detained women have been barred from calling their families. None of the detained men have been allowed to contact their families.

Among the detained are five members of the One Million Signatures Campaign, including Nikzad Zanganeh, Amir Yaghoubali, Kaveh Mozafari, Pouria Poushtareh and Taha Valizadeh. Intelligence forces also arrested Jelveh Javaheri, Kaveh Mozafari’s spouse and a member of the One Million Signatures Campaign, during a search of their home at around midnight on 1 May, without presenting any warrant. She had not been present during the demonstration.  Intelligence officers have taken the keys to the house and are not permitting entry by anyone else, arousing fears that false evidence may be planted there. The homes of arrested activists Kaveh Mozafari and Amir Yaghobali were also searched.

According to the website of the Coordinating Committee to Help Form Workers Organizations, nineteen members of the Consumer Cooperative “Felezkar va Mechanic” [Metalworkers and Mechanics] were also arrested while they gathered on 1 May in Tehran. After two days, when the home of one of the members of the cooperative was searched by Intelligence forces who confiscated his personal belongings, their families were informed that they were being held in Evin Prison. Subsequent requests for information have been denied. Six workers arrested in Sanandaj on the morning of 1 May were released on 2 May on 260 million Rials ($26,000) bail each.

Since 2 May, the families of detainees have gathered in front of the detention centers and the Revolutionary Court requesting unconditional release of their relatives, and protested against heavy bail demands. Families have also sent protest letters to the head of Iran’s Judiciary and the Prosecutor’s Office, but have received no responses.

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained surrounding May Day events. The Campaign urges the Judiciary to investigate the attack on demonstrators and bring those responsible for the arrests of activists to justice.

The Campaign continues to be concerned about the situations of trade union activists Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Maddadi and Farzad Kamangar who are still in prison for their activities and urges for the ILO to publicly call for their release.

(1 May 2009) Security and police forces violently attacked Iranian workers as they gathered in Laleh Park in Tehran to observe International Workers’ Day on May 1^st, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported. The demonstration had been called by ten independent labor organizations. According to information received by the Campaign more than 100 persons were arrested, and citizens not participating in the attempted May Day observance were among those beaten.

“These brutal and deplorable attacks are emblematic of the Iranian government’s utter contempt for workers and for the state’s international obligations to protect worker’s rights,” stated Hadi Ghaemi, spokesperson for the Campaign.

An eyewitness to the events in Tehran told the Campaign that she saw five police vans full of arrested people. She described the attack as follows:

“It was about 5 pm. Many people were in the Park. Usually on Fridays the park is crowded. Many people were walking around the fountain where the gathering was supposed to be held at 6pm. Without warning, two vans parked and plain-clothes agents came out of them and started to arrest people. Suddenly, I heard the call, “Long live the labor movement!” Two more vans came, and agents attacked and arrested people. As people resisted, they were beaten with batons and punched and kicked. The attack took 15 minutes after which people walked away because the park was full of security agents who would arrest anyone near the fountain.”

One of the detainees reported by cell phone from the police station in Vesal that more than 100 persons had been arrested.

Citizens detained in the incident have been transferred to different police stations and detention centers. According to the Iran Free Trade Union website, some of the well-known labor activists detained include Jafar Azimzadeh, Shahpour Ehsanirad, Maryam Mohseni and Behrouz Khabazzadeh. Other sources and eyewitnesses reported that seven members of the Association to Defend Child Workers are among detainees.

According to the Iran Free Trade Union website, another May Day gathering was scheduled to take place at 5pm in Sanandaj in Amirieh, the main square. On the morning of May 1^st, five labor rights activists were summoned to the Intelligence Office in Sanandaj and arrested in an attempt to prevent the gathering: Sedigh Karimi, Sharif Saedpanah, Majid Mohammadi, Seyed Khaled Hosseini and Zhyan Sobhani. As activists formed a group in the square, plain-clothes agents and police forces tried to collect their placards, meeting resistance from the demonstrators. The crowed started to chant, “Long live workers” and “Political prisoners should be released.” They were attacked and severely beaten by the security forces, and at least 10 were arrested. Ghayegh Key Khosravi is also among the detainees.

Other assaults on labor activists have taken place in Kurdistan in recent days. On 29 April, Karim Fateh, Ali (Omar) Minaie, and Hadi Tanoumand, members of the Coordinating Committee to Help to Establish Workers Organizations, were summoned to the Intelligence Department of the police station in Bukan. On the same day, Zhiyan Sobhani and Kourosh Bakhshandeh, members of the Committee, and Amaj Nikdel (14) were summoned to police station number 12 in Sanandaj. Sobhani, Bakhshandeh and Nikdel were previously arrested and released in Sanandaj on 17 April when they went to visit Ghaleb Hosseini, a prisoner sentenced for his May Day activists last year.

On 27 April, Yousef Bokhrabad and Vahed Resideh were questioned about May Day observances in the Intelligence Office in Mahabad. On the same day, Hassan Rasoulnejad and Ahmad Eski Baghdadi were summoned and questioned in Bukan. All these 4 workers activists are members of the Coordinating Committee to Help to Establish Workers Organizations.

The International Campaign for Human Rights is Iran appeals for the immediate release of labor activists detained as they sought to peacefully demonstrate their commitment to fair labor practices. The Campaign also notes the urgent need to release and drop charges against unfairly incarcerated Iranian labor activists, including Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Maddadi, Farzad Kamangar and Ghaleb Hosseini.

(30 April 2009) Iranian workers will observe May 1^st, International Workers’ Day, as the government increases its suppression of independent labor movements, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said in a new report (available in Persian) today.

During the past year, workers previously attempting to celebrate May Day were prosecuted, and sentenced to prison and lashings. The prominent labor leader Mansour Ossanloo remains in prison, as well as other labor organizers including Ebrahim Maddadi, Farzad Kamangar, and Ghaleb Husseini. On 16 April 2009, more than 73 workers in the city of Sanandaj were arrested as they met privately to plan May Day celebrations.

“May Day provides Iranian workers a chance to put forward their demands and to express solidarity with one another publicly. To deny them the right to have independent, non-governmental celebrations, and to arrest and prosecute them for this, is a violation of their freedom of expression and their right to assembly and association, which are guaranteed under International Labor Organization conventions of which Iran is a member,” said Hadi Ghaemi, the Campaign’s spokesperson.

The report documents the repression of various independent labor organizations, including:

• summons, arrests and prosecutions of workers and members of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Factory;
• arrests, sentencing and imprisonment of members of the Tehran Bus Drivers Union;
• summons and imprisonment of members of the Free Workers Union;
• summons, detentions and prosecutions of other labor activists and journalists covering labor-related news;
• banning teachers’ professional associations and central coordinating committee, and detentions and prosecutions of teachers.

Last year, two workers planning to participate in May Day celebrations, Ghaleb Husseini and Abdulah Khani, were arrested and prosecuted in the city of Sanandaj. On 21 February 2009, Husseini was sentenced to six months imprisonment and 50 lashes, and Khani was sentenced to 91 days in prison and 40 lashes. Both lashing sentences were carried out on the same day, and they were subsequently taken to Sanandaj central prison to serve their sentences.

On 16 April 2009, more than 70 workers visited the family of Ghaleb Husseini to express solidarity with his family and to plan for upcoming May Day celebrations. Security forces attacked Ghalibi’s home, detaining all of those present. After fingerprinting the detainees and interrogating them, the detainees were released in the evening.

On 23 April 2009, eight workers in the city of Naghadeh and members of a coordinating committee were summoned to the local intelligence office. They were interrogated about their plans to celebrate May Day and intimidated in an attempt to prevent any celebrations. The eight workers are: Sadiq Khosravi; Khosrow Bukani; Omar Ismail-pour; Ebrahim Esmail-pour; Asaad Mowlud-pour; Jalil Sharifian; Khalil Sharifian; and Mustafa Sharifi.

Ten independent labor organizations, having formed the Committee to Celebrate May Day, have called for a public celebration in Laleh Park in Tehran on May Day. The Free Workers Union has also announced that representatives of ten factories, together with Tohid Hospital workers in Sanandaj, wrote a letter on 20 April 2009 asking local city officials to issue a permit for public celebrations. So far the authorities have not replied to this letter.

Noting attacks on independent workers celebrating May Day in previous years, and their arrests and prosecutions, the Campaign expresses its serious concerns regarding the possible repeat of such actions during upcoming May Day events. The Campaign urges the Iranian authorities to allow independent workers organizations to hold peaceful public assemblies on this day, in accordance with rights guaranteed by the Iranian constitution as well as Iran’s obligations under international treaties and ILO conventions. The government should immediately issue permits for May Day assemblies and prevent any attacks or violence directed at participants.

Ali Nejati

Ali Nejati Held in Solitary Confinement in the Intelligence Detention Center in Ahwaz

(9 April 2009) The month-long detention and solitary confinement of Ali Nejati, President of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Union, is without legal justification, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today. Nejati’s whereabouts were finally revealed after his wife visited him at the Intelligence Detention Center in Ahwaz on 6 April 2009. She was allowed to see him for only a few minutes.

Ali Nejati was arrested by Intelligence officials at his home on 8 March 2009. His lawyer, Mohammad Olyaeifard, informed the Campaign that he only learned of his client’s case and whereabouts on 6 April. He was told that Branch Two of the Security Prosecution Court in Shoush (a township in the southeast Iran) filed a case against Nejati and that he was being held in solitary confinement in the Intelligence Detention Center in Ahwaz. Nejati, according to his wife, is being interrogated on charges for which he was previously tried and sentenced. While Nejati’s health condition is satisfactory, his wife says he suffers from high blood pressure.

“Detention, solitary confinement and interrogation of trade unionists for their peaceful activities will not address Iran’s economic and labor crisis. Ill- treatment of Ali Nejati will not solve any problems, and is yet another violation of Iran’s international obligation to support worker’s rights,” said Hadi Ghaemi, the Campaign’s spokesperson.

Workers of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Complex went on a one-day strike on 7 April 2009, where they called for the immediate release of Ali Nejati as well as recoupment of unpaid wages.

Olyaeifard, Nejati’s lawyer, told the Campaign: “The detention and interrogation of a person who has already been prosecuted for the same charges is illegal.” Olyaeifard is submitting a legal statement to the Judiciary, demonstrating that Nejati’s detention and interrogation are unlawful since he is being interrogated again for past charges, and stating that if Nejati is guilty of a new crime he should be legally arraigned in the presence of his legal representative.

Nejati, along with four other members of the Executive Board of the Union, was previously prosecuted on 17 and 23 February 2009. The attorney for the four board members has yet to be officially informed of the results of their trial.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have implemented highly repressive policies to suppress independent trade-unionist movements in Iran. Two leading members of the Tehran Bus Workers’ Union, Mansour Osanloo and Ebrahim Madadi, are currently in prison serving sentences related to their trade union activities. Mohsen Hakimi, a labor activist and member of the Iranian Writers Association, was detained without charge on 22 December 2008. On 18 February 2009, two female labor activists, Sussan Razani and Shiva Kheirabadi, were flogged for celebrating May Day.

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran called on Iranian authorities to respect national and international labor rights and release all imprisoned trade unionists, including Ali Nejati, Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madadi, Mohsen Hakimi and Farzad Kamangar. The Campaign reminded Iranian authorities of their obligations and commitments to guarantee workers’ rights to establish and join independent trade unions under the International Labor Organization convention.