*Mahmoud Salehi is Unforgettable! Do Not Forget Him!

An Appeal by Samarand Salehi (Mahmoud Salehi’s 17 year old son)

I remember the first time my father, Mahmoud Salehi, was jailed was in 1995; twelve years ago. He was arrested with one of his friends and spent some time in prison. In 1999 and 2000, he and a few of his friends were incarcerated again; this time in solitary confinement of Intelligence Office. He was rearrested in the fall of 2000 and was kept behind bars for another eight months. On May 1^st 2004, he was detained for two weeks, along with tens of other workers who were celebrating Mayday!

Now, once again, he is in jail! It has already been seven months! He is spending his sentence in Sanandaj Central prison. Throughout these years, my younger brother and I have experienced the bliss and happiness of our father’s presence either in the few short minutes granted to us at our meetings with our dad in prison or the few rare moments we have got good news of his health.

We have always had our mother’s console and encouragement. As an activist, she has always encouraged us not to lose hope, have confidence in our future and bear the heavy weight of our father’s absence! Our mother has spent a good part of her life struggling either to set her husband free or to get at least some news about her partner, the father of her children. As Mahmoud Salehi’s children, we know the truth about why our dad is in prison! And along with millions of workers around the world who have declared their solidarity with him, we are proud of him and wish him great success! We know that our father does not only belong to his family members, but to all those who are fighting for undeniable rights of all workers. Nevertheless, we have serious concerns about the painful conditions he is living in.

Up until now, Mahmoud Salehi has spent a total of seven years in prison and this has severely endangered his health. He is suffering and struggling to live with his sole, painful kidney, prostate problem and serious cardiac insufficiency. For these reasons, we are asking, once again, all unions and worker syndicates all around the world and all freedom-loving workers, youth, men and women not to forget Mahmoud Salehi! Such a militant worker cannot be forgotten!

Our father has committed no “crime” other than defending the rights of the working class and struggling for creation of free worker’s organizations!

We urge you all to fight vigorously and wholeheartedly for his freedom from prison.

Samarand Salehi /  Mahmoud Salehi