Reports on Activities of the Campaign of Activists of Iranian Labour Movement Abroad on August 9th Day of Action

The Campaign of the Activists of Iranian Workers’ Movement Abroad* called for a week of solidarity (August 4-11, 2007) in support of workers’ movement in Iran and for the immediate and unconditional freedom of Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi. Furthermore, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) jointly called for an International Day of Action in solidarity with Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi on Thursday 9 August.

The Campaign therefore encouraged all activists and labour and progressive organizations to support the day of action on August 9th, 2007 and as a part of their plans tried to organize collaborative solidarity actions in different countries and demand the immediate and unconditional freedom of Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo and the cessation of all sentences and persecutions against labour and other social activists in Iran. Numerous events took place on August 9th and during that week that were either organized by the campaign activists in different countries or were supported by them. The following is a summary of the reports that have thus far received. Additional reports and more details of the following reports will be available in the websites below.

Australia

In Australia, Solidarity committee with Iranian Workers-Australia, along with an ACTU delegation and other trade unionists protested at the Iranian Embassy in Canberra  n August 9th. Following the protest, the Solidarity committee with Iranian Workers-Australia staged a hunger strike and sit-in from 6:00 PM on August 9th to 1:00 PM on August 11th. Many concerned individuals and organizations participated and supported their action and progressive social and political organizations of Australia sent solidarity greetings.

 

Berlin- Germany

At 4:00 PM, Thursday August 9th, a demonstration against the arrest and imprisonment of Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo was held successfully in Breitscheid Platz, Berlin by the Group in Solidarity with Workers in Iran-Berlin. The place was located in the center of Berlin, and an exhibition of photos and slogans spread on the sidewalk attracted tourists and pedestrians’ attention. In this protesting action, the suppression and imprisonment of women’s movement activists, students, journalists and workers were condemned by demonstrators. By staging a photo exhibition, informing and giving out flyers in German, the regime’s brutal attacks on women, youth and mass executions were revealed and denounced. Meanwhile, the latest report about a raid on Osanloo’s home and family, detaining some other members of Tehran Bus syndicate and inconveniencing his visitors were announced to participants. Demonstration was supported by Committee in Defense of Political Prisoners and Society of Defense of Political Refugees Iran-Berlin extensively. Despite the limited time, attendance and attention was more than what was expected, which is indicating the necessity of supporting workers’ movement and other social movement in Iran and participants’ following up.

Copenhagen, Denmark

In Copenhagen a demonstration was held outside the Iranian embassy. About 60 people participated in the event from the IASWI- Denmark and other Iranian and Danish progressive organizations in Denmark. Messages of solidarity from Danish trade unions were announced in the demo.  Danish trade unions have sent numerous letters to the embassy and the IRI authorities.

 

Frankfort-Germany

A protest rally, which was, among others, organized by Association of Solidarity with Iranian Workers – Frankfurt and Suburb, was held outside the Iranian consulate in Frankfort which was attended by tens of Iranian and German labour and progressive activists. On Saturday, August 11, 2007, a demonstration was organized at the centre of the city of Frankfort. Again, tens of labour activists, unions, left coalitions and progressive political organization participated in the demo, demanding the immediate and unconditional rlelase of all political prisoners, including Osanloo and Salehi. Association of Solidarity with Iranian Workers – Frankfurt and Suburb produced photo exhibition as well as pamphlets and a resolution in German that demanded the freedom of Salehi and Osanloo, as well as all imprisoned women activists and students, the repeal of all charges against the 11 workers, and member so the Unemployed workers’ union, in Sanandaj and the immediate cessation of executions and hangings in Iran.

 

Hamburg- Germany                                                                                                       

In support of a hunger strike called by “Committee in Defense of Mahmoud Salehi”, a protest rally in the centre of Hamburg was organized. This demonstration was called by “Committee of Solidarity with Iranian Workers – Hamburg and “Coordinating Council of Iranian-Hamburh” on July 21, 2007. Protesters demanded the immediate and unconditional freedom of Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo. During this meeting, a Photo Exhibition of workers’ struggles in Iran, Women and Student Movement was displayed, and more than one thousand flyers about labour movement in Iran, a protest letter from German Confederation of Trade Unions and the statement of Amnesty International in German were distributed amongst the participants and other people.

 

Norway

In response to the invitation of Norway Transport Workers Union, Subway Workers Union and Traffic Works Union, a demonstration was held before Islamic Republic Embassy on Thursday, August 9 at 12am. The call was to demand the unconditional freedom of Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo, two well-known leaders of Iranian labour movement. In this demonstration, activists from Association of Solidarity with the Iranian Workers – Norway and Iranian democratic and political organizations were actively present. During the protest, president of Norway Transport Workers Union spoke about Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo arrests and their situation now, and demanded their immediate freedom. Also a representative of the Association of Solidarity with the Iranian Workers – Norway addressed the protesters. Finally union’s representatives submitted their letter, asking for unconditional freedom Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo, to the Islamic Republic Embassy.

 

Paris, France:

In response to the call by the ten workers’ committees in Europe, Canada, and Australia, a demonstration was held on Saturday August 4th from 6-8 pm in Odeon Sq. – Paris.  A group of Iranian activists were gathered to protest the arrest and imprisonment of labour and social activists and recent death sentences and brutal suppression carried out by Islamic Republic.

During this demonstration, the recent situation in Iran was explained for inquiring pedestrians and flyers were distributed. In the flyer people were asked to attend the demonstration at the same place the day after as well as demonstration on August 9th in front of Iran’s embassy.

Also Women Campaign Activists in Paris were present there holding photos and reports abut recent executions on street in Iran.

On Sunday August 5th, another gathering in Odeon Sq. –Paris was held in which many statements were read, which caught much attention and brought up many questions. Information regarding demonstration on August 9th was also given. Reported by IASWI-Paris    

On August 9, 2007 at 1:00 pm a demonstration was held in front of Islamic Republic of Iran in Paris to protest the imprisonment of labour activists and recent repression in Iran. As a part of Week of Action, August 4-11, this demonstration was to protest the arrest of labour activists. August 9th demonstration was to respond to the call of ITF and ITUC for a day of action. In Paris, CGT called for the demonstration before Iranian embassy and it was supported by CFDT and FO and other worker’s syndicates. More than 100 people participated from both Iranian and French communities. Most of progressive political organizations in Paris took part in this action. Some Iranian women exposed pictures of recent executions in Iran.

Before the demonstration at 12:00 pm, three activists of CGT went to Iranian embassy and asked for a meeting with the ambassador. The embassy refused their request. Consequently they asked to deliver their letter to ambassador. It was refused too. They were told that they could mail their letter to the ambassador!!

Fransoi Tier Richard read a massage from CGT and emphasized on the struggles for freedom of Salehi and Osanloo.  **BRUNO DALBERTO’s from CGT  was the next speaker who strongly supported Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo. CGT vowed to continue its struggles in solidarity with workers all around the world to reach a social justice for all. Mahchid Modjaverian, a CGT activist and a member of the IASWI also spoke at the event condemning the recent arrests and executions in Iran and called for stronger protests and continued actions and solidarity in support of workers’ and women movements in Iran.

 London , UK

In London, UK, over 100 labour and progressive activists, including activists of the IASWI-Great Britain, ITF, Unison, Transport and General Workers’ union and other unions and groups participated in a demonstration outside the Iranian embassy to demand the immediate and unconditional freedom of Osanloo and Salehi.  David Cockroft the General Secretary of the ITF was one of the main speakers of the protest, vowing to continue campaigning until Osanloo and Salehi are freed.  Yadullah Khosroshai, former secretary of the Tehran oil refinery syndicate and a former member of the central council of all oil workers of iran and a representative of the IASWI-U also spoke at the event and delivered the message of Mahmoud Salehi from prison as well as other messages of labour and progressive students activists from Iran. Iranian community and political organization in London actively participate din the event and sent greetings and delivered solidarity messages.

 

Stockholm, Sweden,

A large group of diverse social, political and labour activists and organizations held a demonstration in front of the Iranian embassy in Stockholm. At the same time, a group of delegates from the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) submitted a protest letter to the embassy of the Islamic republic of Iran. Wanja Lundby-Wedin, the LO’s president, in this letter states, “On behalf of LO and the almost two millions of workers whom it represents throughout Sweden I urge, you Mr. President, to intervene with the relevant authorities in order that Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo are to be immediately released and that all charges against them are being dropped unconditionally and permanently, and that state repression of trade union rights cease in Iran once and for all.” Mozafar Falahi from the IASWI, Sweden and an LO member was one of the speakers of the event.

 

 

Report on the Day of Action in Ottawa, Canada

On August 9, 2007, for freedom of Osanloo, Salehi and other jailed activists, a demonstration was called by Committee in Support of Workers in Iran-Toronto and International Alliance in Support of workers in Iran (IASWI)-Canada outside the embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran in Ottawa. The protest was in support of the Campaign of the Activists of Iranian Workers’ Movement Abroad’s week of solidarity (August 4-11, 2007) and the ITUC and the ITF international day of action on August 9th.

About 120 concerned individuals and labour and progressive activists and organizations from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Hamilton participated in the protest. Representatives and activists of the Canadian Union of Public Employee (CUPE), Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), CSN and FTQ … and numerous Iranian progressive organizations participated in this demonstration.

In the beginning, Mahmoud Salehi’ massage from Sanandaj Prison on the international day of action was read. Also, the latest update from Iran on the arrest of 5 members of the Bus workers’ syndicate outside Osanloo’s home on August 9th was announced and condemned by the crowd.  A solidarity massage from the LabourStart and an Amnesty International statement on the day of action were also read.

Anne McGrath, Director of Equality Branch of the CUPE was the first speaker of the event. Anne delivered a massage on behalf of Paul Moist, the National president of CUPE. Anne said, “Today, the voices of 560,000 CUPE members join with those of workers all over the world in demanding the release of Mansour and Mahmoud, two workers who have been unjustly detained and mistreated for their defense of working people. Brother Mansour Osanloo’s ordeal is especially painful since he is being detained at Evin prison. It became infamous when Canadian-Iranian photographer Zahra Kazemi was arrested in 2003 and tortured to death for taking photographs of it. Fortunately, the Iranian authorities have the eyes of world labour on them. CUPE is confident that in solidarity from the International Transport Workers’ Federation and the International Trade Union Confederation we will win the freedom of our comrades in Iran. Some people wish to silence the voices of Mahmoud and Mansour. But CUPE and Canadian workers are responding: our voices are heard all across the world. We stand in solidarity with labour activists like Mahmoud and Mansour, who are symbols of our common fight for the dignity and the rights of all workers. They put their lives on the line and labour organizations everywhere, including CUPE, are expressing strong support for their freedom and for social justice”. (See also CUPE’s report: http://www.cupe.ca/news/CUPE_calls_for_Irani and photos: http://www.cupe.ca/gallery/Iran-Ottawa)

The next speaker, Denis Lemelin, 2nd National Vice-President of the Canadian Union of Post Workers, expressed the CUPW’s solidarity with the Iranian labour movement and specifically demanded freedom of Osanloo and Salehi. Following is the highlight of Denis’ speech:

“It is important to be here today and remind the Iranian government that we will not let go the fight for the freedom of Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi. It is important that workers be here today because it is the fight for Labour Rights. It is the fight for the right to organize Unions for a better world.  I am here today to give the support of the 54 000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. And it is not the first time we are here. We came last year with the same demand, and we will come as long it is necessary to defend the right to freedom, the right to organize Unions.

WE ARE PART OF A MOVEMENT Today, all over the world; workers are demonstrating their solidarity TO THE IRANIAN WORKING CLASS. We need the Solidarity of the International Working class.

The fight of the Iranians Workers is our fight. WHY? WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT WORKERS RIGHTS WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT GOLBALIZATION AND ITS EFFECT ON ALL WORKERS OF THE WORLD. THE SAME POLICIES ARE APPLIED EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD AND IF WE WANT A CHANGE, THE WORKING CLASS HAS TO DO SOMETHING. WE HAVE TO ORGANIZE AGAINST THE BIG CORPORATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENTS WHO SERVE THEM. THAT IS THE DESTINY OF THE WORKING CLASS.WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT WORKERS WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT PEACE.  « WAR AND PEACE ». WARS SERVE ONLY CAPITAL AND CORPORATIONS WHO PRODUCED THE ARMS. WAR SERVE ONLY THE BUSH GOVERNMENT.  WORKERS WANT PEACE AND WE HAVE TO ORGANIZE FOR PEACE. 

SISTERS AND BROTHERS:

IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE COME HERE IN FRONT OF THE IRANIAN EMBASSY TO DEMAND THE FREEDOM OF IRANIAN WORKERS LEADERS AND WE WILL COME AS LONG AS THEY WONT' BE FREE. AND THAT IS THE MESSAGE WE SEND TO THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT.  THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES! 

Houri Sahba spoke on behalf of the Committee in Support of Workers in Iran and the IASWI-Canada. The following is the text of her speech:

Brothers and sisters, comrades,
- I’m honored to be here today to join the frontline of an international solidarity movement with Iranian workers.

During the last three decades, the political economy of Islamic Republic of Iran has been in accordance with a Neo liberal economic strategy. This strategy was planned and performed by IMF, The World Bank and World Trade Organization.

The consequences of implementation of this strategy have been disastrous:
Factories were sold and closed, Unemployment rate has been increased by 25% according to official statistics. Some 500,000 workers have not been paid for months and even years. The gaps between rich and poor are widening. 30% of children under 5 years old are suffering from malnutrition or dying of hunger and so are their parents. An estimated 2 million heroin addiction is reported meanwhile prostitution, homelessness and child labor is an ordinary practice in Iran.

The latest attack is the increase of oil price. We won’t believe how the expenses are going up.   The drastic raise in basic food supplements is unbelievable. For instance, one must pay $14 for a single kilo of raw beef while the minimum wage salary remains at $7 per day. 13 years ago, when I was in Iran, I had to eliminate some items from our lives each month. Nowadays it happens on a daily basis. What would you do under such circumstances? Of course, you would look for solution. Looking for solutions people get together, they get organized and step out on the streets to express their frustration, to cry out their rights, to protest the status quo and demand changes.

In response, the Islamic Republic of Iran dismisses them, attacks them, fires at them and arrests leaders and progressive workers as it happened to bus drivers of Sherkate Vahed and many others. They were beaten, stabbed, arrested and tortured just because they went to strike or they celebrated May Day. You probably know that right now in Vancouver 7000 workers of Public Services are on strike. It is a basic right for every worker.  I would like to stop my speech here to send our massage to them “My fellow colleagues, we are with you and we strongly support you. So, So Solidarity!”

Mansour Osanloo was stabbed, repeatedly arrested and jailed. He was kidnapped and jailed again when he went back home from London, from ITF’s statutory meetings. In the meetings, Osanloo talked to his colleagues, he defended worker’s rights to organize independently, he defended the Syndicate of the Tehran & Suburb Bus Company and he called for international support and solidarity.

Mahmoud Salehi, former president of the Baker’s Union in Saqez, met Anna Biondi, the Assistant Director of ICFTU in Tehran in 2004. A few days later, he was arrested during May Day celebration. He was rearrested on April 2007. As you all know, he is severely sick and has no access to any health care.

On the other side, United States of America and allies have created a very tense atmosphere in collaboration with Islamic Republic of Iran to suppress all oppositions and voices. By the threats of a possible war they try to behead every movement and drown it in misery and blood. That will not happen, “your boat is leaking.” You will be drowned in the storm that you have created.

I am absolutely opposed to any attack to Iran in any scale. We all know that the consequences of a military aggression will be a harsher repression, a complete misery and absolute demolition of the achievements of the working class.  Resistance to attacking to Iran, today, is completely tied up to the rise of the working class in Iran and to the amount of international support and solidarity with their struggles abroad. There are no shortcuts.

So my fellow comrades! Despite all threats and attacks, the battle is continuing as larger groups of workers are arising and standing for their rights;
Right to organize,
Right to form independent associations

Right to join international unions and celebrate May Day
Right to get paid fairly
Right to live free, no trial, no persecution, no jail
Right to have bread on the table and freedom to speak out
Right to live in peace

My fellow comrades! as a member of this international campaign, once again, I invite you to continue your efforts until they release Osanloo, Salehi and many others who are behind the bars. Our support must be consistent with the struggles in Iran where the heart of this movement is beating! And it will be constant! We Promise!

Elaheh Shokraei , a FTQ member, had massages of solidarity from FTQ( Federation des Travalleurs et Travailleses du Quebec) and CSN(Confederation Syndicates Nationaux) and Party Quebec Solidaire. She also read a massage of solidarity from Iranian Women Association in Montreal. And massages of solidarity from different progressive Iranian groups as well messages from A Group of Iranian Activists and Students of Amir Kabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), A Group of Leftist Students of Kurdistan, Militant Newspaper and Editors of Salam Democrat website in Iran were read.

For more photos, refer to the following link: http://www.kargaran-iran.com/2007/08/post_1010.html

____________________________________________________________________________________________

* The Campaign of the Activists of Iranian Workers’ Movement Abroad includes:

1- Committee of Solidarity with the Iranian Workers - Australia

2- Committee in Support of Workers in Iran – Toronto, Canada

3- Association of Solidarity with the Iranian Workers – Norway

4- A Group of Progressive Workers in Exile – Switzerland

5- Committee of Socialist Solidarity with Iranian Workers – France

6- Association of Solidarity with Iranian Workers – Koln, Germany

7- Association of Solidarity with Iranian Workers – Frankfurt and Suburb

8- Association of Solidarity with Iranian Workers – Hanovre

9- Committee of Solidarity with Iranian Workers – Hamburg

10- International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran

 

 

**Highlights of the CGT's BRUNO DALBERTO’s speech (translated to English) at the demonstraton in front of the Embassy of Iran – August 9, 2007- Paris

Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear comrades,

If Osanloo and Salehi are terrorists…… then we all are of the terrorists!

This day, 9 August, answering the call of the ITUC and ITF, of the hundreds of trade unionists and people express in front of the representation of the Iranian government in their country: it is true in Algeria, in Germany, Australia, Austria, Bielorussia, Canada, Egypt, Spain, Great Britain, Indonesia, Finland, Jordan, Japan, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Norway, Panama, Palestine, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinité, Tunisia and the USA.

This morning, in Iran, the trade unionists had been given return to Teheran in front of the house of Osanlou. The police force encircled them and proceeded to ten arrests.

Like us, trade unionists and citizens of the whole world claim near the Iranian government immediate freedom and without condition of the people only held because of their peaceful trade-union activities. Like us, trade unionists and citizens of the whole world are mobilized to recall at the Iranian State that as a signatory of the international Pact relating to the civil laws and policies (PIDCP), Iran is held to respect the right of association, “including the right to constitute trade unions and to adhere to it” like specifies it article 22-1 of the Pact.
To recall that article 26 of the Iranian Constitution authorizes the formation of parties, companies and political associations or professional. …

Women and men engaged in this fight in favor of a universalization of the social justice based on solidarity and the major importance of the right of the workers to form and control their own trade unions and to defend their interests. Organized in independent and democratic trade unions, these activists are victims of a wild repression.

It is the case for Mahmoud Salehi and of Mansour Osanloo. Mahmoud Salehi, is the founder of the Trade union of the bakery workres. Persecuted in a constant way by the authorities because of its activities, he is imprisoned today in Kurdistan, in spite of his precarious health condition, so much so that the International Trade-union confederation estimates that his life could be in danger, because of absence of medical care in prison.

Mansour Osanloo is the President of the trade union of the bus workers of Teheran. He already purged several months of prison. On July 10. He has been prisoner again with in Evin Prison under the fallacious pretext “of breach of security of the State”, like a terrorist.

Last June, whereas a five years custodial sentence had been marked against him. Mansour Osanloo obtained the authorization to leave Iran to go to various international union meetings, the Iranian government then nourishing undoubtedly the hope that Mansour benefits from it to require the political asylum in another country. We met Mansour on these occasions. Bernard Thibault saw him in Brussels and me in London. Mansour was a comrade… since he became, moreover, one friend.
With much of dignity, it described harassing and the intimidation to which the authorities and the employers are delivered against the activists of his trade union, of which several were stopped with step less than 10 recoveries. It also evoked the beatings up, detentions and other inhuman treatments perpetrated as reprisals against family members of the trade unionists, including children. Mansour finishing his testimony while declaring: “I will not let myself intimidated”

Their combat is worth admiration and respect, for them, their families and their friends who support them.

With them and like they, CGT intends to continue the fight in favor of a universalization of the social justice based on solidarity and the major importance of the right of the workers to form and control their own trade unions and to defend their interests.


                                                                                   

For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI)

www.workers-iran.org

http://www.etehadbinalmelali.com/INDEXI.htm 

August 15, 2007