International Action Day, August 9, 2007, to Support Mansour Osanloo
Worldwide Update – 6 August 2007
Information on planned activities by unions for the ITUC/ITF International Action Day in solidarity with Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi on Thursday 9 August 2007:
In London, the ITF and the UK trade unions, together with Amnesty International will take part in a protest vigil outside the Iranian Embassy. The delegation plans to deliver the ITF petition. The participants to the vigil will carry the campaign posters and also hold boards displaying the names of those people who have signed the petition.
In Geneva, a delegation composed of representatives from Global Unions including the ITUC, UNI, PSI and IUF will visit the Mission to Iran and meet with the Ambassador at 15h30. The ITUC is also planning a meeting with the Iranian Mission in Brussels.
Australia
An ACTU delegation of union officials including ITF affiliates such as RTBU and MUA will seek an audience with the Iranian Ambassador and deliver a letter of protest at the Iranian Embassy in Canberra.
Austria
The Austrian union for transport and services, VIDA is in contact with the Foreign Ministry and has requested a meeting with the Iranian Embassy on 9 August. A rally is planned in front of the Embassy.
Canada
The Canadian Labour Congress has written to the Ambassador. A CLC protest vigil will be held in Toronto – Queen’s Park on 9 August between 12h30-13h30.
France
French unions are planning a demonstration at the Iranian Embassy at 13h00 on 9 August. The CGT as well as Force Ouvrière will join this protest action. The FO will mobilize its transport and food sections.
Germany
Bus workers in Frankfurt are planning a protest action.
TRANSNET has publicized the Action Day to all union activists.
GDBA has sent a protest letter to the Ambassador and asked all union activists to do the same.
Great Britain
Amnesty International is preparing a statement of support. The ITUC/ITF campaign has been advertised to all UK trade union contacts and activists in the London region. The Amnesty UK Section has also highlighted Mahmoud Salehi's case in its monthly online action E-zine which is sent to 60,000 registered activists in the UK.
The RMT has sent a message to union activists calling for their support. The union has also highlighted the protest appeal on its website.
The ITUC-ITF appeal has been circulated to all GMB staff and activists asking them to sign the online petition.
UNISON has publicised the appeal on its webpage calling for people to take action.
The National Union of Journalists has raised Osanloo’s case at its International Committee.
The British National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) has asked its activists to sign the online petition and send letters of protest to the Iranian Embassy.
Hungary
The Free Trade Union of Railway Workers (VDSzSz) has publicised the appeal on its website encouraging members and visitors to sign the petition.
Indonesia
ITF affiliates are sending their individual protest letters to the Iranian Embassy in Jakarta. On 9 August a delegation of ITF affiliates will take part in a demonstration outside the Embassy where a joint protest letter will be submitted. Local media have been contacted.
Japan
A delegation from RENGO will meet with the Ambassador at the Iranian Embassy in Tokyo on 9 August and also submit a protest letter and copies of the ITF petition. Mac Urata will represent the ITF at the event.
Malaysia
The ITF Malaysia Council plans to deliver a protest letter to the Iranian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Nepal
As there is no Iranian diplomatic mission in the country, NETWON will visit the Ministry of Nepal Government and submit a protest letter. The union has also consulted the NTUC for possible joint action.
Netherlands
The FNV has publicised the campaign on their website and urged people to sign the petition.
Norway
Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund is organizing a demonstration outside the Iranian Embassy and will deliver a protest letter.
Panama
ITF affiliates in Panama will deliver a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting that the Government communicate the unions' request that Brothers Osanloo and Salehi are released immediately to the Iranian Government.
Romania
Federatia Sindicala Transloc intends to picket the Iranian Embassy and distribute leaflets calling for the release of Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi.
Switzerland
SEV will organize a protest action in front of the Iranian Embassy in Berne and submit the union's protest letter. Media have been invited to the event.
Thailand
Affiliates in Thailand will participate in the Action Day. The ITF Coordinating Committee is seeking cooperation with ITUC affiliates.
Trinidad
The Seamen & Waterfront Workers' Trade Union will hold a press conference to highlight the plight of the Iranian prisoners.
USA
The AFL-CIO is organizing a delegation to visit the Iranian Interest Section on 9 August to submit a protest letter from their President, John J. Sweeney and to also deliver a copy of the ITF petition. Union events will also take place in Chicago and New York.
Worldwide Update #2 – 7 August 2007
This is the second set of information on planned activities by unions for the ITUC/ITF International Action Day in solidarity with Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi on Thursday 9 August 2007. Worldwide Update #1, which was released yesterday, is available upon request
Iran
The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed) has asked supporters to gather at Mansour Osanloo's house in Tehran between 10.00 and 19:00. Events are also planned in Kurdistan. Independent workers’ groups have called a demonstration in front of Tehran University.
Pakistan
The Pakistan Transport Workers’ Federation has sent letters to the President of Iran as well as the Iranian Ambassador in Islamabad and the Iranian Consulate General in Lahore demanding the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi. On 9 August, the union will organise a rally in front of the Press Club Lahore.
Jordan
The General Union of Petrochemicals and the General Union of Road Transport
Workers will write protest letters and deliver them by hand to the Iranian
Embassy. The General union of Port workers will send a protest letter by fax to
the embassy.
Yemen
The General Federation of
Transport Workers will write a protest letter and deliver it by hand to the
Iranian Embassy.
Egypt
The General Union of Air
Transport Workers and the General Union of Land Transport will gather in front
of the Iranian Embassy to protest and deliver solidarity letters
Algeria
The
General Union of Railway Workers will send a protest letter be sent to the
Iranian Embassy by fax.
Tunisia
Workers from the National Federation of Transport plans to gather in front of
the Iranian Embassy to protest and deliver solidarity letters
Morocco
Union leaders from the General
Union of Land Transport and the General Federation of Port Workers, together
with other colleagues will demonstrate in front of the Iranian Embassy and send
protest letters to the Iranian government.
Palestine
The General Union
of Transport Workers will send solidarity letters to the Iranian Embassy in
Jordan by fax.
Finland
AKT will visit the Iranian Embassy in Helsinki, together with the Finnish Food Workers’ Union and submit the ITF petition as well as the union’s petition.
Sweden
A delegation from LO Sweden will deliver a letter to the Iranian Embassy on 9 August.
Spain
UGT will submit the ITF petition to the Iranian Embassy on 9 August. The union is coordinating its activities for the Action Day with CC.OO.
France
The CFDT has released a press statement. The union will participate in the activity outside the Iranian Embassy in Paris on 9 August. The union has circulated the ITF petition to all union contacts and has written to the Iranian President.
The General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions sent a protest letter to the Iranian government on 7 August.
Belarus
The ITUC-affiliated Belarussian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BCDTU) sent a protest letter to the Iranian Mission in Minsk on 7 August. The union is also trying to obtain a meeting with the Ambassador on 9 August.
USA
Representatives from the Teamsters Union and Solidarity Center will visit the Iranian Interest Section in Washington DC on 9 August to deliver the letters from their respective leadership (This information replaces the previous report from yesterday).
The ASU will join the ACTU delegation to the Iranian Mission in Canberra.
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have called the Solidarity Day of August 9, 2007 as the global day in defense of Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi.
The Syndicate of Vahed Company’s Workers appreciations all trade unions worldwide, especially ITF and ITUC, joins them to support workers’ solidarity and the global call to free Mansour Osanloo who has sacrificed his life and family to defend social justice and workers rights and endured several months in prison under a severe situation, has endangered his life in the past and accepted the risk of being jailed in the future, invites all the zealous and honorable colleagues of Vahed Company and all institutions and individuals who are defenders of workers rights, justice seekers, freedom seekers and in favor of Iranian Civil Rights, as well as journalists and reporters to express solidarity and demand freedom of Mansour Osanloo on August 9, 2007 by coming together in his house from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. His home address is 343 (1st. floor) Shahid Aliakbar Amiri Alley, Janbazan e Gharbi (Golbarg) St., between Sabalan square and Masil Bakhtar e Aval cross, Narmak.
The Syndicate also joins the global call by the International Trade Unions and following the previous requests demands immediate freedom of Mr. Mahmoud Salehi worker of the Bakery Association of the Saghez city and workers’ right defender who is gravely ill in prison in Sanandaj.
Syndicate of the Workers of Tehran and Suburb Bus Vahed Company
August 3, 2007
NEWS
Tuesday August 8, 2007, First News
Seeking help from UN about Mansour Osanloo’s fate
As there is absolute absence of news about Mansour Osanloo’s fate, and since he has no visiting or telephone contact with his family and attorneys, and no answers from judiciary authorities, his wife has referred to the United Nations office in Tehran after consulting with his family and the Syndicate of the Workers’ of Vahed Bus Company. She asked for an investigation and the intervention of the International Labor Organization and Supreme Human Rights Commission about Mr. Mansour Osanloo’s situation as an activist and the defender of the Workers’ Syndicalism Rights.
Tuesday August 8, 2007, Second News
Hearing of Syndicate members because of the Vahed’s Company labor’s protest in winter 2005
After sending a summons to appear for trial on August 8, 2007 at the Revolutionary Court Branch 14 to Mr. Ebrahim Madadi, Mr. Ebrahim Madadi, Davoud Razavi and Yaghoub Salimi, the latter two of whom are awaiting court hearings, went to the courthouse in company of Mr. Yousef Mowlaiee and Parviz Khorshid, the Syndicate’s attorneys, to read their files.
We remind that the defendants previously had not been allowed to read their files and, their attorneys, who were not allowed to copy the files, took handwritten notes.
We also remind that Mansour Osanloo attended his trial on February 23, 2007 and was sentenced to 5 years in jail.
Tuesday August 8, 2007, Third News
Pursuit and surveillance of Syndicate members by the unknown individuals continues
After recent news about pursuit and surveillance of Mr. Ebrahim Madadi and Abbas Najand Koudaki’s residential neighborhood by unknown individuals, news has spread that two unknown people driving a white Pride car went to the previous rental home of Mr. Reza Shahabi, a member of the Syndicate’s executive board. They introduced themselves as his friends and colleagues and questioned the owner. After they obtained Mr. Shahabi’s current address they went to his current residential neighborhood and using the same device and disguise they continued their investigations by questioning his neighbors.
News on August 5, 2007
August 5, 2007, First News
Action to Establish a Follow up Committee of Mansour Osanloo’s Fate
As a result of the complete newslessness about Mansour Osanloo’s situation and fate, and since there is no respect of his rights as the accused one, and due to the failure of his attorneys and family to get the proper response from the Authorities in the Security Deputy of Tehran Prosecutor Office and the other Judiciary Authorities, a committee is being established by his family, attorneys, lawyers as well as the Syndicate’s representatives to follow up Mr. Osanloo’s fate constantly and strategically. This committee requests all people who concern this issue for further cooperation.
Contact with this email address for collaboration syndicavahed@gmail.com
August 5, 2007, Second News
Prosecution of the Syndicate’s Activists by the Unknown Plainclothes
After the news of the written and telephone summons of Syndicate Activists by Security Department of the Prosecutor was distributed to the public, unknown people went to Ebrahim Madadi’s residential neighborhood and questioned and asked from shops and people around his house about him. The same happened on August 1, 2007 in which the unknown person who introduced himself the friend of Abbas Najand Koudaki, member of the Syndicate Director Board, went to his house and asked some questions. When his behavior and contradictory questions were found doubtful by Najnadi’s sister, he suddenly left.
As the news of the same actions through the parallel originations distributed, Mr. Madadi and Najand Koudaki’s attorneys paid especial attention and investigation on this news.
News on July 30, 2007
July 30, 2007, First News
On Monday, July 30, 2007, Dr. Youssef Mowlaie and Parviz Khorshid, Mr. Mansour Osanloo's attorneys, went to the Deputy Security Office of the Revolutionary Court's Prosecutor, having been there several times already, and were unfortunately not given any clear information about Mr. Mansour Osanloo.
July 30, 2007, Second News
A prior request for adjudication by Mr. Osanloo's mother, wife, and family to the Office of the Civil Rights Board had not resulted in any official answer or explanation to this office by officials who captured him, about Mr. Mansour Osanloo as of July 30, 2007.
July 30, 2007, Third News
According to the attorneys of the Syndicate, Dr. Youssef Mowlaie and Mr. Parviz Khorshidi, the cases of Mr. Said Torabian and Yaghoub Salimi which were being processed in Branch 14 of the Revolutionary Court were reviewed on July 31, 2007. The files of Seyed Davood Razavi, Ebrahim Gowhari, Ebrahim Madadi, and Ata Babakhani will be processed in the future.
July 30, 2007, Fourth News
After the Vahed Company's refusal to obey the ruling of the government to reinstate and to pay compensation for the duration of the Syndicate workers’ suspension, and following the Company's refusal to pay compensation at 50% for the month of June - July ( Khordad) 2007, a group of Vahed workers’ representatives comprised of Mr. Ebrahim Madadi, Said Torabian, Seyed Davood Razavi, and Gholamreza Gholamhosseini submitted another complaint in addition to their previous requests for adjudication.
News on July 27, 2007
July 27, 2007, First News
After the Judiciary issued a temporary waiver of the decision of the East Tehran Labor Department for Mr. Reza Shahabi and Nemat Amirkhani, the Labor and Social Affairs Organization of Tehran Province was forced to make arrangements to accommodate the judiciary’s decision.
July 27, 2007, Second News
Follow up to the enforcement of the reinstatement orders for Mr. Mahmoud Hajbari, Gholamreza Gholamhosseini, Hassan Saidi and Sadegh Khandan was once again thwarted by the illegal intervention of the Security Department of Vahed Company, which is legitimized by the decision of the Safeguarding Council of Tehran. These workers will continue to fight for their rights.
July 27, 2007, Third News
Per the decision of the East Tehran Labor Department, the Vahed Company was ordered to re-employ Mr. Morteza Kamsari and to pay all compensation and benefits for his 17-month suspension. The Security Department of Vahed has announced that it will, in coordination with the Safeguarding Council of Tehran, refuse to implement this decision. Following up on the enforcement of payments in this case, the Rules and Regulations Office of the Bahonar Judiciary Complex ruled that the Vahed Company is not a government agency and therefore its bank account at the Melli Bank was ordered closed.
Parviz Khorshid, the defense attorney of Mr. Mansour
Osanloo, President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus
Company stated that the charges raised upon his client are still unclear, and
that Osanloo’s attorneys have been unable to get any additional information
about the content of the charges. In an interview with Norooz News, Mr.
Khorshid remarked about the fact that Mr. Osanloo is not able to receive
visitors, adding that Osanloo’s family has been unable to visit him since his
arrest. He stated that the crime Osanloo is charged with should not prohibit
him from receiving visitors, and that they are treating him exceptionally
harshly. He stated he hopes that the family and attorneys of Mr. Osanloo will
be able to visit him as soon as possible. Mr. Khorshid stated he visited the
Revolutionary Court prosecutor’s office on Monday, July 29, 2007, and he was
promised that the issue of ban on the right of him receiving
visitors will be looked in to.
http://norooznews.ir/news/2455.php
The Interview of Legal Scholar and Human Rights Defender with Radio Farda about the Charges Imposed on the President of the Vahed Syndicate
Worries about physical and psychological pressure upon Mansour Osanloo
By Behrooz Karooni
From: www.radiofarda.com/ArticlePrint.aspx?id=403924
July 24, 2007
Charges imposed on the President of the Vahed Syndicate
Abdolfatah Soltani, legal scholar and a member of the Roundtable for Defense of Human Rights in Iran, expressed criticism of the charge of 'acting against national security', the charge against Mr. Osanloo, adding that, "this crime has not been stipulated in the law as a specific type of crime." Mr. Soltani expressed regret and disapproval at the Iranian government using this charge against labor activists, students and women. He stated, "this charge in and of itself is meaningless and the individual arrested does not know exactly what s/he is charged with." This legal scholar and human rights defender points out that Article 168 of the Islamic Republic's Constitution stipulates that political crimes must be clearly defined. "Now, the political prisoners must pay the price for this oversight."
He adds that the treatment these individuals are receiving violates human rights conventions and the Islamic Republic's constitution. "In other words," he stated, "this type of treatment aims to choke off any critical or protestant voice that is striving to call attention to abuses of power." This legal scholar and human rights activist was asked about worries regarding Mr. Osanloo's physical and mental state, and the fact that Mr. Osanloo has an eye and heart condition. He responded, "If Mr. Osanloo is in solitary confinement, in accordance with the decision of the Judiciary in the years 1382 (2003) this would be against the law. If they have blindfolded him, questioned him, cut him off from visitors and his family, and deprived him of counsel, all of these are actions that are illegal and patent violations of human rights."
Osanloo Charged
with Conspiring against National Security
Radio Farda
By Behrooz Karooni
7-20-2007 - One of Mansour Osanloo's attorneys stated that his defendant has
been charged with "conspiring against national security."
Youssef Mowlaie told Radio Farda that the file is in preliminary investigative
stages and they have no access to the file or his defendant." With regard to the
attorneys' attempts to gain more access to the judiciary process, he adds,
"after following up many times, we realized that they have issued an order of
one month's temporary imprisonment, but it's possible that this one month may be
extended."
Mr. Mowlaie stated about Osanloo's protests regarding his arrest, "this protest
has been submitted to the court." Mr. Osanloo was captured July 10, 2007 near
his house by four unknown assailants and beaten and arrested. Eyewitnesses
reported that when the assailants were beating him and arresting him they were
shouting that Mr. Osanloo was a thief.
IN the meantime, the judiciary and intelligence forces of the Islamic Republic
refrained from issuing any information about this labor activist's status for
three days. Only after extended protests by labor organizations around the
world did the judiciary authorities announce on July 13, 2007 that they had
arrested Mr. Osanloo and that he was in Evin prison.
The defense attorney of the President of the Board of Directors of the Syndicate
of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Company points out that his family
has not been able to meet with Mr. Osanloo for the past 10 days and added that
it may be possible that they could visit him this week.
Youssef Mowlaie stated regarding Mr. Osanloo's charges of "conspiring against
national security" that, "it is still not clear what legal code or basis they
derived these charges from. Therefore, we can't make any definitive statements
until we can see his file." He then pointed out that from a legal viewpoint,
presently, the defense is hamstrung because Mr. Osanloo's file has been
classified as a "security and intelligence file" and is under review at the
Intelligence Prosecutor's office.
Charges pressed upon my spouse are baseless
Parvaneh Osanloo; Mansour Osanloo's wife told radio farda that the charges
pressed upon her spouse are baseless. She stated, "The crime they have charged
Mr. Osanloo with, are unreasonable and baseless, because they have arrested him
in relation to trade union activity. He has always been arrested because of the
trade union. In these arrests, the only thing they never talk about is the
trade union."
She added that in the past 10 days of imprisonment and the absence of any
information about his status, she is worried about his heart and eye condition,
and his overall physical condition. She stated, "I have witnessed up close how
my spouse toils wholeheartedly for Iran and its people, and stands up for his
own and his colleagues' rights. Why should this type of person be charged with
unbecoming acts? If Mansour Osanloo had done anything against national
security, he would not have returned from his voyage from abroad. He knew full
well that upon his return, he might have even been arrested at the airport. So
he had no vulnerabilities that he needed to worry about."
Mrs. Osanloo stressed the need for herself and for Mr. Osanloo's attorneys to
visit with her husband, the President of the Board of Directors of the Syndicate
of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Company, as soon as possible.
http://www.radiofarda.com/Article/2007/07/20/f7_Iran_Osanlou_charges.html
The Statement of the Vahed Syndicate about Mahmoud Salehi
Save Mahmoud Salehi from Mortal Danger!
According to published reports and in the media, the physical condition of Mr. Mahmoud Salehi, this strident defender and warrior of workers rights and member of the Bakers Union of Sanandaj, has worsened due to kidney disease and he has been taken to the hospital from prison.
The workers of the Vahed Syndicate wishes for his complete recovery and while demanding immediate medical treatment for him, also demands his release. All erudite persons concerned for the future of our country concur on the point that national unity and solidarity and social participation takes place in abidance by the law. Based on this sound idea, all defenders and activists of human rights must be able to perform in complete freedom. Using this method, national security can be guaranteed.
The imprisonment of people such as Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi and other human rights activists is pointless and will not have a positive effect, especially for the deprived classes of society or the justice-seeking populace.
The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Company along with all other workers organizations be they local, national or international, raises its vocal objection towards the imprisonment of Mr. Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi, and demands their immediate and unconditional freedom.
With Hope that the Justice Seekers of the World are not imprisoned anywhere in the world!
July 18, 2007
The Statement of the Founding Board of the Syndicate of Computer Workers bout Osanloo’s Abduction
Founding Board of the Syndicate of Computer Workers protest the kidnapping of Mansour Osanloo, President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Company
It was circulated in the media that Mansour Osanloo was beaten severely and kidnapped by intelligence ministry agency and forced off a bus. Aghast witnesses stared at agents who continued beating him long after his capture.
What is clear is that the agents were not acting independently and solely on their own volition, and a higher authority is guilty of ordering this crime. But can the grotesqueness of this act be summed up in one issued order? Can the essence of the situation be explained by the act of kidnapping a labor activist who always followed constitutional law and international labor conventions to insist upon the rights of the noble workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company? Truthfully, what makes the ugly scene of Mansour Osanloo’s kidnapping even more perverted is the severity of the beating and the fact that the agents acted willfully above and well beyond their duty. Are they excused for their limitless action? Do children of these agents ever ask about their father’s occupation, so that they might be proud in their glorious imaginations? Do their spouses ever ask what cowardly activities provide their family’s livelihood?
In response to all of these questions, the Founding Board of the Syndicate of Computer Workers, as a nascent union that gains its legitimacy from Article 21 of the Iranian constitution and Convention 87 of the International Labor Organization, condemns the kidnapping of Mansour Osanloo, our dear brother and head of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Company. We condemn the inhumane manner in which he is treated, and demand his unconditional and immediate release.
Founding Board of the Syndicate of Computer Workers
July 12, 2007
The Statement of the Founding Board of the Syndicate of Painters and Workers of Building Decoration about Osanloo’s Abduction
Statement of the Reestablishment Committee of the Syndicate of Workers of Building Paints – regarding condemnation of Mr. Mansour Osanloo’s Arrest
As we suspected, the victorious journey and the proud presence of Mansour Osanloo among the workers of the ITF and the ITUC, as well as his poignant presence in the annual meeting of the ILO so enraged the unprincipled, thieving capitalists that they lost their toleration and recorded another heinous deed in their own names, in the book of history. They had the unsophisticated idea that they could reduce the sweetness of recent victories by the Iranian Labor Movement, but this thought is invalid!
The news arrived that the thieves of the night, this time in front of hundreds of citizens and near Mansour Osanloo’s home, sadistically, criminally and deceitfully pummeled him and with utmost cruelty and incivility took him to an unknown location.
A five-year sentence of imprisonment was unable to dampen Mr. Osanloo’s zeal for continuing his fight for workers, and now they recompense this visionary by re-arresting him! Meanwhile, our regrets to those who, out of ignorance and misinformation, utter most unjustified insults to Osanloo and his colleagues at the Vahed Board, the home-dwellers who say, “You went out of the country, so you must be an informant!” Now they say, “You have been arrested, so you must be an informant!” Whoa unto them.
This tragedy occurred when the struggles of forthright workers activists to free Mahmoud Salehi, another champion of workers rights who has been jailed for the last several months, was in progress. The capture of Osanloo follows recent serial arrests that specifically targets labor rights activists. The firm purpose of certain capitalist influences in our society is to repress and eliminate this major force among our social movements. Such a thing will never happen.
Under these circumstances, the Reestablishment Committee of the Syndicate of Workers of Building Paints condemns the arrest of Mahmoud Salehi, Mansour Osanloo, and demands a guarantee of their immediate safety, well-being and freedom. The authorities must also cease and desist these types of activities. To the authorities of the Islamic Republic we building painters state that continuing violent, illegal and illogical acts does not benefit any party. Instead of insisting upon these wrongheaded behaviors, we urge you to respect human and workers rights, to abide by international conventions that recognize free and independent trade unions, so that you may free yourselves from drowning in a typhoon or your own making.
Friday July 13, 2007
The Statement of Workers of Iran Khodro about Osanloo’s Abduction
Respected Friends and Colleagues:
Mansour Osanloo, President of the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Company was abducted by several unknown assailants. The supporters of the capitalists keep attacking the shields of labor rights activists who pave the road to freedom. Now, after the capture of the University students, Mr. Mansour Osanloo, the head of the Vahed Syndicate was captured in broad daylight. An attack on Mansour Osanloo is an attack on the Iranian worker. An attack on Mansour Osanloo is an attack on the Syndicate. An attack on the Syndicate is an attack on the independent trade unions and workers’ freedom. Workers will not remain silent in the face of this bold attack to their rights. We workers of Iran Khodro condemn the capture of Mansour Osanloo and the University students, and demand their release as soon as possible.
Workers of Iran Khodro
July 11, 2007
The Protest Letter from Confederation of German Trade Unions to President of Iran about Mansour Osanloo’s Abduction
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DGB Bundesvorstand • Postfach 11 03 72 • 10833 Berlin
H.E.
Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency
Palestina Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Teheran
Islamic Republik of Iran
Hausanschrift:
Henriette-Herz-Platz 2
10178 Berlin
Postanschrift:
Postfach 11 03 72
10833 Berlin
I
NT
Telefon: 030 – 24 06 0-219
Telefax: 030 – 24 060-408
wolfgang.lutterbach@dgb.de
Abteilung für Internationale Unsere Zeichen Datum
Gewerkschaftspolitik WL/-- 16.07.07
Dear President,
On behalf of the Confederation of German Trade Unions, representing
6.5 million Workers in Germany, we strongly condemn the arrest of Mansour
Osanloo, the President of the Sandikaye Kargarane Sherkate Vahed
(Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company).
We have been informed by the Sherkate Vahed that its President, Mansour
Osanloo, was abducted and severely beaten up by unidentified assailants in
a Vahed Company bus at around 7pm on 10 July. Only on 12 July was his
family informed that Mr. Osanloo was being held in Evin prison. Given the
history of harassment against Mr. Osanloo, we believe that his trade union
activities are the reason behind his arrest, which is unacceptable in terms of
international law.
By virtue of its membership of the International Labour Organisation, the
Islamic Republic of Iran is bound to respect its core principles including the
principle of freedom of association. We were informed that your Ministry of
Labour has repeatedly reassured the International Trade Union
Confederation, which we are affiliated to, that it is committed to workers’
rights and dialogue with the international trade union movement.
We urge your Government to secure the immediate and unconditional
release of Mr. Osanloo.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Wolfgang Lutterbach
Head of Division of
International Trade Union Policy
The ITF Amman Office has received many messages of solidarity from unions in the region. Read the messages of solidarity for Mansour Osanloo and his union:
“We have been informed by the kidnapping of our brother Mansour Osanloo, President of the bus workers unions and we deeply condemned this act which its purpose is the denial of his right to free trade union activity. We demand the immediate release of brother Mansour as well as to respect the freedom of association, laws and international conventions. We condemn these practices that strike trade unions rights”.
Kalthoum Barkallah
Secretary of International Relations, Fédération générale des chemins de fer
tunisiens
(General Union of Railway Workers – Tunisia)
“The General Union for Transport Workers in Palestine deplores and condemns the barbaric and cowardly methods played by irresponsible bands who exercised practices against democracy and against the legitimate institutions by kidnapping our brother Mansour Osanloo. Hence, we demand the official parties to work on his immediate release so as to return to his family, relatives and work safely”.
Nasser Younes
President, General Union for Transport Workers, Palestine
“In the name of the Petrochemical union, we condemn and deplore this flagrant attack on our colleague Mansour Osanloo. We ask the Iranian government to get involved for the immediate release of our brother Mansour”.
Khaled Zyood
President, General Union of Petrochemicals, Jordan
“The Air Transport Union in Egypt condemned this act. We express our solidarity and our strong support to Mansour Osanloo and to his Union.
Mohamed Shahata
President, Air Transport Union, Egypt
“We, The Maritime Union in Egypt, denounce what happened to our brother Mansour Osanloo and we express our support to his family and his union.
Adel Al Sobhi
President, Maritime Union, Egypt
“We condemn this barbarian act which goes against work trade-union. We ask for the intervention of the government in order to release immediately our friend Mansour and who is responsible of his life”
George E. Turkieh
International Relations Coordinator, Lebanese Cabin Crew Association, Lebanon
“We, Air transport <¬15lace />Union in Lebanon, send our support to Mansour Osanloo’s Family as well as his trade union. We want to express our solidarity to them to this unqualified act. We really hope that our colleague will be released soon”.
Jebran Abu Heidar
Air Transport Union, Lebanon
“We have been informed of the shocking kidnapping of our brother
Mansour Osanloo. We express our support to the bus workers’ union in this
struggle and we demand the international parties to do all that is in its
capacity in order to release our colleague.”-Abdel Hamid Daraji
General Secretary, SNTF/UGTA (railway union), Algeria
“It’s unacceptable, this kidnapping is against the convention 87 and this is to stop the evolution of unions work. We, the UMT – FNTA, denounced this unbearable act and we send our support to Osanloo’s families and union”.
Mohamed Sardy
General Secretary, UMT – Fédération Nationale des Transports Aériens, Morocco
“In the name of all the railway workers affiliated to the Fédération Nationale du Transport du Rail – UMT (National Federation of Railway Transport), we denounced the kidnapping of Mansour Osanloo, President of the ITF – affiliated bus workers’ union. We consider this act as anti – trade union which touches all the International Convention which preserves trade union freedoms and our trade union rights. We require the immediate release of our colleague."
Mohamed Haytoum
General Secretary, UMT – Fédération Nationale du Transport du Rail, Morocco
“In the name of the Ports Workers' Union Confederation of the Moroccan Union of Work, we condemn what happen to our brother, Mansour Osanloo, and the injustice against the right of freedom of association and the union. We also express our solidarity with the Iranian bus workers’ union and Mansour’s family.”
- Said al Hairech
UMT - Union Syndicale des Travailleurs des Ports du Maroc, Morocco
A member of the Board of Directors of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus (Vahed) Company states that a judicial authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced that Mansour Osanloo’s abduction is a criminal case.
The Syndicate member, speaking with Radio farda adds, “We have discovered that the prosecutor’s office in Tehran has forwarded Mr. Osanloo’s family’s Complaint to the criminal branch.”
Mr. Ebrahim Madadi, the Vice President of the Syndicate had stated to Radio farda on July 11, 2007 that according to the announcement of the Judiciary branch, “no charge or arrest warrant has been issued for Mansour Osanloo.” According to Mr. Madadi, the judiciary officials have exhibited total ignorance of Mr. Osanloo’s present status or condition.
Previously, Mr. Osanloo’s wife and colleagues had reported that this labor activist was trying to get off a bus near his home when a number of unknown assailants stopped him and put him in a Peugeot automobile. Mr. Madadi added, “4 witnesses to Mr. Osanloo’s kidnapping stated that the assailants stated they were from the military forces but did not present any warrants or badges.”
Vahed Syndicate Statement about Osanloo’s Abduction
Syndicate Statement: We condemn Mr. Osanloo’s capture and demand his immediate release
Unknown assailants once again captured Mr. Mansour Osanloo, the head of the Board of Directors of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus (Vahed) Company
At approximately 7:30 pm on July 10, 2007, Mr. Mansour Osanloo, after performing his Syndicate duties and speaking with a number of bus drivers of the Vahed Company, Mr. Mansour Osanloo was headed home on a Vahed Bus. As the bus approached his house, a Dark Peugeot veered in front of the bus and blocked it at the corner of West Golbarg and Masileh Bakhtar. The passengers of the car, four or five individuals, stepped out of the vehicle and one of them jumped out of the driver’s side and into the bus where he held Mr. Osanloo’s arm and gave him blows with his fists. Mr. Osanloo was sitting next to the bus driver. The assailants pulled him out of the bus in a violent manner. Mr. Osanloo kept shouting out his name to the passengers and asking for help. The men resorted to lying and told the passengers Mr. Osanloo is a thief and that they are law enforcement. Then, in front of everyone’s disbelieving eyes, they brazenly forced him into the Peugeot and sped off to an unknown location. Immediately after his capture, his attorneys Dr. Mowlaie and Mr. Parviz Khorshidi as well as his wife, mother, and family members, made several inquiries into his whereabouts. These numerous inquiries have not had any positive results so far. The Tehran judicial authorities have said that no type of warrant or summons has been issued for Mr. Osanloo’s arrest, and this in itself makes the situation more dangerous. In addition, the illegal behavior and anonymity of the assailants and the bitter and frightening events of the recent past, we request all national authorities especially the judiciary’s head Ayatollah Shahroodi to do justice, and do everything in their power to avoid a repetition of past bitter events threatening Mr. Osanloo’s life and fate.
The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus (Vahed) Company, as an independent labor organization defending workers rights, protests this unbecoming act and severely condemns it. We request that all domestic and international trade union worker organizations especially ITUC, ITF and the other international organisatins such as the ILO and human and social rights activists to step up their efforts to safeguard Mr. Osanloo’s fate, as well as that of other Trade Union activists.
Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus (Vahed) Company
July 12, 2007
Protest Letter from Education International to President of Iran to Condemn Osanloo’s Abduction
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President Islamic Republic of Iran
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: 011-98-21-649-5880
Brussels, 11 July 2007
President Ahmadinejad,
I write to you on behalf of Education International (EI) to condemn the abduction of Mansour Osanloo, the President of the Sandikaye Kargarane Sherkate Vahed (Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company).
EI has been informed by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) that Mansour Osanloo was abducted by unidentified assailants as he was leaving a Vahed Company bus near his home at around 7pm on 10 July. Witnesses stated that he was beaten severely, as he was taken away in a metallic grey Peugeot to an undisclosed location.
During the week of 18 June 2007, I and other leaders of international trade unions from all regions of the world welcomed Mr. Osanloo at meetings in London and Brussels. We all pledged support to the Sherkat-e-Vahed trade union and Mr. Osanloo himself.
Following his abduction, EI is deeply concerned for the safety of Mr. Osanloo.
By virtue of its membership of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) the Islamic Republic of Iran is legally bound to respect its core principles including the principle of the freedom of association.
EI therefore joins the ITUC and ITF to urge your government to take every possible step to secure the immediate release of Mr Osanloo.
In addition to worries about the latest attack on Mr. Osanloo, EI is also concerned about the fate of the teacher representatives whose case is still reviewed by courts following the recent legitimate teacher protests. Teachers were protesting to uphold their right to a decent living wage. Teachers and their union representatives were merely requesting fair negotiations and social dialogue.
EI therefore urges you, Mr. President, to:
· Secure the immediate release Mr. Osanloo, ensure his safety and identify those responsible for his abduction;
· Secure the immediate and unconditional release of all teachers and their representatives detained in the context of the teacher protests;
· Open serious negotiations with the teachers’ representatives on their longstanding request for improved wages and respectable working conditions;
· Ensure that, in future, the right of teachers and workers’ organisations to exercise their activities and to hold meetings relating to the conditions of work and economic and social policy be respected.
EI would welcome a positive response on these requests, and will, in the meantime, continue to monitor the situation in Iran closely.
Sincerely yours,
Fred van
Leeuwen
General Secretary
·cc:
ITUC - ITF
ITF Report on Worldwide Unions Actions
World unions launch Osanloo fightback
11 July 2007
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The international trade union movement has moved quickly to force the Iranian Government to secure the release of Mansour Osanloo, the trade union leader who was last night assaulted and snatched from a bus by men believed to be state security agents.
Osanloo, the leader of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed), has resisted two years of victimisation, violence and intimidation designed to crush the union. Just last month he travelled to the UK and Brussels to brief audiences of trade unionists on the struggle he and his colleagues have sustained.
Recognising the need to act quickly to secure his release the ITF and ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) have taken the following action to bring pressure on the Iranian Government.
· They have jointly written to President Ahmadinejad, protesting against the attack.
· They have asked ILO (International Labour Organization) Director General Juan Somavia to help free Osanloo. ILO Executive Director Kari Tapiola today raised the matter with the Iranian Labour Attaché in Geneva.
· They have added this latest attack to their complaint to the ILO’s Committee on Freedom of Association against the Government of Iran.
· They have promised to mobilise trade unions internationally to shame the Government of Iran if Osanloo is not released today.
ITF General Secretary David Cockroft stated: “Three weeks ago we were applauding Mansour. One week ago we were successfully campaigning to have his deputy released from another unjustified arrest. This week we are profoundly worried about his physical safety and want to see Mansour freed and among his friends and family as quickly as possible.”
“We utterly condemn this latest cowardly mob attack on our friend and colleague, and urge the Government of Iran to wake up and deal with the elements within that have pulled off this latest act of repression.”
ITF First Report on Osanloo’s Abduction
July 10, 2007
The ITF is informed tonight that Mansour Osanloo, president of the Tehran Bus Workers Union is kidnapped by unidentified men around 7pmlocal time. His safety is unconfirmed after two hous of the incident. On behalf of its five million transport workers affiliated to the ITF, we condemn this cowardly act. We demand an immediate and unconditional release of Mansour Osanloo. We call upon the Global Unions and the wider civil society to raise their voices together to protest against this blatant violation of human and trade union rights and urge you to be ready for any further actions necessary to free Mansour Osanloo.
Madadi Information on Osanloo’s Case
After over 5 days since the arrest of Mansour Osanloo, President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Company, judicial authorities still will not charge him or announce the reason he is being detained. Four unknown men arrested Mr. Osanloo on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Although the judicial authorities feigned ignorance of his whereabouts upon the inquiries of his wife, brother, and colleagues, they finally announced on Friday, July 12, 2007 that he is in fact in Evin Prison. Meanwhile, the arrest and sustained imprisonment of Mr. Osanloo has created extended protests throughout the world by international labor organizations, Middle Eastern workers organizations, Asian and European as well as European Union government protests.
Ebrahim Madadi, the Vice President of the Vahed Syndicate stated in an interview with Radio Farda the latest information on Mr. Osanloo, “Mrs. Osanloo visited with the head of the Prisoners Organization on Saturday, July 14, 2007, and discussed the fact that his eye condition is an emergency and that he needs surgery immediately. He was to undergo eye surgery on Sunday, July 15, 2007.” The prosecutor gave a favorable promise regarding Mr. Osanloo’s eye condition.
Mr. Madadi pointed out that the Prosecutor and the head of the Prisoners Organization refuse to press any charges against Osanloo or to give a reason for his arrest. However, the Tehran prosecutor has stated that the Deputy Intelligence Service had issued an order for his arrest.
The judiciary representative Mr. Salar-Kia, responded to Mrs. Osanloo’s inquiry as to why they expressed ignorance of Mr. Osanloo’s whereabouts, stating that no one had asked him anything about anything. When asked why the head of the judiciary office stated that no warrants had been issued for the capture of Mr. Osanloo he stated, “I never said any such thing.”
The Vice President of the Vahed Syndicate also stated that the spouse and mother of Mr. Osanloo have not been able to meet him as of noon on Sunday July 15, 2007. Osanloo’s attorneys have also been unable to meet with him. The Judiciary has also not presented a valid reason for refusing Osanloo to meet with his attorneys.
From: http://www.radiofarda.com/ArticlePrint.aspx?id=402428
Statement of Vahed Syndicate about the Return of Mansoor Osanloo
The return of the Head of the Board of Directors of the Syndicate
Mr. Mansour Osanloo
Ushering the General Council of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus (Vahed) Company
With greetings to all respected colleagues,
As you our dear ones were informed previously, at the invitation of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Mr. Mansour Osanloo was sent by the Board of Directors as the representative of the Vahed Syndicate on June 13, 2007, to England and Belgium. After successful participation in the General Congress of global workers and focusing on the sessions of the Committee on Freedom of Association of the International Labor Organization in Geneva, he returned to our beloved country on June 22, 2007, at 9 am. At this time, and in the company of other Syndicate members, he is busily defending workers rights with his labor union activities.
We remind you that at this time the Company has illegally banned about 40 members of the Syndicate from work. The complaints of this group of workers are at various stages of adjudication at the Labor Department, the Courts, and other judicial offices.
Dear colleagues: as all experts on labor and rights would affirm, the right to form a union is among the most fundamental rights of workers, and the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus (Vahed) Company recognizes this right freely, which has luckily been affirmed in article 26 of the Constitution. We will continue our work in the way of defending the rightful compensation of our industrious workers of the Vahed Company.
After two years as the Syndicate President, we are on the brink of the second General becoming candidates to contact the below address for further information.
Onwards to preparation for the 2nd General Council of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus(Vahed) Bus Company!
Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburban Bus (Vahed) Company
July 7, 2007
Statement of Syndicate about the Gasoline Rationing
With greetings to all of our colleagues of the Tehran and Suburban Bus (Vahed) Company:
As all respected citizens are witnessing, gasoline rationing has caused an upsurge in difficult working conditions for transportation organizations such as metro and the Vahed Bus Company. In the midst of all this, the most difficult burden falls upon the shoulders of the drivers of the Vahed Company. This situation will worsen with the opening of the schools in October. On one hand, the inflation of prices for daily necessities, and on the other the skyrocketing increase in housing costs and rents, has made unfavorable living conditions much more prevalent than in years past, so much so that we hear more in the media about daily protests by workers. We are in a situation where Article 41 of the Labor Law, which stipulates that “the minimum wage should provide for a dignified living for one family”, has not only been completely flouted, but the poverty line for the year 1385 (last year) was announced at over $500 per month. Based on this, we drivers and workers of the Vahed Company request a 20% increase in pay as a result of the difficult working conditions and skyrocketing prices and demand that this money be remitted from the fund generated by savings in gasoline imports. We workers, especially the Drivers of the Vahed Company, with our earnest service to the general public, especially the less privileged, await a response from the authorities.
With fervent hopes to a dignified living for all Iranian workers!
Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburban Bus (Vahed) Company
July 7, 2007
Statement of Syndicate about the Trial
At last, after 27 months of delay in processing the complaints of victims of the unfortunate and unfair attack by the Islamic Labor Council and the Management of the Vahed Company (led by Akbar Eyvazzi and other repressive forces) upon the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburban Bus (Vahed) Company, on May 9, 2006, and which was supported by some Military and Intelligence forces, the challenging efforts of the defendants and their perseverance has paid off. On July 7, 2007, a hearing at the Revolutionary Court Branch 14 was held. The undue length in processing this case, the sudden and baffling relocation of the case from the General Prosecutorial Office in Vali Asr, Moniriyeh Square, to the Revolutionary Court, and other tangential issues related to this case, have captivated the attention of the Iranian workers and the world on one hand, and focused attention upon the case by legal organizations on the other. With all of these challenges, the defendants hope that the authorities will demonstrate distinguished, outstanding arbitration in this case.
Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburban Bus (Vahed) Company
July 6, 2007
