General secretary Dave Prentis writes to President Hassan Rouhani in wake of arrests following recent protests

Dave Prentis has called on the Iranian government to release protesters and trade unionists following recent unrest in the country.

The call came in a letter from the UNISON general secretary to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, expressing the union’s “deep concern over the Iranian government’s suppression of recent protests.”

More than 1,000 people have been arrested following the protests, and three have died in prison.

Noting that the Iranian people had “legitimate concerns” over issues such as high unemployment, the non-payment of wages, falling incomes and increasing costs for basic essentials, the union called for the immediate release of the protesters and “a full, impartial investigation” into the deaths in custody.

The letter also noted that workers’ rights continue to be denied by the government in Tehran.

“We are particularly concerned about the ban on independent trade unions and the imprisonment of many union leaders. including Reza Shahabi, treasurer of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company,” Mr Prentis wrote.

“UNISON urges the Iranian government to lift its ban on independent trade unions and release and drop the charges against all those who have been penalised for carrying out legitimate union activities.”

Mr Shahabi was jailed in 2010 on charges of “propaganda against the regime and conspiracy against national security”.

He was released on medical leave in late 2014, following campaigns around the world, but was ordered back to prison in November 2016 and again in August last year.

Please find the letter as below:

Dear President, 

Dr.Hassan Rouhani

Honourable President of Islamic Republic of Iran

The Presidency

Pasteur Street

Pasteur Square

Tehran

Islamic Republic of Iran

By email to: rouhani@csr.ir; media@rouhani.ir

Friday, 12 January, 2018

On behalf of UNISON’s 1.3 million members working in public services in the UK, I am writing to express our deep concern over the Iranian government’s suppression of recent protests.

We understand that these protests are largely driven by the legitimate concerns of Iranian people, particularly the young, about high unemployment, the non-payment of wages, declining incomes and the increasing cost of basic commodities.

According to reports, more than 1,000 people have been arrested following the protests, at least three of whom have subsequently died in Evin prison. UNISON calls on the Iranian government to release the protestors immediately and conduct a full, impartial investigation into those who have died during the protests and in detention, to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

UNISON continues to be concerned about the denial of workers’ rights in Iran and call on the Iranian government to guarantee freedom of association and protection for trade unionists and workers, in accordance with the International Labour Organisation core conventions.

We are particularly concerned about the ban on independent trade unions and the imprisonment of many union leaders including Reza Shahabi, Treasurer of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company. UNISON urges the Iranian government to lift its ban on independent trade unions, and release and drop the charges against all those who have been penalised for carrying out legitimate union activities.

Yours faithfully,

Dave Prentis

General Secretary

1. His Excellency Ayatullah Haajj Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran contact@leader.ir

His Excellency Mr Hamid Baeidinejad, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran iranemb.lon@mfa.gov.ir

Rt Hon. Boris Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs fcocorrespondence@fco.gov.uk