{"id":760,"date":"2018-04-01T21:56:13","date_gmt":"2018-04-01T20:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/codir.net\/?p=760"},"modified":"2018-04-01T21:56:13","modified_gmt":"2018-04-01T20:56:13","slug":"jailed-iranian-teacher-wins-major-solidarity-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/codir.net\/?p=760","title":{"rendered":"Jailed Iranian teacher wins major solidarity award"},"content":{"rendered":"

1st April 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

Press release<\/strong><\/p>\n

For immediate use<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People\u2019s Rights (CODIR), has today welcomed the conferring of an International Solidarity Award upon a jailed Iranian trade unionist by one of the UK\u2019s major teaching unions.<\/p>\n

The award, which is given to trade unionists who have shown exceptional bravery promoting human rights and in fighting for the rights of trade union members, was awarded in absentia to jailed Iranian teacher Esmail Abdi, by the NASUWT at its conference today.<\/p>\n

Mr Abdi is leader of the Tehran branch of the Iran Teachers\u2019 Trade Association (ITTA) and was convicted of national security offences in February 2016, after organising peaceful protests in defence of teachers\u2019 pay and conditions of service in Iran.<\/p>\n

He was given a six-year prison sentence and although recently he was allowed to leave the notorious Evin Prison he was rearrested after only 11 days and taken back to custody.<\/p>\n

In making the award the union expressed regret that Mr Abdi could not be present to accept the award in person and reiterated its call for his release and that of all trade union activists unjustly imprisoned by the Iranian regime.<\/p>\n

The NASUWT stressed the importance of Abdi\u2019s contribution to the cause of children\u2019s rights in Iran, in arguing the case for every child to be entitled to a good quality education.\u00a0 The union recognised Abdi\u2019s role in highlighting the poor pay and working conditions of teachers in Iran and, in the face of significant pressure, seeking to organise to improve these.<\/p>\n

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cEsmail Abdi is an inspiration to teachers and trade unionists across the world, through his courage to stand up for trade union and human rights in the face of oppressive and harsh treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cEsmail has shown tremendous courage and fortitude. In making this award, NASUWT and its members wish to honour his courage and offer him hope and our solidarity and support in his tremendous struggle. Our deepest regret is that he will be unable to be with us in Birmingham to accept the award in person.<\/p>\n

\u201cEsmail\u2019s courage and determination to continue to fight for quality education in Iran, despite the terrible personal cost he has had to endure, is truly humbling.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe NASUWT is continuing to maintain solidarity with Esmail and with teachers in Iran, working with partners, including Amnesty International, to press for Esmail\u2019s unconditional release.\u201d<\/p>\n

As well as acknowledging the individual contribution of Esmail Abdi the NASUWT also acknowledged the importance of the role of the Iranian Teachers Association as a significant voice championing the rights of teachers and students.<\/p>\n

CODIR Assistant General Secretary, Jamshid Ahmadi, welcomed the award and stressed the importance of continuing to apply pressure to the Iranian government in order to support change inside Iran.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis important award will both boost the morale of Mr Abdi and his colleagues opposing oppression inside Iran and remind the Iranian regime that their actions are under international scrutiny\u201d, said Mr Ahmadi. \u201cMr Abdi has been unjustly imprisoned for almost three years, suffered intensive interrogation and has been denied access to his family or lawyer.\u00a0 The accusations levelled against Mr Abdi are for activities which are not even illegal under Iranian law.\u00a0 There are many violations of human rights in Iran but this is one of the most flagrant.\u201d<\/p>\n

In making the International Solidarity Award the NASUWT assured Mr Abdi that the union would continue to work with other unions, human rights organisations and the wider international community to press the Iranian authorities to quash his unjust conviction.\u00a0 The union vowed to continue to show its support and solidarity with the teachers of Iran.<\/p>\n

CODIR will continue to work with the trade union and labour movement in the UK to highlight the plight of those unjustly imprisoned for trade union and human rights activity in Iran.<\/p>\n

ENDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact Information for CODIR:-<\/strong><\/p>\n

Postal Address:
\nB.M.CODIR
\nLondon
\nWC1N 3XX
\nUK
\nWebsite: www.codir.net<\/a>
\nE-mail: codir_info@btinternet.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Further information on CODIR<\/strong><\/p>\n

CODIR is the Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People\u2019s Rights.\u00a0 It has been established since 1981 and has consistently campaigned to expose human and democratic rights abuses in the Islamic Republic of Iran.<\/p>\n

CODIR has worked closely with the trade union movement in the UK and internationally, the peace movement, all major political parties and Amnesty International to press the case for an end to torture in Iran\u2019s prisons.<\/p>\n

CODIR has published Iran Today, its quarterly journal, since 1981, explaining the latest developments in Iran and the most effective way that the British public opinion could demonstrate its solidarity with the people of Iran.<\/p>\n

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