{"id":799,"date":"2018-05-20T00:56:25","date_gmt":"2018-05-19T23:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/codir.net\/?p=799"},"modified":"2018-05-20T00:56:25","modified_gmt":"2018-05-19T23:56:25","slug":"a-jailed-trade-union-leader-is-on-hunger-strike-in-iran-help-us-secure-his-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/codir.net\/?p=799","title":{"rendered":"A jailed trade union leader is on hunger strike in Iran. Help us secure his release"},"content":{"rendered":"
The TUC is demanding the immediate release of Esmail Adbi, jailed by the Iranian regime for defending workers’ rights.<\/span><\/div>\n
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The TUC is supporting an Amnesty International campaign for the immediate release of jailed Iranian teacher and trade union leader Esmail Adbi. Please support\u00a0this action<\/a>\u00a0and encourage your friends and workmates to do the same.<\/p>\n

We last wrote about Esmail\u00a0at the end of January<\/a>, when he was returned to jail after medical furlough.<\/p>\n

Since then President Trump\u2019s \u2018bull in a china shop\u2019 approach to international tensions has hogged the headlines, especially his decision to pull out of the nuclear safety deal with Iran last week.<\/p>\n

Amid the acrimony resulting from that move, it\u2019s important to remember the trade unionists and workers who are the victims of the Iranian regime.<\/p>\n

The International Trade Union Confederation classes\u00a0Iran<\/a>\u00a0as a \u2018level 5\u2019 country \u2013 the worst ranking for a non-failed state \u2013 because of its appalling human and trade union rights record.<\/p>\n

And people like Esmail Abdi are likely to suffer further if Trump carries out his threat to reimpose sanctions on the Iranian regime.<\/p>\n

Jailed for defending workers’ rights<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maths teacher Esmail was arrested in June 2015 on his way to the global conference for teacher trade unions in Canada.<\/p>\n

He was held in solitary confinement for 40 days without being charged, denied access to a lawyer, and sentenced to six years in jail after an unfair trial.<\/p>\n

Since 24 April, he has been on hunger strike to protest his appalling treatment in prison and the unjustified nature of his imprisonment, as well as the criminalisation of trade unions in Iran.<\/p>\n

Esmail has been denied contact with his family and lawyer since he went on hunger stike, while the brutal prison conditions were taking a toll on his health even before it began.<\/p>\n

TUC intervenes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Earlier this month, TUC general secretary Frances O\u2019Grady\u00a0wrote<\/a>\u00a0to the Iranian Ambassador in Britain to call for Esmail\u2019s release and for the Iranian authorities:<\/p>\n

\u201cto end the misuse of the criminal justice system against those who peacefully exercise their rights to freedom of expression and association, and we request that the Iranian authorities respect and protect the right of everyone to form and join the trade union of their choice, which is guaranteed under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), both of which Iran has ratified.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trade union solidarity<\/strong><\/p>\n

When TUC affiliate the NASUWT awarded Esmail its\u00a0International Solidarity Award<\/a>\u00a0this Easter,general secretary Chris Keates<\/strong>\u00a0called Esmail:<\/p>\n

\u201can 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. \u2026 Esmail\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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amnesty International have also made Esmail a \u2018prisoner of conscience\u2019. Now they are joining the TUC in calling for the Iranian authorities to release Esmail Abdi immediately and unconditionally.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, they are demanding that he has access to a qualified health professional who can provide health care in compliance with medical ethics.<\/p>\n

Please\u00a0support this campaign today<\/a>\u00a0and spread the word about Esmail\u2019s plight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n