Brussels, 11 July 2007: The ITUC and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have today protested to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over the brutal beating and abduction of bus workers’ trade union leader Mansour Osanloo in the evening of 10 July. Osanloo, who addressed the ITUC General Council meeting on 21 June, was attacked by a group of men in plainclothes inside the bus that was taking him home in Tehran. The attackers, who had been following the bus, warned other bus passengers to keep away, severely beat Osanloo and forced him into their car. He was then driven away to an undisclosed location as they continued to beat him in the car. Given the history of Osanloo’s treatment by the Iranian security forces, there are strong reasons to suspect the involvement of the authorities, however the local police station refused to confirm or deny this to his family.

In a letter to President Ahmadinejad, ITF General Secretary David Cockroft and ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder called on him to track down those responsible for the assault and abduction, to secure Osanloo’s immediate release, and to ensure his future safety.

Osanloo and several of his colleagues in the Sandikaye Kargarane Sherkate Vahed (Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company) have been subjected to a campaign of harassment and intimidation by the Iranian security forces, including prison sentences, threats to their families and physical assault.

The ITUC is also bringing the case to the immediate attention of the International Labour Organisation, and calling on its affiliates worldwide to join the worldwide protest action against this latest violation of fundamental workers’ rights in Iran.

Founded on 1 November 2006, the ITUC represents 168 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 305 national affiliates.

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018.