Iran: Harassment of The Haft Tapeh Union’s Lawyer

On 9 December, the lawyer of the Haft Tapeh Union, an affiliate of the Global Union Federation IUF, Mr. Mohammad Olyaeifard was questioned in Tehran Revolutionary Court, on charges of “propaganda against the state”, “slandering the judiciary” and “publication of lies and agitating public opinion”. His case was rescheduled for 19 December.

Brussels, 11 December 2009: On 9 December, the lawyer of the Haft Tapeh Union, an affiliate of the Global Union Federation IUF, Mr. Mohammad Olyaeifard was questioned in Tehran Revolutionary Court, on charges of “propaganda against the state”, “slandering the judiciary” and “publication of lies and agitating public opinion”. His case was rescheduled for 19 December.

This is the latest in a series of attempts by the Iranian government to destroy the union, and reveals how the political authorities are prepared to use the judiciary to prevent the leaders of the union from receiving a fair trial after it sent them to prison in November.
“This prosecution of the union’s lawyer is completely unacceptable. It is nothing less than harassment intended to intimidate him and other lawyers into refusing to defend union cases” said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.

The ITUC and the IUF last week lodged a formal complaint with the ILO’s Committee on Freedom of Association, detailing Iranian government violations of the fundamental principles of freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. The ITUC is already party, with the Global Union Federation ITF to another complaint against the government of Iran concerning the Vahed Bus Drivers’ Union.

The leader of this union Mansour Ossanloo has just received the final verdict in his appeal against the decision by the authorities to terminate his employment. The decision issued by Branch 21 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on 21 October 2009 confirms his dismissal.

Meanwhile, the Iranian government continues it’s all-out attack against dissenting voices. On 7 December scores of protesters were beaten and detained during peaceful student-led demonstrations. Security forces - including the feared Basij volunteer militia - used batons and tear gas to attack the demonstrators. The number of protestors arrested is unknown, but the ITUC understands that at least one trade unionist, a woman, is amongst those detained.

The ITUC represents 175 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates. http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI

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

Photo: shaveshift