Brussels, 9 March 2007: The ITUC and its European counterpart ETUC have addressed a strong protest to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadjinejad over the mass arrests of Iranian women demanding equal rights. 33 were arrested and imprisoned during a peaceful demonstration against the trial of 5 others accused of having held an "illegal demonstration" on 12 June 2006. While most of the women were subsequently released, and ordered not to participate in events to mark International Women’s Day, it is believed that 3 others remain in prison. Two of the detained women, who have multiple sclerosis, had reportedly been refused medical treatment by prison authorities. Several women journalists have also been arrested to prevent them travelling to India to attend an international training course. A further peaceful gathering calling for women’s rights, in Tehran on March 8, was violently dispersed by security forces, and at least 8 of the women arrested.

"Women in Iran face grave and systematic discrimination and violations of fundamental rights", said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder. "It is shameful that the Iranian authorities are not only perpetuating and deepening this discrimination, but that they also chose to take such repressive action to silence legitimate and peaceful protest on March 8, the very day that equality for women is the focus of world attention", he added.

Meanwhile, the Education International has also protested to the Iranian regime over the arrest and detention, at an undisclosed location, of two senior officials of the Teachers’ Trade Association of Iran on 7 March, and the arrest of a further 20 education union leaders. The teachers were involved in protests for decent living wages and improved living conditions (see repression of teachers in Iran).

Founded on November 1 2006, the ITUC represents 168 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 304 national affiliates.

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