Irene Khan,

General Secretary, Amnesty International,

1 Easton Street
London
WC1X 0DW , UK

Fax number: +44-20-79561157

Re: Request for Urgent Action to save Mahmoud Salehi’s life

Dear Ms. Irene Khan,

As you are well aware of, the one-year prison sentence for Mahmoud Salehi, a prominent labour activist in Iran and a representative of bakery workers in city of Saqez, who was arrested following a May Day in event in 2004 and after numerous trials was finally sentenced to one year imprisonment and a three year suspended prison sentence, was going to end on Farvardin 4^th, 1387 (March 23, 2008).  However, Mahmoud Salehi was taken from Sanandaj Prison to branch 4 of the department of justice in Sanandaj on March 17, 2008. After making Mahmoud waiting for hours, they ordered a temporary arrest against him. They charged Mahmoud with communication and contacts with outside prison and issuing solidarity messages such as one to those on hunger strike on Tir 27^th 1386 (July 18, 2007) and also in support of freedom and equality seeking university students. Immediately after this unjust order of arrest, Mahmoud went on dry hunger-strike to protest the violation of his rights. He has refused taking his vital prescribed medications and has announced that he will continue his total strike until he is freed from prison.

According to the latest reports, Mahmoud’s blood pressure has been at maximum 16 and minimum 12. If his minimum and maximum blood pressures get closers or evens, his remaining kidney would fail completely and his life would be seriously endangered.

We, members of the Committee in Defense of Mahmoud Salehi, who are activists in Iran , are asking Amnesty International as well as Doctors without Border and labour unions and human rights organizations to increase pressures on Iranian authorities to immediately release Salehi and facilitate his treatment effectively and urgently. As the Committee in Defense of Mahmud Salehi, we hold the authorities of the Iranian government responsible for Salehi’s life. They must be hold accountable and liable for anything that might happen to Mahmoud.

Sincerely,

Committee in Defense of Mahmoud Salehi

March 20, 2008 (Farvardin 1^st, 1387)

cc: International Trade Union Confederation

Doctors without Border [Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)]

International Transport Workers’ Federation

Labour and human rights organizations

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and their affiliates along with colleagues of the Global Unions Federations are organizing an international action day on March 6^th for workers’ rights in Iran and the freedom of Mansour Osanloo and me (Mahmoud Salehi). For my part, I gracefully appreciate such militant actions.

There is no avoidance of the struggle for the creation of independent workers’ organizations!!

Workers’ movement has grown in the context of aggravation of economic crisis, factory close downs, mass dismissal of workers, excessive increase of inflation that lowered the working people’s purchasing power, and generally widening of the class gap… as the result of all this Workplaces have turned into a battle field of class struggle for workers in order to meet their demands. Worker activists were raised and taken their roles within such struggles.

The close relationship between these fed-up masses and progressive workers has helped labour activists to adapt their views and behaviors to the realities of life and struggles of workers. Consequently, they have conveyed the proper ways of thinking and acting towards mass workers. Living and working with their co-workers, activists are telling them that the only way out of this terrifying misery, from poverty and starvation, from unemployment, from collective dismissal, and so on, is to fight with the capitalist system and to organize independent workers’ organizations. They tell their colleagues that an independent worker’s organization will empower them against the harsh onslaught of capitalism; that with their labour organization, they will be in a better position in their battle with capitalists; that they can set their wages up from a powerful position. Through their independent organizations, workers can establish the achievements of their struggle step by step.

Dear honorable and hard-working colleagues and fellow workers!

As the result of the efforts of truthful activists of labour movement, international rights’ organizations are now recognizing us as a working class with legitimate demands. As one of the labour activists, who is imprisoned in this capitalist country, I am proud to see such a day in the name of workers in Iran because I now know that the world’s working class has never easily accepted the imprisonment of these activists and has always fought for their freedom. They will not let the persecution and imprisonment of workers to become an obstacle or barrier in their rightful struggle.

On March 6^th, I will be joyful, even behind the bars of my cell, dreaming of unity and solidarity amongst workers. At this day, workers in Iran should be cheerful while their enemies would grieve!

I will see myself among you, arm in arm, by your side and fighting with you; and I, along with you, will emphasis that there is no avoidance of the struggle for the creation of independent workers’ organizations!

Mahmoud Salehi- Central Prison of the City of Sanandaj

March 04, 2008

Global Action Day - 6 March 2008

Campaign Inbox

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5 March

ITF Worldwide Update (3) >>

ITF media releases
* Mass support for Osanloo release: UK events >>
* World support for Osanloo release >>
* ITF puts spotlight on Iranian ships in defence of jailed union leader >>

Joint message by the ITUC, ITF and Amnesty International >>
(français) (español) (Arabic) (Farsi)

Leaflet by ACV-Transcom >>

Protest letter by CFDT, CGT Transports, CGT Cheminots and FO, France >>

Statement by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia >>

Protest letter by the Maritime Union of New Zealand >>

New Zealand unions media release >>

Protest letter by the AFL-CIO >>

Posters by Australian unions >> (poster 1) >> (poster 2)

Teamsters Canada lobbies parliamentarians >>

BWI web story >>

RMT confirms leafleting on 6 March, together with the TUC and other transport unions, at several stations in Great Britain from 07:30-09:00 >>

Worldwide update

Details of the worldwide plans for 6 March are now available.
Click here to read the text >>

(last updated, 5 March 2008)

The planned actions by the unions include:

* A protest at or a visit to the Iranian Mission is planned in Amman, Bangkok, Basra, Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, Casablanca, Geneva, Hong Kong, Hyderabad, Istanbul, Jakarta, Kiev, London, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, New Delhi, Oslo, Pretoria, Sanaa, Seoul, Stockholm, The Hague, Tokyo, Tunis and Wellington.

* A mass rally or march is planned in Conakry, Jakarta, Lahore, London, Mumbai, Pretoria, Sanaa, Seoul, Sydney, Toronto, Vilnius and the West Bank.

* Leafleting or information exhibition is planned in Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, Bangkok, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Tokyo as well as the railway border points between Spain-France, France-Italy, France-Luxembourg- Germany, France-UK, Italy-Switzerland, Italy-Austria, Italy-Slovenia.

* Lobbying the government is planned in Austria, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Germany, Ethiopia, France, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Korea, Kuwait, Lithuania, New Zealand, Portugal and Romania.

* In the meantime, ITF Inspectors are visiting Iranian vessels in many countries including Australia, Belgium, Estonia, France, Great Britain, India, Korea and Taiwan.

For ideas on what you can do to support the campaign, click here >>

The ITUC and the ITF are organising a global action day on 6 March 2008 to express our solidarity with the Iranian workers once again. We want Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi released immediately and unconditionally from prison. Their health conditions are deteriorating.

view larger image

We also demand that fundamental workers' rights be respected in Iran, in accordance with the ILO core conventions. The imprisonment of Osanloo and Salehi are not isolated cases in Iran. 9 education workers were sentenced to 90 days in prison recently. The Iranian authorities claim they are "threats to the national security" although in reality, it is genuine trade union activities they want to crush.

Oppression of the independent workers' movement in Iran is escalating. That is why the global unions, together with the human rights activists, wish to send a strong message to the Iranian government. 6 March falls two weeks prior to the Iranian New Year and the parliamentary elections.

What you can do: 

We want you to send our strong message to the Iranian government as well as to raise awareness of the public and build union activism. Click here to read our Campaign Guidelines.

Register your participation and request campaign materials

Please use the following online form in order to register your participation, request campaign materials and let us know your planned activities for the Action Day. You can also order badges and stickers.

Online petition

LabourStart is running a joint online petition with us.  Click here to sign your name!

What’s New?

Update yourself with the latest developments of the Action Day as well as on our Iran Campaign >>

Campaign Materials

The following campaign materials can be downloaded for use on the Action Day.

• Joint Message (ITUC - ITF - Amnesty International) (PDF)
  (français) (español) (Arabic) (Farsi)
  

• Campaign Guidelines (PDF)
  (français) (español)
  
  
• Free Osanloo Campaign Poster (PDF)
  (français) (español)
  
  
• Free Salehi Campaign Poster (PDF)
  (français) (español)

• Campaign Leaflet (PDF) - English only

• Campaign Updates (PDF)
  Number 1 - November 2007
  Number 2 - December 2007

• Union solidarity letter (PDF)
  For use by ITF inspectors who visit Iranian shipping company vessels.  The text can be amended by unions to send to the Iranian government.
  
  
• Photo archive
  Do you need a photograph for your publication?
  We have many pictures that are archived on Flickr.
  
  
• Freedom Will Come – The Story of Mansour Osanloo
  This film promotes the international campaign launched by the ITF and ITUC in order to seek the release of Mansour Osanloo from prison.

Campaign Links

View links to websites with information about the Free Osanloo Campaign.

February 7, 2008

Ms. Louise Arbour

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Palais Wilson
52 rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland 

RE: Mahmoud Salehi

Dear Ms. Louise Arbour;

On January 28, 2008, my spouse, Mahmoud Salehi, a well-known labour activist and political prisoner, was taken to the government’s medical examiner for the second time in recent months. It seemed that it had been decided that doctors, including the hearth and kidney specialists, at the Tohid hospital in city of Sanandaj , were going to make formal recommendations regarding Mahmoud’s health. These physicians have reported a number of times that Mahmoud’s only kidney is losing its functions and that has caused asthma, hearth problems, fluctuating blood pressure, dizziness, vessel clogging and the clogging of the hearth’s vessel, extreme weakness or fatigue, kidney inflammation, and many other dangerous side-effects. As a result, he requires immediate treatment. Thus they think he should stay in hospital.

My husband has been imprisoned because of his efforts to organize an independent May Day event. This is totally unjust. A big campaign, which I am a part of as well, have been actively advocating that organizing an independent Labour Day is a basic right and the authorities should not keep Mahmoud in prison. However, all our efforts and that of international labour and human rights organizations have not changed the decision of the judiciary authorities and my partner is still in prison. Therefore, we all were hoping that the official medical examiners would check him up in an objective and professional manner, according to Boghrat Oath (ethical code for physicians), and would confirm other doctors’ recommendations and recommend his release from hospital due to his serious health conditions. But that was a false hope. The official medical examiners are employees of the state and a part of the judiciary and security system of the government. Consequently, they denied all other doctors’ recommendation and decided that Mahmoud should stay in prison because they think he is not in life threatening situation.

I contacted these medical examiners and protested their decisions. I reminded them that not only the physicians at the Tohid Hospital but also the prison’s doctors have reported that Mahmoud’s situation is very serious. They, despite having all these reports, responded that the advise of other physicians are not important to them. I asked them how I could formally appeal their decision. The chief medical examiner, who knows well they are protected by the judiciary system, told me that I could go to the court. Thus he indicated that his office does not have any appeal system.  I approached the Deputy Prosecutor. He spoke with me as if he was a medical doctor, confirming the medical examiner’s decision and adding that doctors in Tohid hospital made a mistake by transferring Mahmoud to the CCU section of the hospital. He also added that no one has ever filed a complaint against the government’s medical examiners. He basically suggested that filing a complaint are not going to go, anywhere otherwise others would have done it in the past 28 years. He also unsuccessfully wanted to prevent me from going to the judiciary. At the judiciary, once again, it was proved to me that there is no one there to be concerned and that no wonder the medical examiner was so confident any complaints against them would be futile.  Therefore instead of launching a complaint, I asked the Deputy Prosecutor to allow a temporary leave for Mahmoud according to their regulations. He responded that my husband is a security prisoner and is not entitled to any prison leave. The term “security prisoner” is used in Iran for political prisoners.

Now, through this letter, I am asking you, based on the universal human rights, to call for the immediate freedom of my husband, Mahmoud Salehi; or, as a minimum, please pressure Iranian authorities to allow a specialist and ethical and independent examination of Mahmoud’s health. At the above mentioned offices, doctors are acting as prison guards and prison guards as doctors. Given such unjust situation, the human rights of my husband, me and my children will not be realised unless there are more protests.

I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Najibeh Salehzadeh

cc:

The United Nations Human Rights Council

Amnesty International (AI);

International Committee of the Red Cross;

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (Doctors Without Borders)

International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

Other relevant labour and human rights organizations

Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader,
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@leader.ir

21 December 2007

Mahmoud Salehi – Release on humanitarian grounds

Your Excellency,

On behalf of The Swedish Trade Union Confederation, Swedish LO, I request you to take urgent action to ensure that Mahmoud Salehi’s many health problems be properly diagnosed and that he be seen by qualified specialist health professionals and provided with appropriate medical treatment outside prison.

We have been informed by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) that Mahmoud Salehi, spokesperson for the Organisational Committee to Establish Trade Unions, was admitted to Tohid Hospital in the city of Sanandaj, unconscious, on 11 December, after having collapsed repeatedly in prison between 4 - 10 December. We know that Salehi has long-term medical concerns. We wish to bring to your attention the fact that he suffers from chronic kidney disease, as a result of which he required dialysis. He is also said to suffer from a heart disorder. Most recently, it was reported that he has grave intestinal edema or swelling that may be connected with his renal disease. Following his admission to hospital he received a brain scan.

This revealed that blood vessels in his brain have been damaged. We deplore the fact that the authorities took him back to jail in such a critical condition.

We would like to point out that no worker should be imprisoned for his/her trade union activities and whilst we welcome the recent release of Ebrahim Madadi and Reza Dehgan from prison, we cannot let Salehi's health conditions deteriorate without voicing our grave concerns. This latest development has been the subject of worldwide attention and many organisations are deeply disturbed with the lack of humanitarian treatment by the Iranian authorities.

We once again stress that Mahmoud Salehi must be released immediately on humanitarian grounds or at least be given adequate medical care outside prison urgently. Given the circumstances, Salehi cannot stay in harsh prison facilities for the remaining time of his sentence until next March without serious implications on his health and at great risk to his life. We therefore appeal to you to show mercy and release him on humanitarian grounds, or pardon him.  

Yours sincerely
THE SWEDISH TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION

Anders Larsson
International secretary

http://cupe.ca/news/Help_release_ill_Ira

Help release ill Iranian union leader

Jailed Iranian trade union leader Mahmoud Salehi is facing an acute medical emergency. Amnesty International and the global trade union movement are pressing Iranian authorities to release him or protect his health. CUPE was part of a joint action in October to support Salehi’s fellow union leader Mansour Ossanlu. To assist in the action to release Salehi, go to . For more on the situation in Iran, visit www.workers-iran.org .

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=386

Jailed Iranian trade unionist requires urgent medical treatment

Mahmoud Salehi has long suffered persecution by the Iranian authorities, spending several periods in prison because of their legitimate and peaceful activities as trade union activists and human rights defenders. He began his sentence on 9 April 2007. Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience and is concerned for his health.

Mahmoud Salehi has long-term medical concerns. A request by his doctor in May 2007 that he be accorded specialist treatment outside the prison has been ignored. He suffers from chronic kidney disease, for which he requires dialysis. He is also said to suffer from a heart disorder. This month (December 2007) it was reported that Salehi has grave intestinal edema or swelling that may be connected with his renal disease.

Health fears
Mahmoud Salehi, spokesperson for the Organisational Committee to Establish Trade Unions, has long-term medical concerns. He was reportedly transferred briefly to hospital, unconscious, on 11 December, after repeatedly collapsing in prison between 4-10 December. During an earlier hospitalisation, on or around 4 December, the authorities placed restraints on his bed. He may not be receiving adequate medical care.

A May 2007 request by his doctor that he be accorded specialist treatment outside the prison has been ignored. He suffers from chronic kidney disease, as a result of which he requires dialysis. He is also said to suffer from a heart disorder and has been returned to prison where he remains.

In December 2007 it was reported that Salehi has grave intestinal edema or swelling that may be connected with his renal disease. His wife, Najibeh Salehzadeh is reported to have said on 18 December that:

“…the physical health of my partner is extremely severe. One of his kidneys has stopped working and because of being deprived of proper medical treatment the other kidney is losing its functions. His blood pressure fluctuates and his blood sugar is surging. He falls unconscious about twice daily. The lack of treatment of his kidney has affected his heart as well. His feet and legs are swollen and the excessive injections of tranquilizers have seriously endangered his well-being….”

Background
Following his admission to Tohid (also known as Towhid) Hospital in the city of Sanandaj, Kordestan province, Mahmoud Salehi received a brain scan. This revealed that blood vessels in his brain have been damaged.

Mahmoud Salehi was among 20-30 prisoners forcibly moved on 4 December from one section to another in Sanandaj Central Prison. Given very little time to collect personal items, Mahmoud required more time than other prisoners to comply with the order because of his poor health. As a result of his perceived slowness he was insulted and, according to reports, a prison guard threatened to kill him. Mahmoud experienced raised blood pressure, as a likely consequence of the stress he had experienced during his transfer between prison sections, and he was taken to Tohid Hospital on or around 4 December, where he was restrained to his bed and administered tranquilisers prior to his return to prison, the date of which is not known to Amnesty International.

Mahmoud Salehi has been denied visits from his lawyer and family. His family, who live 400km from Sanandaj, have been able to contact him by telephone. He was arrested after a peaceful demonstration to celebrate May Day 2004. In November 2005 he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and three years' internal exile in the city of Ghorveh, Kordestan. At his trial, the prosecutor reportedly cited his trade union activities as evidence against him, and referred to a meeting he had held with officials from the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) - now reconstituted as the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) - in April 2004, shortly before the May Day demonstrations.

His conviction was overturned on appeal, but after a retrial he was sentenced on 11 November 2006 to four years’ imprisonment for "conspiring to commit crimes against national security". He was free until the appeal hearing on 11 March, when his sentence was reduced to a three-year suspended prison sentence and one year’s imprisonment, which commenced with his imprisonment on 9 April 2007.

Mahmoud Salehi has long suffered persecution by the Iranian authorities, spending several periods in prison because of their legitimate and peaceful activities as trade union activists and human rights defenders. He began his sentence on 9 April 2007. Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience and is concerned for his health.

Mahmoud Salehi has long-term medical concerns. A request by his doctor in May 2007 that he be accorded specialist treatment outside the prison has been ignored. He suffers from chronic kidney disease, for which he requires dialysis. He is also said to suffer from a heart disorder. This month (December 2007) it was reported that Salehi has grave intestinal edema or swelling that may be connected with his renal disease.

Mahmoud Salehi was hospitalized and his health condition is serious.

PUBLIC                                      

AI Index:  MDE 13/150/2007             

18 December 2007

UPDATE

Further Information on UA 176/07 (MDE 13/082/2007, 6 July 2007)/ Prisoner of conscience/ health concern/

New concern: Ill-treatment

IRAN                                

Mahmoud Salehi (m), trade union leader

Mahmoud Salehi, spokesperson for the Organisational Committee to Establish Trade Unions, was reportedly admitted to hospital, unconscious, on 11 December, after repeatedly collapsing in prison between 4-10 December. During an earlier hospitalisation, on or around 4 December, the authorities placed restraints on his bed. He may not be receiving adequate medical care.

Mahmoud Salehi, whom Amnesty International believes is a prisoner of conscience, has long term medical concerns. A May 2007 request by his doctor that he be accorded specialist treatment outside the prison has been ignored. He suffers from chronic kidney disease, as a result of which he required dialysis. He is also said to suffer from a heart disorder. In December 2007 it was reported that he has grave intestinal edema or swelling that may be connected with his renal disease.

Following his admission to Tohid (also known as Towhid) Hospital in the city of Sanandaj, Kordestan province, Mahmoud Salehi received a brain scan. This revealed that blood vessels in his brain have been damaged. His wife, Najibeh Salehzadeh is reported to have said on 18 December that “…the physical health of my partner is extremely severe. One of his kidneys has stopped working and because of being deprived of proper medical treatment the other kidney is losing its functions. His blood pressure fluctuates and his blood sugar is surging. He falls unconscious about twice daily. The lack of treatment of his kidney has affected his heart as well. His feet and legs are swollen and the excessive injections of tranquilizers have seriously endangered his well-being….”

Mahmoud Salehi was among 20-30 prisoners forcibly moved on 4 December from one section to another in Sanandaj Central Prison. Given very little time to collect personal items, Mahmoud Salehi required more time than other prisoners to comply with the order because of his poor health. As a result of his perceived slowness he was insulted and, according to reports, a prison guard threatened to kill him. Mahmoud Salehi experienced raised blood pressure, as a likely consequence of the stress he had experienced during his transfer between prison sections, and he was taken to Tohid Hospital on or around 4 December, where he was restrained to his bed and administered tranquilisers prior to his return to prison, the date of which is not known to Amnesty International.

Mahmoud Salehi has been denied visits from his lawyer and family. His family, who live 400km from Sanandaj, have been able to contact him by telephone.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Mahmoud Salehi was arrested after a peaceful demonstration to celebrate May Day 2004. In November 2005 he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and three years' internal exile in the city of Ghorveh, Kordestan. At his trial, the prosecutor reportedly cited his trade union activities as evidence against him, and referred to a meeting he had held with officials from the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) - now reconstituted as the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) - in April 2004, shortly before the May Day demonstrations. His conviction was overturned on appeal, but after a retrial he was sentenced on 11 November 2006 to four years’ imprisonment for "conspiring to commit crimes against national security". He was free until the appeal hearing on 11 March, when his sentence was reduced to a three-year suspended prison sentence and one year’s imprisonment, which commenced with his imprisonment on 9 April 2007.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Using your own words, please choose a few of the suggestions below to create a personal appeal and send it as quickly as possible:

- urging prison authorities to ensure that Mahmoud Salehi’s ill health be properly diagnosed as a matter of urgency, and that he be seen by qualified specialist health professionals where relevant, and provided with appropriate medical treatment.

- reminding prison authorities that according to Rules 33 and 34 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners chains or irons shall not be used as restraints and that other instruments of restraints should be used only when and as long as strictly necessary;

- calling on judicial authorities to provide information about the reasons for the imprisonment of Mahmoud Salehi;

- expressing concern that Mahmoud Salehi appears to have been incarcerated for what appears to be his peaceful trade union activities;

- urging that, as a prisoner of conscience detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association, the authorities to release Mahmoud Salehi immediately and unconditionally;

- reminding the authorities to ensure that he has ongoing and regular access to his lawyers and families;

- reminding the authorities of their obligations under the ICCPR, Article 22 (1) of which provides for the right to form and join trade unions, and also Iran’s obligations under Convention 87 (freedom of association) and 98 (right to organise) of the International Labour Organization, compliance with which is expected as a condition of Iran’s membership of the ILO.

APPEALS TO:

Leader of the Islamic Republic:

His Excellency

Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei

The Office of the Supreme Leader

Islamic Republic Street

Shahid Keshvar Doust Street

Tehran

Islamic Republic of Iran

Email: info@leader.ir

Salutation: Your Excellency

Head of the Judiciary:

Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi

Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh

Office of the Head of the Judiciary

Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave.

South of Serah-e Jomhouri

Tehran 1316814737

Islamic Republic of Iran

Email: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)

Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:

President:

His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

The Presidency

Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection

Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir or via website: www.president.ir/email

Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran:

His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani

Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh

(Office of the Head of the Judiciary), Pasteur St.,

Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri

Tehran 1316814737, Iran

Fax: 011 9821 3390 4986 (may be difficult to reach)

Email: fsharafi@bia-judiciary.ir  (In the subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani) or int_aff@judiciary.ir (In the subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)

Mr Seyed Mahdi Mohebi

Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy for the Islamic Republic of Iran

245 Metcalfe Street

Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2K2

Fax: (613) 232-5712

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY ONCE AGAIN

PUBLIC                                                                                                         AI Index:  MDE 13/150/2007                    

                                                                                                                                  18 December 2007

Further Information on UA 176/07 (MDE 13/082/2007, 6 July 2007) – Prisoner of conscience/ health concern New concern: Ill-treatment                                                             

PRESS RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: Friday 21 December 2007

IRAN: TRADE UNION LEADER COLLAPSES IN PRISON

Amnesty International demands the immediate release of Mahmoud Salehi

Amnesty International today called for immediate release of an Iranian trade union leader who was rushed to hospital after collapsing in prison.

Amnesty International has received reliable reports that Mahmoud Salehi, a spokesperson for the Organisational Committee to Establish Trade Unions, was taken unconscious to Tohid hospital in Sanandaj on 11 December, after repeatedly collapsing in prison between 4-10 December as a result of his health problems.

Salehi has a long-term history of kidney and heart complaints. In May 2007, his doctor made a request asking for Salehi to receive specialist treatment. That request continues to be ignored.

Amnesty International regards Salehi as a prisoner of conscience and has ongoing concerns for his well-being.

The case is the latest example of the Iranian authorities continual disregard for the health of prisoners.

Following his admission to the hospital, Salehi received a brain scan. This revealed that blood vessels in his brain have been damaged.

His wife, Najibeh Salehzadeh, said:

“The physical health of my partner is extremely severe. One of his kidneys has stopped working and because of being deprived of proper medical treatment the other kidney is losing its functions. His blood pressure fluctuates and his blood sugar is surging.

“He falls unconscious about twice daily. The lack of treatment of his kidney has affected his heart as well. His feet and legs are swollen and the excessive injections of tranquilizers have seriously endangered his well-being.”

Shane Enright, Amnesty International UK’s Trade Union Campaigns Manager, added:

“Mahmoud Salehi’s life is at risk. He urgently needs proper and sustained treatment outside prison. The Iranian government must release him now.

“Amnesty will work tirelessly with our partners in the international trade union movement to secure the safety and freedom of Salehi and other jailed trade unionists and to challenge this callous and cruel disregard of Iran ’s humanitarian obligations..”

Background:

·         Mahmoud Salehi was arrested after a peaceful demonstration to celebrate May Day 2004.

·         In November 2005 he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and three years’ internal exile in the city of Ghorveh , Kordestan.. At his trial, the prosecutor reportedly cited his trade union activities as evidence against him, and referred to a meeting he had held with officials from the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) – now reconstituted as the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) – in April 2004, shortly before the May Day demonstrations. His conviction was overturned on appeal, but after a retrial he was sentenced on 11 November 2006 to four years’ imprisonment for “conspiring to commit crimes against national security”. He was free until the appeal hearing on 11 March, when his sentence was reduced to a three-year suspended prison sentence and one year’s imprisonment, which commenced with his imprisonment on 9 April 2007.

·         Mahmoud Salehi was among 20-30 prisoners forcibly moved on 4 December from one section to another in Sanandaj Central Prison. Given very little time to collect personal items, Mahmoud Salehi required more time than other prisoners to comply with the order because of his poor health. As a result of his perceived slowness he was insulted and, according to reports, a prison guard threatened to kill him. Mahmoud Salehi experienced raised blood pressure, as a likely consequence of the stress he had experienced during his transfer between prison sections, and he was taken to Tohid Hospital on or around 4 December, where he was restrained to his bed and administered tranquilisers prior to his return to prison, the date of which is not known to Amnesty International.

·         Mahmoud Salehi has been denied visits from his lawyer and family.

ENDS

Amnesty International UK media information:

Niall Couper: 020 7033 1549, niall.couper@amnesty.org.uk

Neil Durkin: 020 7033 1547, neil.durkin@amnesty.org.uk

Out of hours: 07721 398984, www.amnesty.org.uk

date: 21 December 2007

embargo: for immediate release

TUC calls for action to save the life of Iranian trade unionist Mahmoud Salehi

The TUC, along with other human rights organisations, is today (Saturday) demanding proper medical treatment and a pardon for Mahmoud Salehi, a bakery workers' representative from Saqez who has been in prison since 2004 and suffers from a serious kidney disease.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Amnesty International, LabourStart, the International Union of Foodworkers (IUF), the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) are calling for action now because Mahmoud Salehi's health is deteriorating and becoming critical. The European Union has also expressed concern about his imprisonment and medical condition.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'There is genuine reason to fear for Mahmoud Salehi's life. No trade unionist should have to suffer what he and his family have suffered. Mahmoud requires urgent medical attention and access to his family.

'He shouldn't be in jail at all and the TUC, together with trade unionists all over the world, call on the Iranian government to stop this inhumane treatment now.'

The Iranian Government has recently freed Ebrahim Madadi of the Vahed bus workers' union and Reza Dehgan of the union of building, painters and decoration workers on bail - partly because of international pressure. However, four further trade unionists - Ebrahim Gohari from the Vahed bus workers' union and Mohsen Hakimi, Alireza Asghari and Hossein Gholami, have recently been arrested.

Brendan Barber continued: 'By keeping up the pressure, we can help to protect Mahmoud Salehi and his trade union colleagues by showing the Iranian Government that they are being watched around the world. It is vital that Iran's shocking human and trade union rights record is kept in the spotlight. It will show trade unionists in Iran that they are not alone and ultimately help to force their release.

'The TUC calls for the release of all those Iranian trade unionists imprisoned for their trade union activities.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- To find out more about Mahmoud Salehi go to www.tuc.org.uk/salehi

- To take action immediately, go to http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=386.

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth M: 07921 236 972 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 21 Dec 2007

From Members of the Social Democrates

Party of Sweden

Mahmoud's Life is in Dangar":

To labour and human rights organizations

I am writing this letter to thank you all for your efforts to help free my dear partner, Mahmoud Salehi. You might have been informed that the health condition of Mahmoud is getting worse on a daily basis. The judicial and intelligent authorities, despite knowing that one of his kidneys doesn’t work and the other hardly functions, have deprived Mahmoud of any appropriate medical treatment.  By doing this, they are practically torturing him to death. This way, they intend to break his solid resolve in defense of workers’ rights in Iran. Since Mahmoud was arrested on April 9^th, till now, the judicial authorities have been frustrating all efforts of Mahmoud’s lawyer, me and the freedom-loving and pro workers’ rights people to release and medically treat Mahmoud. They intend to show to all labour activists that their activities for the realization of workers’ rights and against capitalists would cost them greatly. They are vainly taking the advantage of Mahmoud’s illness to put more pressures on him in order to stop him from organizing workers.  They are hoping this way they could discourage other labour activists in their efforts in organizing independent labour organizations. Mahmoud is, as always, firm in his justice seeking stance.  While I am praising his feisty spirit, I am compelled to express my serious concerns regarding Mahmoud’s health. According to the medical doctors that I have been consulting, Mahmoud’s remaining kidney is loosing its function. Mahmoud’s life is in danger now, and it requires great efforts for his freedom and facilitating the possibility for his medical treatment. Please increase your pressures on judicial and executive authorities of Iran.

Yours truly,

Najibeh Salehzadeh

June 3, 2007

1386/03/13

*Mahmoud Salehi is Unforgettable! Do Not Forget Him!

An Appeal by Samarand Salehi (Mahmoud Salehi’s 17 year old son)

I remember the first time my father, Mahmoud Salehi, was jailed was in 1995; twelve years ago. He was arrested with one of his friends and spent some time in prison. In 1999 and 2000, he and a few of his friends were incarcerated again; this time in solitary confinement of Intelligence Office. He was rearrested in the fall of 2000 and was kept behind bars for another eight months. On May 1^st 2004, he was detained for two weeks, along with tens of other workers who were celebrating Mayday!

Now, once again, he is in jail! It has already been seven months! He is spending his sentence in Sanandaj Central prison. Throughout these years, my younger brother and I have experienced the bliss and happiness of our father’s presence either in the few short minutes granted to us at our meetings with our dad in prison or the few rare moments we have got good news of his health.

We have always had our mother’s console and encouragement. As an activist, she has always encouraged us not to lose hope, have confidence in our future and bear the heavy weight of our father’s absence! Our mother has spent a good part of her life struggling either to set her husband free or to get at least some news about her partner, the father of her children. As Mahmoud Salehi’s children, we know the truth about why our dad is in prison! And along with millions of workers around the world who have declared their solidarity with him, we are proud of him and wish him great success! We know that our father does not only belong to his family members, but to all those who are fighting for undeniable rights of all workers. Nevertheless, we have serious concerns about the painful conditions he is living in.

Up until now, Mahmoud Salehi has spent a total of seven years in prison and this has severely endangered his health. He is suffering and struggling to live with his sole, painful kidney, prostate problem and serious cardiac insufficiency. For these reasons, we are asking, once again, all unions and worker syndicates all around the world and all freedom-loving workers, youth, men and women not to forget Mahmoud Salehi! Such a militant worker cannot be forgotten!

Our father has committed no “crime” other than defending the rights of the working class and struggling for creation of free worker’s organizations!

We urge you all to fight vigorously and wholeheartedly for his freedom from prison

Mahmoud Salehi was transferred to Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj under heavy security on Thursday, August 23rd and after a simple medical examination he was sent back to the prison again.

Committee in Defense of Mahmoud Salehi

Syndicate of Vahed Strongly Condemns the Unfair Verdicts of 5 Years Prison for Mansour Osanloo and 2 Years for Ebrahim Madadi

Whereas always the Supreme Leader and government’s authorities encourage all people to engage in their own fate and defend their rights by being in present at any scene, whenever workers defended their legitimate rights they have been faced with the judiciary system and prison. Nowhere in the Constitution of Law, Labor Law, Civil Rights, and Islamic Sharia Laws has been written that the consequences of defending workers rights would be prison, repression and dismissal.  Creating the atmosphere and preparing the environment by infusing the idea of arresting labor activists whenever they want to arrest a worker’s activist, imprisonment of workers, secret courts, unofficially informing workers from the issued verdicts, and long term prison sentences are not the generous awards to the labor activists who devote their entire life to get the workers legitimate rights. Any enlightened conscience doesn’t accept the way that workers have been treated with contempt.

Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburban Bus Company, Vahed, strongly condemns the unfair verdicts of five years prison for Mansour Osanloo, because of his trade and syndicalism’s activities, and two - year prison sentence for Ebrahim Madadi, only because he went to Mansour Osanloo’s house to express his sympathy with his family, and requests all international labor organizations to react seriously to this unfair and anti-workers decision globally.

Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburban Bus Company, Vahed,

November

Latest Report on Majid Hamidi

Majid Hamid was released from Amir Alam Hospital in Tehran and returned to Sanandaj. His surgery was not completely done because doctors were unable to remove one of the bullets that hit him in his neck, because by removing that bullet there would have been a great risk of damaging his nervous system around his eyes and mouth. Mr. Hamidi has issued a statement in which he condemned the attempted assassination against himself as a cowardly act by those that are extremely scared of the rise of the Iranian labour movement. Mr. Hamidi thanked all individuals and organizations that have been condemning this attempted assassination. He vowed to continue his activities as a labour activist for the achievement of the working class demands. Following the Majid Hamidi assassination attempt, many labour activists and organizations in Iran and abroad strongly condemned this brutal act and demanded an end to the systematic violence against workers perpetuated by the government and its agents in Iran.*

Mr. Hamidi, who is a well-known labour activist in Cit of Sanandaj, received seven bullets into his body on October 18^th. Witnesses and Mr. Hamidi himself report that the assassins fired about 14 shots towards him. After getting the first shot, Mr. Hamidi tried to rescue himself but they followed him and fired more bullets at him but some were missed. They then escaped from the scene with a motorcycle.

Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburban Bus Company, Vahed, Condemns the Assassination Attempt of Majid Hamidi, the Labor Activist in Sanandaj

On Thursday October 18, 2007, as reported, at 9:00 am when Majid Hamidi, labor activist, left his house to his work was shot seven bullets in an attempted assassination by three motor riders, who had covered their faces. Majid Hamidi was wounded severely, and immediately was taken to a hospital in Sanandaj city by people, but he was transferred to Amiralam hospital in Tehran because of the large injury and his critical situation and lack of treatment facilities in the Sanandaj hospital.

The association attempt to Majid Hamidi indicates the application of terror tool against labor activists by workers enemies.

The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburban Bus Company, Vahed, by expressing the deep sympathy with the family of this labor activist, and hoping that he gets well soon, strongly condemns the assassination attempt to Majid Hamidi, and insistently demands the arrest of those ordered and undertook this attack, and take them on a trial regardless of who they are.

With Great Hope of Forming the Workers’ Independent Organizations

Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburban Bus Company, Vahed,

October 27, 2007