One More Arrest and Ill-treatment of a Labour Activist in Iran

According to information received by the ICEM, last week saw the arrest of Javanmir Poradi, the head of the Electrical and Metal Workers’ Trade Association, in the western city of Kermanshah in Iran. He was reportedly released again yesterday evening. Given the regular and persistent ill-treatment of labour activists in Iran, Brother Moradi’s disappearance was very concerning for his family. No information was available on Monday as to his treatment in detention.

Iranian security forces allegedly told brother Poradi, on 12 September, to report to their offices the next day. Whereas his family was initially told on Wednesday that he was taken to the public prosecutor’s house, this office later stated it did not have information as to his whereabouts. He is said to have been arrested for “organising a May Day rally” this year.

Four other labour activists, from the Shaho and Kurdistan textile factories in the city of Sanandaj, were also arrested earlier last week, in relation to a planned protest against a number of dismissals. The four were badly treated while in detention, before being released.