21 July, 2014IndustriALL Global Union is calling on affiliates to support the campaign by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) to release jailed Iranian trade union leader Reza Shahabi.
Concern for Shahabi, who has been in prison for trade union activities since 2010, has heightened since his health drastically deteriorates due to his hunger strike lasting more than six weeks.
Shahabi, who is Treasurer of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company Workers’ Union in Iran, went on hunger strike on 1 June 2014 after being transferred to from Evin Prison in Tehran to the even more brutal Raja'i Shahr Prison in Karaj.
He has since been hospitalized and is very weak, suffering from serious health issues as he risks his life for his demands.
Shahabi, an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, is appealing for sick leave for medical treatment for a back condition; a return to Evin prison when he leaves hospital; implementation of article 134 of the new Islamic Penal Code; and his conditional release.
In a letter to ITF acting general secretary, Stephen Cotton, IndustriALL offered its full support to the ITF in its campaigning and demanded “the immediate and unconditional release of Brother Reza Shahabi and proper medical treatment for securing his life. The IndustriALL family strongly feels that global unions should work together to mobilize solidarity for making sure that Iran respects human and trade union rights.”
IndustriALL also calls on all affiliates to support ITF’s LabourStart campaign in support of Reza Shahabi.