Labour Iran: International protests over imprisoned worker rights defenders in Iran
By Labour Start, 2/5/22
May 23, 2022 - 11:37:49 AM
Longtime worker rights defenders Haleh Safarzadeh and Alireza Saghafi were arrested on 11 March 1 2022 and immediately taken to Kachuei Prison in Karaj to serve one-year sentences. Safarzadeh, a teacher, and Saghafi, a writer and auto mechanic, work with the Center for Workers' Rights (KANOON), informing workers of their fundamental rights and defending victims of repression. The two, who have been repeatedly jailed and imprisoned over many years, were arrested together with other worker rights advocates on 26 April 26 2019 in the run-up to planned May Day celebrations across Iran. They were tried and convicted later that year on spurious charges of 'propaganda against the system' and are now serving the sentences. Saghafi suffers from high blood pressure and heart problems and is being denied the urgent medical treatment he requires. The 2019 May Day crackdown on civil and labour rights defenders was a prelude to the brutal repression of the mass demonstrations which swept Iran in November that year, in which hundreds of workers were killed and thousands arrested. Repression against rights defenders has already increased significantly in 2022. The labour movement calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
Longtime worker rights defenders Haleh Safarzadeh and Alireza Saghafi were arrested on 11 March 1 2022 and immediately taken to Kachuei Prison in Karaj to serve one-year sentences. Safarzadeh, a teacher, and Saghafi, a writer and auto mechanic, work with the Center for Workers' Rights (KANOON), informing workers of their fundamental rights and defending victims of repression. The two, who have been repeatedly jailed and imprisoned over many years, were arrested together with other worker rights advocates on 26 April 26 2019 in the run-up to planned May Day celebrations across Iran. They were tried and convicted later that year on spurious charges of 'propaganda against the system' and are now serving the sentences. Saghafi suffers from high blood pressure and heart problems and is being denied the urgent medical treatment he requires.