11 Jul 2007 -
Free Mansour Osanloo

14:00 GMT, 6 March 2008

* Demonstration in Delhi and Brussels
* Global Unions delegation visits Iranian Mission in Geneva
* Rail workers from Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg express their solidarity

View photos from the Action Day >>

Belgium
Representatives from the ITUC and the ETF, together with members of the Global Unions Education International and ICEM, the three national centres ACV-CSC, FGTB-ABVV and CGSLB-ACLVB, the unions BTB, ACV-Transcom and CGSP/ACOD, and Amnesty International held a demonstration in front of the Iranian Embassy in Brussels this morning. Three ITF Inspectors from Antwerp also joined the event. Although the trade union delegation had submitted a request for a meeting to the Embassy two weeks in advance in writing, their request was refused. The unions delivered a letter of protest, supported by a "Note verbale" detailing international trade union demands addressed to Tehran. (Phone report by Janek Kuczkiewicz)

Switzerland
The ITUC's Geneva office, together with representatives from BWI, IUF, IMF and PSI visited the Iranian Mission and met with the Labour Attaché. The delegation submitted a letter detailing their concerns with regards the detention of Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi and demanding the immediate release of both men as well as urgent and adequate medical treatment for them. (Email report by Raquel Gonzalez and Anna Biondi)

India
Members of the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) demonstrated outside the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi today demanding the release of Mansoor Osanloo. Wearing the ITF yellow decken and carrying flags and banners, activists chanted slogans. A delegation later met with the First Secretary of the Iranian Embassy in the absence of the Ambassador and presented a memorandum. Activities for the Railway Action Day have been organised by the 16 zonal union constituents of the AIRF all over the country. (Email report by Mahendra Sharma)

Luxembourg
More than 200 activists from ITF and ETF railway unions from Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg took part in a meeting at the central station in Luxembourg this morning to discuss issues related to the Railway Workers' Action Day. The Minister of Transport attended the meeting as well as two representatives from the Transport Commission in Parliament. Prior to the meeting, activists distributed leaflets in the station. Following this activity, the unions went to the trade union house, Casino Syndical where the ITF "Freedom Will Come" film was shown in French and German. (Phone report by Guy Greivelding)