Free Mansour Osanloo

To: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
Subject: Protest Letter - Free Mansour Osanloo

To Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Ref: Protest Letter - Free Mansour Osanloo

Dear President

I have been informed by the International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF, that the Vahed bus workers' union President, Mansour Osanloo, was abducted by unidentified assailants as he was leaving a Vahed Company bus near his home at around 7pm on 10 July. Witnesses on the bus stated that they beat him severely, and continued to beat him as they took him away in a metallic grey Peugeot to an undisclosed location. Mr. Osanloo had apparently been followed all day by the unmarked Peugeot car.

After two days of denying all knowledge of his whereabouts, the authorities in Iran on Thursday 12 July, admitted that Mansour Osanloo is being held in Evin Prison. Mr. Osanloo has reportedly been charged with “conspiring against national security” and his file is apparently being handled by Iran’s intelligence services.

Trade union leaders from all regions of the world have pledged their support to the Sherkat-e-Vahed trade union and Mr. Osanloo himself.

By virtue of its membership of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) the Islamic Republic of Iran is legally bound to respect its core principles including the principle of the freedom of association. The Ministry of Labour has repeatedly reassured the ITUC (then-ICFTU) and the ITF that it is committed to workers’ rights and dialogue with the international trade union movement.

I therefore urge your government to take every possible step to ensure the safety of Mr. Osanloo and do all in your power to secure his immediate release.

Yours sincerely,