Tehran Bus Dispute
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Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadjinejad,
President of the Republic
The Presidency,
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection,
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: + 98-21-6648.06.65: + 98 21 649 5880
DC/MU
6 January 2006
Dear Mr. President
Re: Continued detention of Mansour Osanloo, Sherkate Vahed (Tehran Bus Company)
On behalf of 5 million transport workers in 142 countries worldwide represented by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), I am writing to you to protest against the continued detention of Mansour Osanloo, President of the Executive Board of Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company (Sandikaye Kargarane Sherkate Vahed Otobosrani Tehran va Hoomeh).
While we welcome the fact that all other unionists arrested on either 22 or 25 December 2005 have been released, the continued detention of Mansour Osanloo in the high-security area of Evin Prison is not acceptable.
The ITF, together with the ICFTU, is very concerned about Mansour Osanloo’s state of health. He is reported to have heart problems, and he was arrested shortly before he was due to undergo an eye-surgery. We have been informed that nobody, including his lawyer, has been allowed to meet him in the prison with the exception of his wife, who has been allowed to visit only once.
The ITF has also been informed that the Syndicate’s bank accounts have been closed. Furthermore, rumours are spreading that the government is planning to prosecute Syndicate members, including Mansour Osanloo. Such pressure and harassment against trade union officials and their activities is a strong breach of internationally recognised trade union rights.
From the reports we have gathered, Mansour Osanloo is facing a number of accusations such as “having connections to Iranian political organisations abroad opposing the regime” and “maintaining relations with and receiving financial support from a foreign power”. It appears that these charges are directly related to his international trade union work. International connections have been used by the Iranian authorities against labour and social activists in the past.
Members and supporters of the Syndicate have already gathered in thousands to protest against the arrest. Internationally, transport workers’ unions in the Arab world, as well as ITF members from Germany, Great Britain and United States, have expressed their strong concern about this situation and many are prepared to follow.
Together with the ICFTU and the Global Unions partners, the ITF urges your office to release Mansour Osanloo immediately and drop all charges against him. Furthermore, we request that all undue pressure that is exerted on the Syndicate is ceased immediately.
I trust you will take immediate and decisive action on these matters.
Yours sincerely
David Cockroft
General Secretary
