این مقاله در ارتباط با وضعیت جنبش کارگری ایران و دستگیری و سرکوب گسترده فعالین کارگری برای نشریه ویووپوینت تهیه شده است:
Shahrokh Zamani, a member of the Painters' Union and The Follow-Up Committee to Set up Free Labor Organizations in Iran, was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment for trying to form a syndicate
In continuing attempts to crush unions and workers protesting to demand their rights, the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) is imposing cruel punishments on workers and labour activists, particularly in the last two years.
The most recent offensive of the IRI regime against workers' rights activists is profoundly shocking. On Friday, June 15, 2012, about 60 labor activists, including many members of the “Coordinating Committee,” were arrested by the agents of the intelligence ministry after they raided a house in city of Karaj during a meeting of the committee. According to the first announcement of this committee, detainees were beaten by the police and transferred to Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj. Following an update issued by the “Coordinating Committee” in the afternoon of June 16th, the majority of those arrested were released on bail with the exception of the following labour activists:
Mitra Homayooni, Reyhaneh Ansari, Alireza Asgari, Saeed Marzaban, Cyrus Fathi, Masoud Salimpour, Maziar Mehrpour, Jalil Mohammadi and Faramarz Fetrat Nejad.
Workers arrested previously
Reza Shahabi, a board member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Vahed Bus Company, already imprisoned for 22 months finally had a sentence of 6 years imprisonment imposed. As well he is prohibited from all union activities for five years and is forced to pay a fine of seven million Tomans into the state coffers. Reportedly, as a result of rough beatings he received following his arrest, he is in need of surgery to prevent paralysis on his left side. However, judicial officials have refused to allow him time out of prison to receive the necessary and appropriate medical treatment and the rest he needs before his surgery. They have denied all requests.
