Document - Iran: Release imprisoned trade unionists (Media advisory)
MEDIA ADVISORY ��MDE 13/040/2012�13 June 2012
Iran: Release imprisoned trade unionists
On the occasion of the 101st session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) - taking place in Geneva from 30 May to 15 June 2012 - Amnesty International renews its call on the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release trade unionists who have been imprisoned solely for their peaceful trade union activities in Iran.
The Iranian authorities have arrested dozens of trade unionists in recent years, some of whom have been sentenced to long prison terms and have maintained a long standing prohibition on the establishment and recognition of independent trade unions and associations.
Public May Day rallies in Iran continued to not be permitted by the Ministry of Interior who did not grant the required permission. However, workers and others throughout Iran - including prisoners - commemorated International Workers Day on 1 May.
In Tehran and surrounding areas, workers held a number of events. In Sanandaj, Kordestan Province, north-west Iran, scores of workers also gathered on 1 May chanting, "We are workers; we are hungry" and "Workers, workers, unite".. Security forces, arriving shortly after the rally began, dispersed the crowd, reportedly with the use of tear gas and batons.
Contact
For further information please contact Shukri Shewayish in the Amnesty International Press Office +44 (0) 20 7413 5566 or email press@amnesty.org
Available to Interview:
Drewery Dyke, Amnesty International's Research on Iran (in English and Persian).
Document:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/037/2012/en