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We are writing to express our deep concern about the treatment of Alireza Asgari and Jalil Mohammadi and to demand their immediate release from detention.
It is our understanding that Alireza Asgari and Jalil Mohammadi, both labour activists and members of the Coordinating Committee to Help Form Workers’ Organizations, were arrested after security forces raided the annual general membership of the Coordinating Committee on June 15, 2012. It is reported that, in total, about 60 labour activists were brutally beaten by security forces and transferred to Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj. The majority of detainees, after going through serious interrogations, beatings and insults, were released; however, Alireza Asgari and Jalil Mohammadi have been held unjustifiably since their arrest.
We have serious concerns about safety and well being of Alireza Asgari and Jalil Mohammadi. The Coordinating Committee reports that these two labour activists have suffered through severe beatings and psychological pressures. Alireza Asgari is reportedly suffering from severe heart palpitations, heart pain, numbness and weakness in left hand and severe lethargy, as a result of the physical damages caused during his interrogation. Jalil Mohammadi also is suffering from a deteriorating physical condition due to injuries suffered during his interrogation.
CUPE Ontario represents 230,000 workers who stand firmly behind the rights of workers, around the world, to organize unions and other workers’ organizations that advocate for improved working conditions. We believe this fundamental human right is critical to the improvement of the social and economic well being of workers from Toronto to Tehran and are deeply concerned with reports that Alireza Asgari and Jalil
Mohammadi were put on trial on August 4, 2012, at the branch 4 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Karaj, charged with “acting against national security” through formation of an illegal group, the Coordinating Committee.
We strongly condemn these unjust arrests and the brutal mistreatment of these labour activists while in custody as we denounce the continued persecution and arrest of labour activists in Iran and the recent raid on workers’ meeting in Karaj. On behalf of the 230,000 members of CUPE Ontario, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Alireza Asgari, Jalil Mohammadi and all of imprisoned labour activists in Iran.
In Solidarity,
Fred Hahn Candace Rennick
President Secretary-Treasurer
