ITF alerts Khamenei to Osanloo and Shahabi health concerns
ITF general secretary David Cockroft wrote today to Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei to alert him to the deteriorating health
of Mansour Osanloo and Reza Shahabi, and to once again urge immediate treatment and release for the two unjustly
imprisoned trade unionists.
He wrote: “On behalf of 4.6 million transport workers and their trade union organisations around the world, I am writing
to you to voice our grave concern over the recent deterioration in the health of Mansour Osanloo and Reza Shahabi. The
former is the President and the latter is the Treasurer of our Iranian affiliated union the Vahed Syndicate, and both
are currently in prison for their trade union activities.
We believe that Mansour Osanloo is again suffering from serious heart problems and was taken to a hospital on the 1st of
May. We are informed that his doctors have advised that surgery is urgently needed. Regarding Reza Shahabi, we note that
he has been experiencing repeated, unexplained nosebleeds, but again, no adequate medical treatment has been given, even
though he has been appealing for this for some time now. Unsurprisingly both his family and colleagues are deeply
concerned.
In a response to the Committee on Freedom of Association of the ILO in May last year, the Iranian government stated that
Mansour Osanloo would soon be pardoned. However, this promise has never been fulfilled. In the meantime, the ITF,
together with its allies in international trade union and human rights organisations, have been demanding the release of
all imprisoned trade unionists, including Mansour Osanloo, Reza Shahabi and Ebrahim Madadi. Major trade unions have
granted honorary membership to Mansour Osanloo and more unions are planning such an award.
We therefore once again strongly urge your office to provide adequate medical treatment to Mansour Osanloo and Reza
Shahabi without any delay, preparatory to their release from imprisonment.”
ENDS