Imprisoned Trade Unionist Ebrahim Madadi Is Freed

Joint press release from the ITUC and ITF

30 November 2011.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) are welcoming the release today from prison of Ebrahim Madadi, a board member of the Tehran bus drivers’ union, the Vahed Syndicate. Ebrahim had been unjustly held on false charges of endangering national security since being arrested and then rearrested in 2007 and 2008.

“He is free because trade unionists worldwide have been demanding justice” ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said. “It is also a result of pressure through the International Labour Organization (ILO) which has been critical of Iran for not living up to the international obligations they have signed onto”.
“Many serious human and trade union rights issues remain to be solved in Iran and the fundamental violations of trade union rights need to be addressed. While cautiously welcoming this important step forward, the ITUC and the ITF, on behalf of workers everywhere, call once again upon the Iranian authorities to urgently release all other trade unionists from prison.”

ITF general secretary David Cockroft commented: "This excellent news is proof that protest works. We have all fought long and hard for this release, as we did for Mansour Osanloo's. However, the day all of those unjustly imprisoned in Iran are set free is the day we will be able to truly celebrate.

"We look forward to both Ebrahim Madadi and Mansour Osanloo taking their rightful places as leaders of the Vahed Syndicate."

ENDS

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