An International Organization Calls for the Cancellation of the Convictions of Ebrahim Madadi and Davood Razavi

The International Transport Workers' Federation has urged the Iranian government to annul the judicial sentences against Ebrahim Madadi and Davood Razavi, board members of the Tehran Bus Workers' Syndicate. Steven Cotton, the federation's secretary, wrote in a letter to President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday, August 18, emphasizing the federation's strong opposition to these unjust approaches that hinder legitimate union activities. Ebrahim Madadi has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for 'gathering and colluding with the intent to act against national security' and 'disrupting public order by participating in illegal gatherings.' Davood Razavi faces similar charges and has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, the secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation insists that 'according to international laws, the civil liberties of Davood Razavi and Ebrahim Madadi must be fully ensured as soon as possible, they should be acquitted of these charges, and ultimately released so that they can continue their legal union activities.' Iran is a member of the International Labour Organization and is committed to recognizing the fundamental rights of trade unions. Ebrahim Madadi and Davood Razavi were arrested last spring and were released on bail after about a month. Mr. Razavi's prison sentence was issued last Esfand, which at that time prompted a protest from the International Transport Workers' Federation. This federation has approximately 4.8 million members worldwide.