Critical Condition of a Labor Activist in Prison; Davood Razavi on the Brink of Blindness

The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company announced on Friday, July 13, that Davood Razavi, a imprisoned board member of this organization, is at risk of complete blindness due to "prolonged detention, spending day and night in a cell with the light on, and being forced to wear a blindfold during continuous interrogations." The syndicate wrote that Mr. Razavi was sent to Farabi Hospital for an eye examination on Tuesday, July 11, where the treating doctors warned of potential risks to his eyesight and stated that this imprisoned labor activist must use sunglasses and undergo regular check-ups. Davood Razavi has previously suffered from gastrointestinal diseases and stomach bleeding. The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company emphasized the urgent need to end the baseless charges against Davood Razavi and called for the unconditional release of this labor activist and other imprisoned members, namely Hassan Saidi, Reza Shahabi, as well as other labor, teacher, and civil activists. Mr. Razavi was sentenced to five years in prison and two years of deprivation from activities in cyberspace and political groups in mid-June of this year. Also see: The five-year prison sentence of Davood Razavi confirmed in the appeals court. This imprisoned labor activist has been detained since September 27, 2022, on charges such as "collusion and conspiracy against national security." The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company stated that pursuing demands such as housing, increasing workers' wages, and establishing a labor syndicate has been considered as "actions against national security" in Davood Razavi's case. The intensification of pressure on labor and professional activists occurs while protests over the livelihoods of workers, retirees, and teachers continue in Iran, with protesters demanding better living conditions. The conviction of Davood Razavi, imprisoned labor activist, to five years in prison, support from French and Swiss unions for protests against the Islamic Republic in front of the International Labour Organization, and the release of some detained teachers and labor activists on heavy bail have been reported. Protests over livelihoods and pressure on professional activists; warning from Davood Razavi's lawyer about his health condition; support from five French labor unions for Iranian workers; the eight-month uncertainty of a board member of the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company in prison.