Criticism from Teachers' Unions in Iran Regarding Security and Judicial Actions Against Mohammad Habibi and Ismail Abdi

Following the confirmation of Ismail Abdi's dismissal and the conviction of Mohammad Habibi in the appeals court, teachers' unions in various cities in Iran issued separate statements criticizing the security and judicial actions against these two teachers. According to the Coordination Council of Teachers' Trade Unions in Iran, last week, the conviction of Mohammad Habibi, the spokesperson for the Teachers' Trade Union of Tehran, was confirmed to be 6 months and one day in prison by Branch 36 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court. This sentence was issued in protest against the serial poisonings of girls' schools in Esfand 1401 (March 2023) and has been met with opposition from educators. In this context, the Teachers' Union of Tehran stated in a statement: "It seems that in the judicial system of this land, the roles of the plaintiff and the defendant have been reversed, and the plaintiffs regarding certain matters become the accused and convicted." The statement emphasized that the Teachers' Union of Tehran, while fully supporting the positions of its spokesperson, declares that the confirmation of the prison sentence for Mohammad Habibi, the issuance of the dismissal order for Ismail Abdi after about 9 years in prison, the continuation of case-building against trade union and civil activists, and the obstruction of the return to work of some teachers whose dismissal or separation orders have been overturned by the Administrative Justice Court, all reflect the ongoing rigidity that has settled in the power structures. The Teachers' Union of Islam Abad Gharb also wrote in a statement: "While condemning this completely illegal procedure, we express our full support for all imprisoned and dismissed teachers, especially Ismail Abdi, and demand an end to such processes." The Teachers' Union of Harsin reacted to the confirmation of Mohammad Habibi's prison sentence, stating: "The prison sentence for this committed and diligent trade union activist is seen by the people as an endorsement, marginalization, and lack of transparency regarding those heinous anti-human acts." This trade union emphasized: "Deep wounds have been inflicted on the body of justice, fairness, and rationality, and there is no will to heal them." The Teachers' Union of Fars condemned the dismissal of Ismail Abdi, stating: "The dismissal of Ismail Abdi is, from the perspective of the Iranian educational community, a medal of courage that this great man of activism and advocacy wears around his neck." Additionally, the Teachers' Union of Marivan, in protest against the "unjust sentence" of Mohammad Habibi, wrote: "The spokesperson for the Teachers' Union of Tehran has once again become a victim of the system's mismanagement." The Teachers' Union of Marivan firmly supported the "just and courageous positions" of Mohammad Habibi, adding that the issuance of a prison sentence for him and the unjust dismissal of Somayeh Akhtarshomar, Ismail Abdi, and other teachers indicate a deep crisis in the power structures that only think about preserving their own interests. The Teachers' Union of Marivan stated: The regime's repeated attempts to silence the voices of freedom-seekers have only deepened the rift between it and the protesting people. This statement emphasized that the regime's repeated efforts to silence the voices of freedom-seekers have only deepened the rift between it and the protesting people. The Teachers' Union of Mazandaran also wrote regarding Ismail Abdi's dismissal: "The dismissal of Ismail Abdi is yet another wound on the body of the justice-seeking teachers of this land." The statement read: "We, the teachers of the Mazandaran Union, strongly condemn this cowardly act and demand the return of Ismail Abdi to the classroom to serve as a source for meeting the needs of this generation thirsty for knowledge." According to reports, Ismail Abdi's sentence was issued on charges of "participating in illegal sit-ins, strikes, and demonstrations, inciting to hold illegal sit-ins, strikes, and demonstrations, and applying group pressures for illegal educational purposes through membership in the Teachers' Trade Union and leading national protests of teachers, etc." In recent years, administrative, security, and judicial actions against teachers and their trade union activists have intensified. These actions have faced criticism from trade unions and labor syndicates worldwide. The National Teachers' Union: Administrative violation committees continue to suppress teachers. France called the conditions of its three "hostages" in Iran "unacceptable." The Teachers' Union of Iran called for urgent medical attention and the release of Zartosht Ahmadiraghab. The last trial session of Kokab Badaghi, a teachers' trade union activist, was held without the presence of an appointed lawyer. The dismissal of Ismail Abdi on World Teachers' Day; the National Council of Teachers emphasized the establishment of new unions.