Education International Calls for Immediate Release of All Imprisoned Teachers in the Islamic Republic

On Tuesday, September 20, Education International published a letter on its website demanding the immediate release of all imprisoned teachers in the Islamic Republic and urgent attention to the situation of Jafar Ebrahimi, an exiled teacher imprisoned in Qazal Hesar. In this letter, Education International highlighted the deteriorating health of Jafar Ebrahimi, a board member of the Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Associations in Iran, during his 'unjust imprisonment' and requested the Islamic Republic authorities to grant him immediate medical leave. The letter also stated: 'Jafar Ebrahimi has been imprisoned in Iran for twenty months. He suffers from intestinal disease, and his condition has severely worsened during his imprisonment. His diabetes has intensified, and his eyesight is at risk, but instead of issuing the requested permit for Ebrahimi's hospitalization, authorities transferred him from Evin Prison to Qazal Hesar detention center outside Tehran and filed new charges against him.' At the end of the letter, Education International emphasized the need for immediate action regarding Jafar Ebrahimi's dire conditions and called for the release of all imprisoned teachers in Iran. On September 18, Education International also sent an open letter to Ali Khamenei, requesting his intervention for the immediate medical leave and saving the lives of imprisoned teachers Jafar Ebrahimi and Ismail Abdi. David Edwards, the Secretary-General of Education International, in this letter, pointed out the deteriorating health conditions of Jafar Ebrahimi and Ismail Abdi in prison, urging the leader of the Islamic Republic, government officials, and prison authorities to approve their medical leave. The Secretary-General also emphasized the innocence of Jafar Ebrahimi, Ismail Abdi, and other imprisoned union members, including Hashem Khwastaar, Asghar Amirzadegan, and Aziz Qasemzadeh, stating that their detention and continued imprisonment violate the fundamental rights of workers to organize and freedom of expression, and he held the Iranian government responsible for any harm that may come to the imprisoned teachers in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Recently, Jafar Ebrahimi, along with 12 other political prisoners, was transferred from Evin Prison to Qazal Hesar. According to Voice of America, these prisoners lack personal safety in Qazal Hesar prison in Karaj and are in poor medical and nutritional conditions. The life of imprisoned teacher Jafar Ebrahimi is at risk. Solidarity among imprisoned teachers; Aziz Qasemzadeh called for the immediate release of Jafar Ebrahimi. A political prisoner recounted the 'horrific smell of death' in Qazal Hesar: 'It is a terrifying slaughterhouse.' Exclusive; families are worried about the conditions of political prisoners transferred to Qazal Hesar. Education International to Khamenei: Send Jafar Ebrahimi and Ismail Abdi on medical leave. The Iranian Writers' Association: The lives of 13 political prisoners transferred to Qazal Hesar are in danger. Exclusive; poor conditions in Qazal Hesar prison; 13 political prisoners demand 'return to Evin.' The Teachers' Trade Association of Aligudarz warns about Jafar Ebrahimi's situation; he is struggling with death. The transfer of Jafar Ebrahimi to Qazal Hesar; a new case has been opened for the teachers' union activist.