Education International to Khamenei: Grant Medical Leave to Jafar Ebrahimi and Ismail Abdi

Education International, in an open letter addressed to Ali Khamenei, called for his intervention to grant immediate medical leave and save the lives of imprisoned teachers Jafar Ebrahimi and Ismail Abdi. David Edwards, the General Secretary of Education International, in his letter published on September 9, highlighted the deteriorating health conditions of Jafar Ebrahimi and Ismail Abdi in prison, urging the Supreme Leader, government officials, and prison authorities to approve their medical leave. The letter introduces Education International as 'the global federation of teachers' unions comprising 383 teacher unions, including the Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Associations of Iran.' The letter emphasizes that Jafar Ebrahimi, a board member of the Coordinating Council, has been deprived of full medical services due to his intestinal disease and diabetes, worsening over the past twenty months in prison. It further states that Ebrahimi is currently held in a detention facility outside Tehran and faces new charges, including 'threatening national security' and 'disturbing public peace.' Recently, he, along with 12 other political prisoners, was transferred from Evin Prison to Gohardasht Prison, where they reportedly lack personal safety and face inadequate medical and nutritional conditions. The General Secretary also explained the situation of Ismail Abdi, a former board member of the Coordinating Council, noting that he has been denied specialized treatment outside prison despite strong medical recommendations. Abdi has been imprisoned since 2015 due to his union activities. According to the letter, Abdi's physical health has deteriorated in prison due to chronic pain in his hands and muscles and dental issues. The General Secretary emphasized the innocence of Jafar Ebrahimi, Ismail Abdi, and other imprisoned union members, including Hashem Khastar, Asghar Amirzadegan, and Aziz Qasemzadeh, stating that their arrest and continued imprisonment violate workers' fundamental rights to organize and freedom of expression. Retired civil and educational workers have consistently demanded the release of imprisoned teachers during their protests. As the anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's death in custody approaches, government pressure on educators, labor activists, journalists, civil and political activists, lawyers, and critics of the Islamic Republic has intensified. The summons of protesting teachers and the transfer of detained educators to other prisons continue. The Iranian Writers' Association reported that the lives of 13 political prisoners transferred to Gohardasht Prison are in danger. Legal actions against educators persist; a teachers' union activist in Arak has been sentenced to prison and lashes, and the treatment of Ismail Abdi and Reza Shahabi has been obstructed by the decisions of the Islamic Republic's judicial authorities.