European Trade Unions Call for the Release of 3 Imprisoned Labor and Civil Activists

European trade unions have called for the release of Sepideh Ghalean, a imprisoned civil activist, and Reza Shahabi and Hassan Saidi, two imprisoned labor activists, emphasizing the need to revoke the prison sentence of Farzaneh Zilabi, a lawyer for several workers, retirees, and teachers in Khuzestan province. The European trade unions tweeted that Ms. Ghalean was arrested by security forces just hours after her release, demanding her freedom and the cancellation of all charges against her. Sepideh Ghalean shouted 'Khamenei the tyrant, we will bury you underground' shortly after her release from Evin Prison on March 15, 2023, and was re-arrested shortly after making this statement. According to reports, she was transferred to Evin Prison and sentenced to two years in prison in May of this year. Meanwhile, according to the HRANA news agency, another court session is scheduled for this imprisoned civil activist. The court session regarding Ms. Ghalean's charges will take place on July 19 at Branch 1207 of the Tehran Shahid Kachoui Judicial Complex, following a complaint by Ameneh Sadat Zabihpour, a journalist with IRIB. European trade unions, in another tweet, referred to the six-year prison sentences issued for Reza Shahabi and Hassan Saidi, members of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company Syndicate, calling for their release and the cancellation of all charges against them. These two labor activists were arrested last year on charges of meeting with Cecile Muller and Jacques Paris, two French union activists, in Tehran. Along with them, several labor activists and teachers were also arrested. All detainees have denied the charges brought against them by the security apparatus and the judiciary of the Islamic Republic. Many labor and professional unions worldwide have also called for the release of all detainees in this security case, asserting that the meeting of union activists is free under the International Labor Organization's conventions. European trade unions also criticized the one-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Farzaneh Zilabi, noting that many human rights defenders have been imprisoned in Iran. They demanded the cancellation of this sentence and the security charges against Ms. Zilabi. Sattar Rahmani, a member of the UK Teachers and Professors Union, responded to the question of how international support for workers in Iran affects the decisions of the Islamic Republic, stating that this support creates 'a spirit of solidarity among labor activists and strengthens their confidence in achieving their goals, as well as boosting the morale of workers who usually join protests late.' He further commented on the impact of support on the regime's decisions regarding sentences against imprisoned activists, stating that 'we have witnessed tactical and temporary adjustments in sentences at certain times, but as soon as conditions change and the regime faces fundamental challenges from labor protests, pressures on activists, imprisonment, dismissals, and threats resume.' Nevertheless, Mr. Rahmani emphasizes that international labor and professional support helps 'enlighten workers in Iran' and states that 'with modern technology and the availability of labor news for everyone, it becomes possible to expose the regime's plots and make workers more aware of their basic rights.' Additionally, according to this London-based union activist, 'workers and equality-seeking individuals around the world also become aware of the harsh conditions faced by labor activists in Iran and support them.' He also points out another aspect, including the impact on government decisions regarding human rights violations in Iran, adding that 'the public opinion of their countries and labor unions compel representatives of governments, especially European ones, to adjust their self-serving and profit-driven policies - albeit temporarily and precariously.' Meanwhile, the Committee for the Follow-up of Labor Organization Formation reported that Reza Aghdasi, an old and dismissed worker from Iran Khodro, has been summoned to Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor's Office. According to this report, he has been given five days to present himself to Branch 3 of the Evin Security Prosecutor's Office for 'explanations and the proceedings of his case.' In recent years, many labor activists, retirees, and teachers have been arrested. Mr. Rahmani commented on why the Islamic Republic continues its security crackdowns on labor and professional activists despite international support for street protests and strikes, stating that 'the regime has suppressed workers and women since it came to power in 1979.' He stated that 'the regime's response to preserving the capitalist system and ownership as a sacred matter requires the suppression of any organization that challenges the foundations of the system, and to give identity to capital and the capitalist system as an undeniable sanctity, it must marginalize women and suppress protesting workers.' Sattar Rahmani states: 'For this reason, women became victims of the regime's religious identity construction. Women were marginalized from the economic, political, cultural, and social cycle by saying 'either hijab or beating' and intend to continue this path.'