Five French Unions Demand Khamenei Free Mohammad Habibi

Five labor unions from France addressed a letter to the leader of the Islamic Republic, holding him responsible for the life of Mohammad Habibi, an imprisoned Iranian teacher, and demanded his release along with other detained teachers. Mohammad Habibi, an educator, cultural activists, and a member of the board of the Teachers' Association of Tehran Province, was arrested on May 9 during a teachers' protest in front of the Organization of Planning and Budget in Tehran. Currently held in Evin Prison, he has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, two years of prohibition from political and social activities, and a ban on leaving the country, along with 74 lashes, on charges of 'gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security.' Reports indicate that the Education Department has also cut his monthly salary. The French unions have urged Khamenei to 'pay attention' to Habibi's situation, stating that his imprisonment is 'a violation of human rights and fundamental union freedoms,' and for this reason, they are calling for his 'immediate release.' In the letter, Habibi is introduced as one of many independent union fighters in Iran who have faced persecution and harassment by the regime for their persistent legal activities. The five French unions, citing Habibi's family, reported that he is being 'severely mistreated' in prison and that prison officials continue to deny him 'medical services and emergency treatments that he urgently needs.' The letter identifies Ali Khamenei as 'responsible for the life and health' of Mohammad Habibi and warns that 'without necessary treatments, there is a significant risk of a rapid deterioration in his health.' Furthermore, the letter mentions that reports from Iran indicate a 'deteriorating work environment' in the country, and the Islamic Republic has shown that it does not comply with its commitments to international labor agreements that recognize the rights of Iranian workers to form independent organizations. The five French labor unions also called for the 'immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned activists, both men and women, including Ismail Abdi and Mahmoud Beheshti, detained teachers,' stating that their only goal is 'union activities and defending the legal rights of wage earners.' They have sent a copy of their letter to Hassan Rouhani, the President, Sadegh Larijani, the head of the judiciary, and the Iranian ambassador in Paris. Following a call from the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Associations, a number of retired and active teachers in various cities of Iran held a protest on May 9, during which several protesters were arrested. A few days later, in Tehran, all protesters were released on bail except for Mohammad Habibi. Habibi had also been arrested by security forces in the previous Esfand and was detained until April 15 of this year, after which he was released on a 250 million Toman bail until his court date. The officials of the Islamic Republic do not have a positive view of union activities and severely crack down on any such activities. This comes as protests in Iran have increased following the privatization of several factories and economic recession.