Iranian Free Workers Union: Jafar Azimzadeh's Kidneys Are Failing

On Tuesday, June 1, the Iranian Free Workers Union announced the deteriorating health of Jafar Azimzadeh, the imprisoned head of the board of this labor organization, stating that his kidneys are failing. Mr. Azimzadeh has been on an indefinite hunger strike since April 29 in protest against security charges against labor activists and other union members at Evin Prison. He is demanding the cancellation of these charges. In recent years, several labor and union activists, as well as workers, have been arrested and sentenced to prison on security charges. The Iranian Free Workers Union reported that the test results from June 8, taken from Jafar Azimzadeh at Shahid Tajrish Hospital in Tehran, indicate the beginning of kidney failure according to specialists. The union criticized the judicial authorities for not responding to his demands, highlighting that Azimzadeh's life is in danger. In the conclusion of their statement, the Iranian Free Workers Union warned the authorities at Evin Prison and the judiciary about Azimzadeh's health condition. Meanwhile, the family of this imprisoned labor activist, for the second consecutive day, gathered with several labor activists and teachers' rights activists in front of the Parliament. Security agents were also present in front of the Parliament. According to the Iranian Free Workers Union, Akram Rahimpour, Azimzadeh's wife, along with another person, visited the Parliament's Article 90 Commission, but the office responsible for this commission informed them that none of the commission's representatives had received their credentials yet, and the Parliament could not interfere in the judiciary's affairs. The report also stated that Mr. Azimzadeh's family and labor activists gathered in front of the Presidential Office, where they were also told that the Presidential Office could not interfere in the judiciary's work. Nevertheless, the head of the Presidential Office told the representatives of the protesters that this office would try to highlight the special conditions of the prisoner and call for immediate attention. In recent days, several labor organizations and workers from various production units have supported Jafar Azimzadeh's demands. Additionally, 3,600 individuals signed a petition calling for the realization of Azimzadeh's demands and the release of him and other union activists in Iran. In this context, Jafar Azimzadeh's hunger strike has reached one month, raising concerns from two labor organizations about his health condition. The hunger strike of three labor activists and teachers' rights activists in prison continues, and labor organizations are calling for improved living conditions for workers.