Iranian Teachers' Organization: Ismail Abdi's Life is in Danger

The Iranian Teachers' Organization, a teachers' union, announced that the life of Ismail Abdi, a imprisoned member of its board, is 'in danger' and called for his release. In a statement issued on Thursday, June 4, it was mentioned that the prolonged hunger strike of Ismail Abdi 'has not only raised concerns among his family and educators but has also worried a large part of Iranian society.' Ismail Abdi, who is serving a six-year prison sentence in Evin Prison, began his hunger strike on April 30. The former Secretary-General of the Iranian Teachers' Organization is on hunger strike in protest against 'illegal and unjust treatment of civil activists in Iran, the lack of independence of the judiciary, and the issuance of prison sentences for activists of teachers' and workers' organizations.' Mr. Abdi is also demanding 'the transition of his case from a security to a normal process.' Nearly a month after the hunger strike of its former Secretary-General, the Iranian Teachers' Organization criticized the 'indifference of judicial and security officials' to Ismail Abdi's demands and asked: 'Why are the relevant officials not responding? Why do they not take any steps for the sake of his children and wife to alleviate the concerns of Abdi's family?' This teachers' union emphasized in its statement that 'the indifference and negligence of judicial and security officials contradict national interests and public security' and 'while warning about the individual and family consequences for Mr. Abdi, it expresses concern about the social consequences of this negligence.' In this context, the Education International Federation called on Iranian authorities to release Ismail Abdi. A petition campaign for Abdi's freedom with 15,000 signatures was submitted to the judiciary and the presidency. Human rights defenders have expressed concern about the physical condition of Atena Daemi and Ismail Abdi.