Ismail Abdi's Message to the International Education Congress: I Do Not Feel Free While Rasoul Badaghi and Cecile Koehler Are Imprisoned

Ismail Abdi, a teachers' rights activist and former political prisoner, referred to the school as 'the greatest treasure in the world' in a message to the 9th Congress of 'Education International' and emphasized that he does not feel free as long as teachers like Rasoul Badaghi and Cecile Koehler remain in prison. In a video message published on his X account on Monday, August 7, Abdi stressed: 'If we sum up the years of imprisonment of teachers in Iran, it might total a century or more.' 'Education International' is a global union that brings together teachers' organizations and other education staff worldwide, representing over 32 million teachers and educational staff in 178 countries through 383 member organizations. The union defines its activities as focusing on 'quality education for all' and 'giving voice to teachers around the world,' stating: 'We are the voice of teachers and education staff worldwide.' In his video message to the 9th Congress of Education International, Ismail Abdi emphasized that solidarity with teachers worldwide, especially members of Education International, 'was hard but worth it' and 'we found each other and got to know each other more than ever.' Mr. Abdi described teachers as 'the connection point for individuals to enter society,' stating: 'That is why totalitarian regimes cannot withstand the solidarity of teachers in various ways.' He expressed his deep belief that 'freedom and happiness of no society is possible alone,' which he said is the greatest lesson he has tried to teach children in school. Ismail Abdi, a high school teacher with over 21 years of teaching experience and a member of the Tehran Teachers' Trade Association, spent many years in prison due to his civil and union activities from November 2016 to November 2023 in Kachoui Prison in Karaj and was released on bail afterward. Rasoul Badaghi, mentioned by Abdi in his message, is an inspector of the Teachers' Trade Association and a member of the Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Associations, who was sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court in April 2022 to four years in prison for 'collusion and conspiracy' and one year for 'propaganda against the regime,' along with a two-year ban on leaving the country and residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces as an additional punishment. Cecile Koehler is also a union activist who, along with her husband Jacques Paris, was arrested by Iranian authorities in May 2022 after meeting with several labor activists and teachers and remains imprisoned. Additionally, at least 10 civil activists and teachers have been arrested in Kamyaran, and protests by nurses, workers, teachers, and truck drivers have occurred; telecommunications retirees gathered in 9 provinces. The government is putting pressure on the families of those seeking justice; Maryam Mehrabi has been sentenced to six years in prison. Thousands of teachers, union activists, and workers have called for the release of 'Rasoul, the teachers of Iran.' The education budget has decreased while over 900,000 children are out of school, and the new school year is approaching with a shortage of 80,000 teachers.