National Teachers' Union of Iran: The Suppression of Teachers Continues

On Thursday, January 6, the Coordination Council of Teachers' Trade Unions of Iran announced that the suppression of teachers continues, condemning the one-year prison sentence and social restrictions imposed on Ahmad Derakhshan. It was previously reported that, by the ruling of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Karaj, Mr. Derakhshan, a teacher, writer, and literary activist residing in Karaj, was sentenced to one year of imprisonment and additional penalties. These penalties include a two-year teaching ban, prohibition from membership in social groups, prohibition from leaving the country, and dismissal from public service. Ahmad Derakhshan had previously been interrogated and pursued on charges of 'propaganda against the regime' on October 7 of this year. He is the author of works such as 'Changing the Direction of the Wind is Forbidden' and 'Mahnami'. According to the Coordination Council of Teachers' Trade Unions of Iran, the ruling against Ahmad Derakhshan indicates the continuation of systematic pressures on teachers and social activists. The council described the court ruling as unjust and condemned it strongly, stating that these suppressions are a desperate attempt to silence the voice of justice-seeking. This national teachers' organization in Iran called for an end to security crackdowns and emphasized the need to annul all unjust sentences and the unconditional release of imprisoned teachers and other activists. Currently, a number of teachers and their union activists are imprisoned on security charges, including Rasoul Badaghi, Hashem Khashtar, Javad Laleh Mohammadi, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, Nahid Shirpich, Aman Jalali Nejad, Alireza Mardasi, Mohammad Habibi, Mohammad Hassan Pooreh, Hojjatollah Rafei, Rozgar Roshani, Mostafa Mohammad Hassan, Masoumeh Askari, Azad Khadem, and Abdollah Karim Golan. Several other teachers and their union activists are either released on bail or have faced administrative actions leading to suspension or dismissal. Retired protesters in Kermanshah: 'Imprisoned teacher must be freed.' A teacher criticizes the poor conditions and lack of facilities in the classroom. A teacher and writer in Karaj has been sentenced to prison and teaching restrictions. Solidarity of educators with students on the occasion of December 7. Ismail Abdi has been banned from leaving the country due to 'case fabrication by the IRGC' against union activists. The selective rejection of teachers has occurred; 'opponents' will not be accepted.