Psychological and Physical Pressures on Ismail Bakhshi and Sepideh Gholian

The Syndicate of Workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company announced on Tuesday that Ismail Bakhshi, the workers' representative of this company, and Sepideh Gholian, a civil activist, have been "severely beaten and are under intense psychological and physical pressure." Mr. Bakhshi and Ms. Gholian were arrested on November 18 along with 17 representatives of Haft Tappeh workers in the city of Shush by security forces. Despite the release of 17 workers on bail, these two remain in custody. The Syndicate stated in its announcement that the families of Ismail Bakhshi and Sepideh Gholian visited them and reported, "They are in very poor physical condition and are even unable to tell the time or understand what time of day it is, and they continue to be under pressure and held in solitary confinement." According to the report, Ms. Gholian has "visibly lost a lot of weight and when her mother embraced her, her body was in pain. Additionally, Ismail Bakhshi's physical condition is reported to be very serious, with visible bruises on his forehead due to beating." The Syndicate's reference to the physical and psychological pressures on Mr. Bakhshi and Ms. Gholian comes at a time when Article 38 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran states, "Any form of torture for obtaining confessions or information is prohibited." This article emphasizes that "forcing a person to testify or confess or take an oath is not permitted, and such testimony and confession are without value and credibility." According to the Syndicate of Workers of Haft Tappeh, "Ismail Bakhshi, who according to visitors' observations is in very poor physical condition, smiled faintly upon hearing news of support for him." This labor organization strongly condemned the "physical and psychological conditions imposed on Ismail Bakhshi and Sepideh Gholian" and demanded their immediate and unconditional release, stating that "the responsibility for all their suffering, abuse, and beating lies directly with the Iranian government, and it is the duty of security and judicial authorities to ensure their health and safety." Earlier, Farzaneh Zilabi, a lawyer for Haft Tappeh workers, stated that Ismail Bakhshi has been charged with "conspiracy against national security" and "disturbing public order," and the case prosecutor has issued a "no access to the case" order. In another part of its statement, the Syndicate expressed "deep concern for the lives of Mr. Bakhshi and Ms. Gholian" and called on all Haft Tappeh workers, Iranians, and the world, as well as global labor organizations, media, and relevant institutions, to "provide immediate, practical, and maximum support for their release and also for Ali Najati, one of the members of the Haft Tappeh Workers' Syndicate." This labor organization's statement comes at a time when, according to ILNA news agency, the Khuzestan judiciary issued a statement on December 9, claiming that reports of bleeding due to "torture of detained worker Ismail Bakhshi and his deteriorating condition are aimed at disturbing public opinion and undermining the judiciary" and strongly denied these claims. The judiciary of this province stated that Mr. Bakhshi "has enjoyed all legal rights during the preliminary investigation and also made a phone call to his family on Thursday, December 8." Similar statements were made by the head of the Shush judiciary and the governor of Khuzestan. However, the International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran, the Committee for the Follow-up of Labor Organization Formation, the Retirees' Union, and the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company emphasized the accuracy of the news regarding Mr. Bakhshi's torture. Meanwhile, the Coordinating Council of Trade Unions of Iranian Educators issued a statement calling for a halt to privatization in the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company and the National Industrial Steel Group, demanding the release of Ismail Bakhshi and Ali Najati.