Reza Shahabi, imprisoned labor activist in Evin prison, goes on hunger strike

Reza Shahabi, a member of the board of directors of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, has gone on hunger strike since Tuesday, July 9, in protest against the lack of access to proper medical treatment and the "continuation of repressive and discriminatory actions" by Evin prison officials. According to the Telegram channel of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, Mr. Shahabi, despite suffering from a herniated disc and protruding vertebrae that have caused him severe pain in his legs and back, has been denied transfer to the hospital due to the "obstruction by the head of Ward 4" of Evin prison. Previous reports indicated that this illness was a result of the torture this labor activist faced after his arrest in 2010. The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company also reported that, amidst the ongoing "harassment of labor prisoners" and "discrimination by the head of Ward 4 in visits", Reza Shahabi has been threatened with transfer to another ward of the prison. Following the continuation of "these harassments and threats", Mr. Shahabi has gone on hunger strike to make his "voice heard by workers, the general public, and relevant authorities". Additionally, Amnesty International has recently called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of Reza Shahabi, criticizing his "arbitrary detention" in Evin prison and his simultaneous "denial of appropriate and timely medical services". According to Amnesty International, "Iranian authorities continue to prevent independent trade union activities, violating their commitments to international law, and retaliate against workers and labor rights activists through unfair trials and imprisonment." The International Trade Union Confederation has also placed Iran among the countries where union rights are not respected in its 2024 report. The article also mentions the continuation of strikes by over 20,000 project workers in 110 companies in Iran, the transfer of Reza Shahabi to the hospital due to his deteriorating health condition, and various legal actions against other labor activists.