Reza Shahabi, labor activist, conditionally ends his hunger strike

The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company announced on the night of October 5 that Reza Shahabi, a imprisoned board member of this organization, has conditionally ended his hunger strike. According to the syndicate, Mr. Shahabi ended his hunger strike conditionally following a promise from a senior security official to address his demands quickly and at the request of his family and labor organizations inside and outside Iran. Based on this report, Reza Shahabi has stated that if his plea is not addressed within a reasonable timeframe, he will resume his hunger strike. Hours before this announcement, Robabeh Rezaei, Reza Shahabi's wife, expressed concern for the health of this imprisoned board member, stating that his condition is critical. The ILNA news agency noted that 51 days have passed since Reza Shahabi's hunger strike, and his deteriorating health has raised concerns among labor activists and social activists, to the extent that many of these activists have signed a petition demanding attention to Shahabi's situation and his release. Previously, the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company reported that 1,600 people had signed a petition calling for the unconditional release of this labor activist. Robabeh Rezaei, in connection with his latest status, told ILNA: 'On the fiftieth day of the hunger strike, Reza's condition worsened, and he was transferred to the hospital for a few hours and then returned to prison; during that short period, I managed to see him in the hospital; in addition to back and neck pain, his vision and hearing have deteriorated to the point that he could not recognize his son from a few meters away.' According to the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, Mr. Shahabi, after being pressured by the prosecutor's office, reported to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj, only to find out that the prosecutor's office had not accepted the medical leave prescribed by forensic medicine, and he would have to remain in prison for about another thousand days. In response to this action, he went on a hunger strike. Robabeh Rezaei described her husband's demands as 'the cancellation of the nearly three-year prison sentence and transfer to Evin Prison in Tehran' and stated: 'I am worried about my husband's health, and my wish is that he returns home safely soon.' According to ILNA, Reza Shahabi's poor physical condition has led 'members of the Supreme Council of Islamic Labor Councils of the country to intervene and request the Minister of Labor to take any action that can improve the situation of this imprisoned worker.' Previously, several independent labor organizations, such as the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, the Free Workers Union of Iran, the Workers' Rights Defenders Association, and the Syndicate of Workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane, had called for Reza Shahabi's release. Meanwhile, several international labor and professional unions have made similar requests to the Iranian authorities. In this context, ILNA reported: 'Apparently, the Minister of Labor has been following Reza Shahabi's situation in recent days.' In this regard, Ali Motahari, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, also told ILNA: 'I am aware of Mr. Shahabi's situation and have been informed to some extent. Our duty as representatives is to convey these issues to the relevant institutions and ask them to explain in this regard and not to be strict.' In the same context, Reza Shahabi was returned to prison an hour after being transferred to the hospital. Amnesty International stated: 'Reza Shahabi urgently needs specialized medical care.' A gathering was held in front of the Parliament for the release of Reza Shahabi, where security forces' response was described as 'violent.' 1,600 signatures were collected for Shahabi's release; the Tehran prosecutor stated that he was convicted of security-related crimes. Two international labor and teachers' unions criticized the treatment of labor activists in Iran.