Summoning of Several Labor Activists in Sanandaj; Ministry of Intelligence Prevents Celebration of International Workers' Day

The Free Workers' Union of Iran announced the summoning of labor and social activists in Sanandaj to the Islamic Republic's Intelligence Office in the city ahead of International Workers' Day on May 1st. According to this labor organization, those summoned were also interrogated at the Islamic Republic's Intelligence Office. Tayeb Chatani, Rafigh Karimi, and Tavakkol Mohammadi are among the labor and social activists who, after being summoned by security interrogators, were threatened with arrest and asked to refrain from holding or even participating in International Workers' Day ceremonies. According to the report, these labor activists are members of the mountaineering groups 'Chalchemeh' and 'Nakh-e-Rooz,' which have previously faced arrests and judicial actions. The Free Workers' Union of Iran condemned the summoning and threatening of workers and labor activists, asserting that holding ceremonies and gatherings for International Workers' Day is a legitimate right of workers. Additionally, Foad Keykhosravi, a member of the board of the Iran Confederation of Labor in exile, stated in an interview with Voice of America that 'efforts to hold gatherings and ceremonies for International Workers' Day by independent labor activists have always been suppressed by the government's security institutions,' while the government annually holds state ceremonies on this occasion, inviting selected and handpicked elements from among the workers. Regarding the recent summons in Sanandaj, Keykhosravi noted that 'intelligence and security agencies annually target known activists to prevent the formation of independent labor gatherings, using summons and interrogations to threaten and extract commitments to obstruct their involvement in organizing ceremonies.' He added that 'this security crackdown continues to the point where, at the time and place of independent International Workers' Day gatherings, the government dispatches its forces to suppress the gatherings and arrest and imprison activists.' He referenced Nahid Khodajoo and Nasrin Javadi, known labor activists who were arrested during the International Workers' Day gathering in 2019 in front of the Parliament, sentenced to long-term prison terms, and are still imprisoned. He mentioned that 'there is a long list of labor activists who have been imprisoned in past years solely for participating in International Workers' Day ceremonies.' Keykhosravi also indicated that 'more activists in Sanandaj have been summoned, threatened, and interrogated in recent days, and based on my personal experience, these summons and interrogations will continue until International Workers' Day, and some may also be arrested.' He emphasized that 'specifically in Kurdish cities, where International Workers' Day ceremonies have always been held by independent activists, security measures to prevent and suppress these gatherings are very severe.' Regarding the security and judicial actions of the Islamic Republic against labor and occupational activists, he stated: 'The Islamic Republic knows well that independent labor activists are in serious opposition to it for defending their rights and protesting against the exploitative government relations, and with every degree of advancement in organization among workers and activists, the likelihood of widespread protests increases significantly. Therefore, it attempts to prevent any form of organization, even organizing a protest gathering.' He noted that the government 'also seeks to raise the costs of political and occupational activities and instill fear in activists and workers.' However, according to this labor activist residing in Germany, 'the reality of society is that not only workers and activists of the labor movement but no other section of society will be intimidated by these repressive actions and will not retreat from the struggle, and activists of these movements will utilize every form of protest and social mobilization to strengthen their internal self-organization.' He stated: 'The International Workers' Day ceremony is significant as an indicator of activists' confrontation with the government's security apparatus. Particularly in recent years, International Workers' Day has become a platform for united action among various sections of the working class, including workers, teachers, and retirees, and we have witnessed joint statements, resolutions, and ceremonies among these sections.'