Teachers' Union in Tehran Protests Continued Detention of Protesters

The Teachers' Union of Tehran Province issued a statement protesting the continued detention of protesters in recent days and called for their release. Meanwhile, according to the Iranian Writers' Association, 476 writers and artists published a statement demanding the release of Mohammad Bam, a southern poet. According to the Telegram channel 'Teacher and Worker Rights' close to the Teachers' Union of Tehran, the statement noted: 'While more than 20 days have passed since the protests this month, many students, civil and labor activists, a limited number of students, teachers, and retirees remain in temporary detention.' According to ISNA news agency, Alireza Avaei, the Minister of Justice, stated on Wednesday, January 27, regarding those detained who have not yet been released, that 'the security officials believe that the number of detainees may drop below one hundred.' Previously, reports had emerged regarding the continued detention of Ehsan Mohammadi, Sina Darvish, Mehdi Topchi, and an unspecified number of detained civil and student activists. Meanwhile, some reports indicate a lack of information about the status of Mr. Mohammadi, Darvish, and Topchi. Additionally, other reports suggest that the delay in the release of Mehdi Topchi and Sina Darvish is due to heavy bail amounts set by judicial authorities. The Teachers' Union of Tehran stated in its announcement that 'past experiences show that imprisonment and repression of critics and protesters not only do not help alleviate existing crises in society but, on the contrary, exacerbate tension-inducing factors.' This union emphasized the 'legitimate right of the Iranian people to hold protests in a civil manner' and called for the release of all detainees from recent protests, especially students, teachers, students, and civil and labor activists. In this context, the Painters' Syndicate of Alborz Province issued a statement referring to the demonstrations and gatherings of 'the masses fed up with poverty, unemployment, hunger, inflation, embezzlement, and theft' in 100 cities across Iran in recent days and called for the release of detainees. Meanwhile, the Iranian Writers' Association reported on Thursday, January 28, that 476 writers and artists published a statement demanding the release of Mohammad Bam, the southern poet. The signatories of this statement expressed regret that 'in recent years, poets and writers have faced restrictions and multiple confrontations that have even led to sentences such as imprisonment and flogging.' In part of the statement, expressing hope for Mr. Bam's release and a change in the perception of poets and writers in the near future, and that 'we witness days where the response to a word is a word, not erasure, chains, and imprisonment,' it stated: 'We, the signatories of this letter, all from the cultural and artistic community, strongly demand the release of Mohammad Bam and emphasize that the trend of dealing with artists and art must be completely stopped and instead of a system of threats and confrontations, encouragement and support for artists should be pursued.' Mohammad Bam, a poet residing in the city of Abadan, was arrested on January 12 after participating in a protest. Meanwhile, according to ISNA news agency, Mohammad Birarvandi, a member of parliament from Khorramabad, stated on Wednesday, January 27, in a public session of parliament that 'the response to protests is not repression and threats,' adding, 'Acquainting students with prison is not a compassionate approach.' He pointed out that 'we must accept that protesting is the people's right and that the protesters should be distinguished from rioters,' adding, 'Instead of forming security committees in crisis areas, we should form economic and entrepreneurial committees. If we do not create jobs for the youth and do not respond to their aspirations, it will create motivation for struggle in others.' According to officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 25 people have been killed during the gatherings and protests. Mahmoud Sadeghi, a member of parliament from Tehran, has also stated that 3,700 people have been detained. The treatment of protesters during gatherings and demonstrations has drawn criticism from human rights organizations.