Tehran Prosecutor: Police Must Prevent Formation of Illegal Gatherings

Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Tehran, on Tuesday urged the police to be prepared in case of gatherings that he claimed would occur "in front of an official authority of the country." According to ISNA news agency, he referred to some recent gatherings in Tehran, which he labeled as "illegal," stating that the police must prevent the formation of such gatherings and actions contrary to the law to avoid, as he said, "creating grounds for attacks against the police." The last gathering held in Tehran was related to a protest on Sunday by about 300 employees of petrochemical companies from Arak, Isfahan, and Amir Kabir (from Bandar Imam) in front of the Ministry of Oil, protesting the uncertainty of their employment status after the privatization of petrochemical units. Following that, several radiologists gathered on Saturday in front of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, which was reported by Fars news agency. Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, based in the U.S., responded to the question of whether labor gatherings could be deemed illegal by referencing Article 27 of the Iranian Constitution, which states, "The formation of gatherings and marches, without carrying weapons, is free, provided that it does not disrupt the principles of Islam." Mr. Ghaemi stated, "Labor gatherings fully fall under Article 27 and there is no reason for them to be labeled illegal; these individuals had clear and legitimate demands that they wanted to convey to the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran through these gatherings." This human rights activist urged the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to tolerate these labor gatherings, adding that failing to do so indicates a closed atmosphere in the country. Meanwhile, according to Fars news agency, the radiologists protested against the decision of Hassan Hashemi, the Minister of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, regarding allowing other physicians to perform sonography and radiology. The protesters claimed they undergo a four-year training program in imaging and sonography, while other doctors complete this training in just three months. However, this gathering led to a security police response, and according to Fars, Mehr, and ILNA news agencies, several radiologists were arrested, and other protesters were dispersed. These news agencies did not mention the number of detainees, nor has their status been clarified, including what charges they face. In this context, Fars news agency reported that the Minister of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education stated that the reasons for the arrests should be inquired from the security police, adding that if a gathering is held illegally, it must be dealt with according to the law. Simultaneously, Javad Afshari, the legal director of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, labeled the radiologists' gathering as illegal, stating that the ministry would not yield to what he termed "unreasonable demands." He added, "The principle of holding gatherings has a process that must be done with permission from competent authorities, peacefully, and with respect for the rights of others, and in the future, any illegal gathering in front of the Ministry of Health will be legally addressed by the relevant authorities." In recent years, labor gatherings in Iran have faced crackdowns from the authorities of the Islamic Republic, who have labeled these protests as disrupting public order or workplace disturbances. Hadi Ghaemi described such responses as "very misguided policies," stating that this behavior will have dire consequences. He added, "Workers, employees, and others in various professions need to collectively voice their concerns to employers or responsible authorities. Typically, labor organizations, unions, and syndicates should be formed legally in workplaces so that these individuals can negotiate with employers or raise their issues through conventional and organized means. However, the Iranian government does not allow the formation of such organizations." The crackdown on labor protests in Iran in recent years has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations and labor unions worldwide.