Thousands of Teachers, Labor Activists, and Workers Demand the Release of 'The Teacher of Iran'

7,000 Iranian teachers, labor activists, and workers have launched a campaign demanding the release of Rasoul Badaqi, a teacher and imprisoned labor activist. The campaign's statement notes that Mr. Badaqi has only been granted four days of leave since his arrest on April 29, 2022, to attend his daughter's engagement ceremony, spending the entire period in prison. The teachers, labor activists, and workers who signed this campaign pointed out that Mr. Badaqi has been imprisoned for over two years, and the efforts of his lawyers for his release have been unsuccessful due to the rejection of his appeal by the Supreme Court. Recently, his phone calls have also been restricted. In their joint statement, they called for the release of 'The Teacher of Iran.' According to HRANA, Rasoul Badaqi, an inspector of the Teachers' Trade Association and a member of the Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Associations, was sentenced in April 2022 by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran to four years in prison for 'assembly and collusion' and one year for 'propaganda activities against the regime,' along with a two-year ban on leaving the country and residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces. His conviction was upheld in early June of the same year. This teacher labor activist was again sentenced in November 2022 by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran to four years and six months for 'assembly and collusion' and one year for 'propaganda against the regime,' along with a two-year ban on activities and membership in groups and leaving the country. He is currently serving his sentence in Evin Prison. Recently, a group of civil and labor activists climbed Mount Sabalan in memory of Rasoul Badaqi. A teachers' trade association stated: 'A teacher does not belong in prison; Rasoul Badaqi must be freed.' Teachers', retirees', and workers' trade associations supported the 'Campaign for the Release of Rasoul Badaqi.' The release of Mostafa Rabati, a member of the Teachers' Trade Association, followed his violent arrest. An open letter from Reza Shahabi and Davood Razavi criticized the International Labour Organization (ILO) for its inaction regarding the violation of workers' basic rights in Iran. The prison sentence of Hassan Saeedi, a member of the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran Bus Company, was overturned by the Supreme Court.