Friday, October 19, 2007
URI Letter to Director General of ILO
United Republicans of IranFor a Democratic and Secular Republic
http://www.iranrepublic.org/
international@jomhouri.com
October 18, 2007
Mr. Juan Somavia
Director General
International Labor Organization
4 route des Morillons
CH-1211 Genève 22, Switzerland
Dear Mr. Somavia,
I am writing to bring to your attention an issue that is of grave concern to us at the United Republicans of Iran and that is the life and health of a labour leader in Iran.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is an oppressive regime, based on religious, gender, and ethnic discriminations in one hand, and denial of all independent organizations and associations on the other hand. Our organization believes that the democratic goals in Iran can be achieved by
independent civil society movements, such as labor movement, using peaceful means.
Confronted with these movements, The Islamic Republic of Iran has chosen to arrest the leaders and subject them to harsh inhuman treatment in prison. Indeed, at this very moment, Mr. Mansour Osanloo, President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed) is in prison in danger of loosing his eyesight.
The first thing one notices when visiting your web site is this paragraph: “In promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, the organization continues to pursue its founding mission that labour peace is essential to prosperity. Today, the ILO helps advance the creation of decent jobs and the kinds of economic and working conditions that give working people and business people a stake in lasting peace, prosperity and progress.” And it describes it self as “the tripartite UN agency that brings together governments, employers and
workers of its member states in common action to promote decent work throughout the world.”
The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a member of this body is obligated to adhere and follow the rules and regulations as are mandated by ILO charter.
Yet In a statement released by the International Transport Worker’s Federation on 16 October 2007, they write: “Despite government promises Osanloo has not received the emergency treatment that he desperately needs to treat injuries to his eyes sustained when he was assaulted by government security forces two years ago – even though the prison doctor
has admitted that if he is not treated within the next two weeks he could go blind.” They have also created a video concerning Osanlou which I urge you to see.
This video can be seen by visiting: http://www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/osanloo-film.cfm.
I urge you to take every step at your disposal to gain the freedom of Mansour Osanloo and other detained workers in Iran.
With respect,
Mehdi Amini
International Relations Coordinator, USA
[+/-] show/hide this post
