Free Mansour Osanloo

Thursday, 9 August has been declared an international day of action in support of jailed Iranian trade unionist Mansour Osanloo by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), and is being backed by, among others, Amnesty International.

Oslanoo was kidnapped by the Iranian regime after organising an independent trade union for bus workers on July 10. he is one of two prominent Iranian trade union leaders currently under detention, the other being Mahmoud Salehi.

Information on both men can be found on the website of the Iranian Party of Labour http://www.toufan.org/ . Direct links to these articles can be followed from this blog:

1. (Link) The Life of Labour Activist Mahmoud Salehi is in Danger!

2. (Link) A Letter to the Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organisations on the Kidnapping of the Prominent Trade Union Leader Mansour Osanloo.

As part of the August 9 International Day of Action in support of Mansour Osanloo, please cut and paste the following letter into your email account and send to the email of the Iranian President:

To: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir

SUBJECT: Protest Letter - Free Mansour Osanloo
To Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Ref: Protest Letter - Free Mansour Osanloo


Dear President

I have been informed by the International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF, that the Vahed bus workers' union President, Mansour Osanloo, was abducted by unidentified assailants as he was leaving a Vahed Company bus near his home at around 7pm on 10 July. Witnesses on the bus stated that they beat him severely, and continued to beat him as they took him away in a metallic grey Peugeot to an undisclosed location. Mr. Osanloo had apparently been followed all day by the unmarked Peugeot car.

After two days of denying all knowledge of his whereabouts, the authorities in Iran on Thursday 12 July, admitted that Mansour Osanloo is being held in Evin Prison. Mr. Osanloo has reportedly been charged with “conspiring against national security” and his file is apparently being handled by Iran’s intelligence services.

Trade union leaders from all regions of the world have pledged their support to the Sherkat-e-Vahed trade union and Mr. Osanloo himself.

By virtue of its membership of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) the Islamic Republic of Iran is legally bound to respect its core principles including the principle of the freedom of association. The Ministry of Labour has repeatedly reassured the ITUC (then-ICFTU) and the ITF that it is committed to workers’ rights and dialogue with the international trade union movement.

At the present time, and with threats to the independence and sovereignty of Iran coming from US imperialism, the unity of the Iranian people takes on a special importance. The organised working class of Iran must be liberated to play a leading role in resistence to imperialism. The intimidation and harassment of its leaders is objectively an act assisting the interests of imperialism.

I therefore urge your government to take every possible step to ensure the safety of Mr. Osanloo and do all in your power to secure his immediate release.

Yours sincerely,