by Tula Connell, Apr 10, 2008

Mahmoud Salehi

Good news from the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center. Iranian labor leader Mahmoud Salehi was released from Sanandaj prison in Iran’s Kurdistan Province on April 6, following a one-year prison term for “acting against national security.” Salehi, former head of the Saqez Bakery Workers’ Union, was arrested May 1, 2004, for organizing a May Day rally in his home city of Saqez. He was released on bail, pending a new charge.

This from a Solidarity Center e-mail (and more here):

Both Salehi and Mansoor Osanloo, president of the Tehran bus drivers union Sherkat-e Vahed, had received strong support from the global labor community. On March 6, thousands of worker and human rights supporters from more than 35 countries mobilized in a Global Day of Action organized by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and Amnesty International. A week later, Iranian authorities leveled new charges against Salehi, accusing him of sending messages of  solidarity from prison on the eve of the demonstrations.

Salehi’s state of health deteriorated severely while he was in jail. Authorities repeatedly denied him proper medical care for acute kidney failure and other serious ailments, despite orders from his doctor for treatment outside the prison environment. He also has developed a heart problem. After his summons on the new charges, he began a hunger strike. He has now returned to Saqez, met by family and friends.

Says Solidarity Center Executive Director Ellie Larson:

While we applaud Brother Salehi’s welcome release, we would remind Iran’s authorities that Mansour Osanloo and other unjustly imprisoned trade unionists must be freed as well. In addition, all other threats of imprisonment against independent trade unionists for their legitimate activities must be stopped.

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