Deteriorating eye sight prompts fresh concern for the
fate Iranian trade union leader, says Unite
28 September 2009
Unite, together with Amnesty International, the International
Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the wider international
trade union movement, has been actively campaigning for the release
of Mansour Osanloo, the Iranian Bus Workers’ trade union leader,
and his union deputy, Ebrahim Madadi since their arrest and
imprisonment two years ago.
At that time, Mansour was sentenced to five years in prison
purely for carrying out his legitimate trade union activities as
leader of the Tehran Bus Workers. Madadi received three and a half
years on the same charges. Mansour’s arrest was brutal and he
suffered serious injuries. It took an international campaign to
ensure he had access to the appropriate treatment, which came
belatedly, when he was in severe danger of permanently losing sight
in one eye.
Mansour is a prisoner of conscience, yet he has been moved to a
prison where he is in the midst of criminals convicted of serious
crimes such as murder. His health has again deteriorated and yet he
has been denied permission to leave the prison for treatment - for
his pre-existing conditions - and for the new ones gained through
the denial of access to treatment. This is in spite of the fact
that the prison’s medical examiner has called for medical leave for
Mansour to be treated outside prison. Likewise, Madadi also has eye
problems and is suffering from a prostate condition and
diabetes.
Graham Stevenson, Unite national organiser for transport, and
member of the ITF Executive Board, said: “Unite is appalled to hear
this sad news with regard to our good friends and colleagues,
Mansour and Ebrahim. We call on the Iranian authorities to grant
them immediate access to medical treatment and to free them
unconditionally from jail.
“They have committed no crime, but were unjustly arrested as
they carried out their trade union duties in representing the bus
drivers of Tehran. It is now time to show compassion and release
both Mansour and Ebrahim before their health is damaged
irreversibly.
“I call on our members to send off a message, via the Amnesty
International website, to the Iranian authorities deploring the
treatment of Mansour and calling on the Iranian authorities to free
him unconditionally.”
The link is http://amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=628
ENDS
For further information contact Moira O'Shaughnessy
(International department) on 020 7611 2631 or Ashraf Choudhury in
the Unite Press Office on 020 7420 8914 or 07980 224761.
