The Solidarity Center joins the global labor movement in expressing deep concern over the arrest of Gholamreza Gholamhosseini, an executive board member of the Sherkat-e Vahed bus drivers union in Tehran.

Unions worldwide are calling for the release of Vahed executive board member Gholamreza Gholamhosseini.

Police arrested Gholamhosseini on June 24 while he was visiting Shirodi Stadium, where an event marking Iran's Women's Day was taking place. The gathering was sponsored by the municipality of Tehran and by the bus company, Sherkat-e Vahed. Security personnel prevented Gholamhosseini from entering the stadium; police then apprehended him and took him to Gisha Police Station.

Judge Hassan Dehghan Dehnavi, who is also involved in the case of the union's General Secretary Mansour Osanloo, ordered Gholamhosseini's indefinite detention in Evin prison while his case is investigated. Gholamhosseini has not been charged with any crime.

Gholamhosseini had been dismissed from the company for taking part in the strike action of January 2006 that led to the arrests of Osanloo and hundreds of other union activists and supporters. Although the court has ordered Gholamhosseini's reinstatement, the company is refusing to comply.

The International Trade Union Confederation and the International Transport Workers' Union, which represents bus drivers worldwide, have called for Gholamhosseini's immediate release. In addition, they are urging Iranian authorities to fulfill their obligations under international law to fully respect Iranian workers' fundamental right to form and join unions. 

Learn more about the Solidarity Center's initiatives to protect the rights of Iranian workers.

... Payvand News - 07/24/08 ...

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