Farzad Kamangar, Iranian Kurdish teacher and trade unionist, RIP

Solidarity with Iranian trade unionists

Farzad Kamangar

May 2010

Trade unionists and others around the world are expressing horror, anger and dismay at the execution on Sunday 9 May of Farzad Kamangar, a 34-year old teacher, trade unionist and Kurdish activist.

The TUC has reported on his execution and has called on trade unionists to protest through the LabourStart e-action. This note sets out the background to his case.

The Washington Times published an editorial about his death on 11 May, and the following international union websites are worth visiting to find out more:

• International Trade Union Confederation
• Education International
• Justice for Iranian workers

Background

Amnesty International's website reports the following about his arrest, trial and sentence:

'Farzad Kamangar was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence officials along with two other members of the Kurdish minority, Ali Heydariyan and Farhad Vakili, in Tehran around July 2006. The three men were sentenced to death on 25 February 2008 after being convicted of 'moharebeh' (enmity towards God), a charge levelled against those accused of taking up arms against the state, in connection with their alleged membership of the armed group, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The death sentences of all three men were upheld by the Supreme Court.

'However, Farzad Kamangar's lawyer submitted his case to a judicial review panel in an effort to have his death sentence overturned. Under Iranian law, death sentences cannot be carried out while under review.

'Prior to his trial, Farzad Kamangar was held incommunicado, tortured and otherwise ill-treated, including by being beaten, flogged, and electrocuted. He is now said to suffer from spasms in his arms and legs. He was tried in unfair proceedings, during which his access to his lawyer was restricted. Farzad Kamangar has been prohibited, on several occasions and for prolonged periods of time, from seeing his lawyer and family members.

'Kurds, who are one of Iran's minorities, live mainly in the west and north-west of the country, in the province of Kordestan and neighbouring provinces bordering Kurdish areas of Turkey and Iraq. For many years, some Kurdish political parties such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) and Komala - all of which are illegal in Iran - have taken up arms against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

'The scope of capital crimes in Iran remains extremely broad. Judges have discretionary powers to impose the death penalty for certain offences, including those relating to national security. No other person convicted of membership of the PKK has been sentenced to death.'