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TUC protests again as Iranians arrest another trade unionist

Issue date

H.E. Mr Rasoul Movahedian Attar
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
16 Prince's Gate
London SW7 1PT

Dear Ambassador

Arrest of Ebrahim Madadi

Just days after my Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady wrote to you about the seizure of Mr Mohsen Hakimi, I understand that Mr Ebrahim Madadi, of the Vahed bus workers' union, has also been arrested, despite being released from jail a year ago as a result of international pressure. On behalf of the Trades Union Congress, which has 6.5 million members in the UK, and which is part of the 165 million-strong International Trade Union Confederation, I would urge the Iranian authorities to release Mr Madadi immediately and unconditionally.

My information suggests that he was arrested at 2pm on Saturday 27 December by plain-clothes security forces when he reported to the North Tehran employment office. He is in police custody branch 1. He will appear before judge tomorrow morning.

These attacks on the representatives of working people in Iran are an affront to civilised behaviour, and they form part of a pattern of behaviour, arresting trade union activists during what are holiday periods around the world in the cowardly hope that they will not spark as many protests as they would if done at other times.

The attacks and harassment of trade unionists carried out by the Iranian regime breach the obligations of the Iranian government to respect freedom of association and the right to negotiate collectively under the conventions of the International Labour Organisation.

As indicated on several occasions in the past I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this and the mounting number of other cases of abuse of trade unionists' human rights in person.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary

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