Iraqi teaching union leader survives assassination attempt

Iraqi teaching union leader survives assassination attempt

The head of the Iraqi Teachers' Union, Dr Muhsin Ali Nassif, was lucky to escape with his life after two bombs were detonated as he was leaving the union's headquarters in Baghdad on 20 November 2010. Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, wrote to Dr Ali Nassif expressing his outrage at the attack and solidarity with the union.

1 December 2010

President Dr Muhsin Ali Nassif

Iraqi Teachers' Union

Dear Dr Ali Nassif

Assassination attempt on 20 November 2010

I was alarmed to learn of the attempt to assassinate you on 20 November 2010, and am pleased to know that you are safe and well.

On behalf of the British trade union movement, I pass on our solidarity and best wishes with your recovery from this terrible experience. It is an outrage that people must risk their lives simply to represent the interests of working people.

If the new Iraqi Government is serious about bringing peace and prosperity to Iraq it must swiftly identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. It also needs to finally enact a fair and just labour law that recognises and promotes the right of all workers - especially teachers - to join strong, free and independent trade unions, and to do so without facing harassment, especially the extreme violence that you have faced.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary