Teacher trade unionist under threat in Iran - TUC/Amnesty International Urgent Action

Urgent Action for Trade Unionist at Risk
Farzad Kamangar, Teacher, Iran
23 December 2008

The TUC and Amnesty International are calling on British trade unionists to show solidarity with a teacher trade unionist under threat in Iran by sending a message to the leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei and the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Shahroudi. You can take action through the AI website, and also send protests to the Iranian Ambassador to the UK: His Excellency Mr Rasoul Movahedian, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 16 Prince's Gate, London SW7 1PT. Fax: 020 7589 4440, email: info@iran-embassy.org.uk

His name is Farzad Kamangar and he is currently being held in prison on charges of 'enmity towards God', and has been sentenced to death. When the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association considered his case earlier this year, they said: 'The Committee urges the Government to immediately stay the execution of Farzad Kamangar's death sentence, annul his conviction and secure his release from detention. It also requests the Government to undertake an independent inquiry into the allegations of torture inflicted upon Mr Kamangar during his detention and, if proven true, to compensate him for any damages suffered as a result of the said treatment.'

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 trial took place in secret, lasted only minutes, and failed to meet Iranian and international standards of fairness.

Farzad (33) is an active member of his local teachers' union, and Education International have protested strongly against his arrest and sentence.

Ali Heydariyan and Farhad Vakili also received additional sentences of 10 years' imprisonment for forging documents. Under Iranian law, they must serve their prison sentences before being executed. The death sentences of all three men were upheld by the Supreme Court. However, Farzad Kamangar's lawyer has 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.

Please do what you can to promote this urgent action.