ACT NOW to save the life of Farzad Kamangar, Iranian teacher trade unionist

western asia | repression / prisoners | non-anarchist press Monday January 18, 2010 15:50 by Trade Union Congress - TUC

Iranian teacher trade unionist and Kurdish activist Farzad Kamangar is facing the threat of imminent execution, and the TUC has joined the campaign led by international teacher union organisation Education International (EI), and teacher trade unions in Britain and around the world, to call on the Iranian authorities to lift that threat and commute his death sentence. Please add your name to the email protest.

In the wake of the intensification of repression against unionists and all Iranians who do not share the views of the government, and also in connection with the recent execution of Kurdish political activist Fasih Yasamani, we are gravely concerned about Farzad's future.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has sent a letter to the Iranian Supreme leader requesting that Kamangar not be executed, and the TUC has asked the British Foreign Secretary to intervene - trade unionists around the world are making the same request of their Governments.

Since June 2008, EI has been questioning the fairness of Kamangar's trial and appealing to the Iranian authorities to commute the death sentence against him. His lawyer alleges that Kamangar has suffered repeated torture and ill treatment during his incarceration in Evin and other Iranian prisons.

Security and intelligence officials of Kurdistan province have repeatedly threatened Kamangar that he would be executed.

Kamangar's case has been mentioned by EI and by the ITUC in submissions to the Universal Periodical Review undertaken by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The UN's official review of Iran's human rights record will take place on 15 February 2010.

Further information about the campaign

Briefing document (300 words) issued 16 Jan 2010