Writers' Association protests summoning union activists to security agencies
In a statement, the Iranian Writers' Association criticized the Rouhani government for summoning some trade union activists to security agencies in recent days.
The statement from the Writers' Association addressed, among other things, the recent teachers' strike in various cities in Iran, as well as the protests by truck drivers and truck owners.
The Writers' Association, referring to the summons of teachers and threats against truck drivers by judicial and security authorities, stated in its statement: "Attachment of security charges to every trade union and civil protest is not a new tactic, but security and judicial agencies are using it on a larger scale these days."
The statement, noting that gatherings, sit-ins, and strikes to achieve demands are "a common, customary, and accepted thing throughout the civilized world," wrote that even the Iranian government doesn't care about real titles. It doesn't say that you are condemned because you went on strike, because you sat and gathered, because you shouted your needs. No, it labels it as "disturbing national security," "corruption on earth," "moharebeh," "disturbance of public order," and . . .
The Iranian Writers' Association wrote in its statement criticizing the Rouhani government: "Wherever and whenever a government is incapable of responding to the needs and demands of the people, it feels insecure from every protest. In fact, it is their security that is at risk, otherwise freedom of expression and the right to protest, organize, and assemble, and their implementation, will increase the security of society, the protection of the interests of the people, and the cohesion among them."
In this sense, the release of teachers, striking drivers, and other so-called "security" prisoners, the cancellation of all summonses, and the freedom to protest, assemble, and organize will greatly enhance security.
Iran has witnessed a variety of political and union protests in recent months. In the latest such case, some teachers in various cities in Iran went on strike on October 12 and 13, refusing to go to class.
In this strike, in addition to the arrest of Mohammad Reza Ramezanzadeh, secretary of the Coordination Council of Teachers' Unions, a number of teachers in various cities have been summoned to the Intelligence Department.
Truck drivers and truck owners have also been protesting for several months due to various problems.
Following protests in June and July of this year, truck drivers went on strike in early October. The reasons for their strike were rising fuel prices, a shortage of daily diesel quotas, high commissions from transportation companies, rising insurance costs, and being deprived of retirement benefits.
However, Iranian judicial and security officials reacted sharply to these strikes, calling for "severe punishment" for the strikers. Some judicial officials also described their charges as "banditry."
Source: Voice of America
