Statement from Iran Writers Association regarding labor and civil activists; Release them
The Iran Writers Association has issued a statement demanding the immediate and unconditional release of “Esmail Bakhshi,” “Sepideh Qolian,” “Ali Nejati,” “Amirhossein Mohammadifard,” “Sanaz Allahyari,” “Amir Amirgoli,” “Asal Mohammadi” and other political and ideological prisoners.
On Thursday, August 31, the Iran Writers Association issued a statement condemning the trial of protesting workers and their defenders scheduled for Saturday, September 2, at Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Moghisseh, while emphasizing the right to freedom of expression without any restriction or exception, and called for the release of these prisoners.
The statement notes that last year, protesting workers of Haft Tappeh Sugar Company selected representatives to report and reflect news of their protests. Now these representatives, defenders, and reporters, after months of detention and enduring considerable hardship, are scheduled to be brought to court on Monday, September 2.
The Iran Writers Association, noting that any society declines without the presence of such people, stated that these seven individuals have not only committed no crime by minimal standards of citizenship rights, but have exercised their civil and human rights. Contrary to the system’s judicial narrative and courts, they are guarantors of public security.
Esmail Bakhshi, a labor activist, and Sepideh Qolian, a civil activist, were first arrested in November of last year during Haft Tappeh Sugar Company workers’ protests. After their release, both announced they had been tortured during detention and subjected to “forced confessions.”
Currently, Sepideh Qolian is on hunger strike in protest of insults by Qarchak prison officials to her family and to show support for Amirhossein Mohammadifard and Sanaz Allahyari.
Ali Nejati, a member of the Haft Tappeh Workers Syndicate board, was arrested at his home on November 29 of last year on charges of involvement in Haft Tappeh Sugar Company worker strikes. After some time, on February 27 of that year, he was released from prison on medical leave due to heart and respiratory illness.
Amirhossein Mohammadifard, editor-in-chief, and Sanaz Allahyari, a member of the editorial board of the student publication Gam, are two detained defendants in the Haft Tappeh Sugar Company workers’ protest case who have been in detention since December 10 of last year. They recently issued an open letter from Evin Prison announcing they would go on hunger strike.
Sanaz Allahyari ended her hunger strike ten days after beginning it on July 16, due to deterioration of her physical condition and family insistence, but her husband Amirhossein Mohammadifard continues his hunger strike.
Previously, Amnesty International issued a statement on the occasion of International Workers’ Day (May 1), calling on the Islamic Republic’s authorities to immediately release workers and civil activists arrested during strikes and other peaceful protests.
Source: Voice of America
