International Transport Workers' Federation condemns death threats against imprisoned truck drivers
The International Transport Workers' Federation condemned the threat of execution by a judicial official of the Islamic Republic against 17 detainees of the drivers' and truckers' strike.
Stephen Cotton, Secretary General of the International Transport Workers' Federation, said in a statement issued by the federation on Friday, October 10, that the death penalty for strike participants is "the most serious violence against workers' rights," an "inhumane" and "unthinkable" act.
Last week, Mohsen Karami, the acting prosecutor of Qazvin, announced the arrest of 17 participants in the truckers' strike and warned of the possibility of issuing severe sentences, including the death penalty, against the detainees.
The International Federation of Labor, however, said in a statement that it and its affiliates around the world are urging the Iranian government to listen to the voices of the protesters. Stephen Cotton said that this issue requires an economic solution, not the threat of execution.
Mr. Cotton has called for the involvement of the International Labor Organization, a UN agency, in the matter.
In addition to the acting prosecutor of Qazvin, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, the Attorney General also accused some of the strikers of "corruption on earth," "road blockade," and "disturbing order and security," and threatened them with the death penalty.
Iranian truck drivers began a second strike in various cities on October 1st to protest union demands such as a shortage of fares, reduced fuel quotas, and rising prices for automotive accessories such as tires.
Reports indicate that three weeks after the strike began, security forces arrested more than 250 strikers on charges of disrupting road safety.
Truck drivers first began a two-week nationwide strike on June 1st of this year in response to a reduction in commission rates, an increase in fares, and government assistance in paying insurance premiums.
These strikes have also drawn support from global unions, including the International Transport Workers' Federation, for the truckers' and drivers' strike. In recent days, there has been further international support for the strike.
The North American Truck Drivers International Union also supported the striking truck drivers in Iran in June of this year.
Source: Voice of America
