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Introduction: One million Amnesty International members in 150 countries help to protect human rights worldwide. Many of Amnesty International prisoners of conscience are trade union activists. The persecution of labour activists and their human rights defenders is not well known and international publicity can sometimes be their only hope of protection. South Bruce Group 97 has undertaken this grassroots partnership to lend our voices to those activists and human rights defenders who daily put their lives and freedom on the line. We do so to honour North America’s own labour pioneers, who were imprisoned, assaulted, denied work, murdered, and executed by the state on false charges. We do so to remind us that in the struggle for social justice and human rights we can take nothing for granted. The Net: Using the Net reduces costs and time; distance is not a factor. To join, complete the form at the bottom of the page. You will be added to the Distribution list Participants are not required to join Amnesty International. Those deciding to join may do so through the Amnesty International website. If, at any time, you wish to discontinue participating, you need only to send us an email. How does it work? The Net receives Urgent Action requests from Amnesty or other international organizations Requests for help along with a sample letter is sent to the participants. Participants are asked to respond upon receipt. Labour activists and Human Rights workers around the world are depending on you. Fred Kirby, South Bruce Group 97URGENT ACTION - IRAN No one knows where two trade unionists are being held captive. This makes them very vulnerable to abuse. UA 115/07 16 May 2007 Incommunicado detention / Fear of torture or ill-treatment / Prisoners of conscience Trade unionists: Heis Amani (m) and Sedigh Karimi (m) Amnesty International fears that trade unionists Heis Amani and Sedigh Karimi may be held incommunicado at an unknown location and are possibly at risk of torture or ill-treatment. Amnesty International believes that the two men are prisoners of conscience, held solely for the peaceful expression of their conscientiously held beliefs, and calls for their immediate release. Heis Amani is the head of the Union of Unemployed and Dismissed Workers (Ettehadiye Kargaran-e Bikar va Ekhraji), while Sedigh Karimi is a member of the union's governing body. The two men were among some 400 people who took part in a demonstration on 1 May in Sanandaj, the capital of Iran’s Kordestan province, marking International Workers' Day. An unknown number of people were detained following the demonstration in Sanandaj. At least 12 people were held until 10 May and another was scheduled to be released on bail on 12 May. Heis Amani and Sedigh Karimi are now the only protesters still held by the authorities. Amnesty International has no news of their whereabouts, nor of any charges brought against them. BACKGROUND INFORMATION In recent months, members of Iran’s organised labour movement have held numerous demonstrations aimed at drawing attention to their working and living conditions. On 1 May, demonstrations were broken up by security forces in Sanandaj and Tehran, where up to 600 workers reportedly chanted slogans against the government and parliament. In March and April, hundreds of teachers, mostly members of local Teachers’ Associations or the National Council of Teachers’ Associations, were detained in connection with demonstrations which began in March 2007 by teachers demanding higher pay and better working conditions. All those arrested in connection with the demonstrations were later released. Late in April, many more teachers were arrested, including, on 7 April, the entire board of the Hamedan Teachers’ Association, who were held in connection with events organized by the Association's leadership. They have since been freed. The harassment and arrest of labour leaders has been accompanied by arrests of students and women’s rights activists as part of an apparent crackdown on the internationally recognized rights to free expression and free association by the Iranian authorities. For more information, please see: Iran: Arrests of peaceful demonstrators and activists continue, at: http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE130452007?open&of=ENG-IRN and Iran: Beating and arrest of workers is no way to commemorate May Day, at http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE130492007?open&of=ENG-IRN . RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible - calling on the authorities immediately to reveal the whereabouts of trade unionists Heis Amani and Sedigh Karimi, who have reportedly been detained incommunicado in Sanandaj since 1 May; - urging the authorities to release Heis Amani and Sedigh Karimi immediately and unconditionally, if they are held solely for their peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression or association in support of workers’ rights; - calling on the authorities to ensure that while Heis Amani and Sedigh Karimi are in custody they have unconditional access to their families and lawyers of their choice; - asking for a detailed account of the reasons for their arrest, including any charges brought against them; - calling on the authorities to ensure that Heis Amani and Sedigh Karimi are not tortured or ill-treated and to allow them immediate access to any medical treatment they may require. APPEALS TO: Leader of the Islamic Republic: His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei The
Office of the Supreme Leader Qom,
Islamic Republic of Iran (Mark
it FAO Office of His Excellency Ayatollah al Udhma Khamenei) Head of the Judiciary:
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi Panzdah-Khordad Square Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran (In the
subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi) Gholam
Hossein Mohseni Ejeie Second Negarestan Street, Pasdaran Avenue Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran COPIES TO: Mr Seyed Mahdi Mohebi Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy for the Islamic Republic of Iran 245 Metcalfe Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2K2 Fax: (613) 232-5712 Email: ambassador@iranembassy.org Governor of Kurdistan: Esmail Najjar By email only: If you are sending emails in Persian or Kurdish, please use the feedback form on the Persian part of the website: http://www.ostan-kd.ir/Default.aspx?tabId=150&cv=4@0_1. For all other languages, use the feedback form on the English part of the website: http://en.ostan-kd.ir/Default.aspx?TabID=59 Salutation: Dear Governor Thank you for your efforts to protect these two trade unionists. __________________________________________"I am so excited and very moved that so many people took action to help me ... Please thank your members very much and ask them to keep writing letters for everyone in situations like ours." ~ Dominga Vásquez, an Indigenous mayor who received threatening phone calls until UA appeals started to flood in to authorities in Guatemala First they came for the Jews and I
did not speak up Pastor Niemoeller – Victim of the Nazis
LETTER WRITING TIPS Always be polite: This rule is essential and invariable. Your aim is to help stop Human rights abuses, not to relieve your own feelings. Governments do not respond to abusive or condemnatory letters (however well deserved). Assume that the recipient of the letter is open to reason and discussion: Whenever possible stress the country’s reputation for moderation and justice. Express respect for its constitution and convey an understanding of any current difficulties. This will demonstrate a balanced understanding on your part which will predispose the recipient of the letter to be more open to your suggestions for human rights improvements. Follow strictly the instructions given by Amnesty International in the case in question: For instance, if you are asked to appeal for medical treatment for a prisoner limit your written request to this topic. A speedy trial or release might be desirable, but not appropriate for a specific situation. Never use political jargon: Do not give the impression that you are writing because you are ideologically or politically opposed to the government in question. It is far more effective to stress the fact your concern for human rights is not politically based in any way, but in keeping with basic principles of international law. Tell them who you are and what you do: This shows that the letter is genuine and that people from varying walks of life are following events in the country concerned. Mention any special interests in, or ties to, the country in question: For instance, you may have visited it, studied its history, or been a member of a local association for friendship with it. Be brief: A simple, one line letter is adequate and is certainly better than no letter at all. Limit yourself to one page (one-sided). Long letters are less likely to be read. Only in exceptional cases are long letters effective. URGENT ACTION – GUATEMALA Reference: UA 67/08 Fear for safety
4 April 2006
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