To the people of the world!

To trade unions, student unions, human rights and women’s rights organisations!

 

Help the people of Iran get rid of the Islamic regime!

 

 

On 16 and 19 February three labour activists by the names of Seddigh Amjadi, Faares Gaviliaan and Habibollah Kalekaani were flogged in the city of Sanandaj.  Eight others have also been sentenced to flogging.

 

Their crime?  Taking part in the May Day rally in that city last year!

 

This is a grave political incident in Iran.  With this appalling act, the Islamic Republic has taken one more step against the working class and all the people in Iran.  This incident should shock the world and arouse utmost outrage and revulsion.  This flogging strikes all the people.  It strikes a humanity that does not want the status quo.  Its aim is to silence, crush and dehumanize.  It is what the slave driver did to his slave some 20 centuries ago.  This time, however, they are dealing with a working class that has no intention of submitting; a working class whose struggles and leaders are known to the whole world.

 

Let’s have a look at the other recent actions of the regime:

 

·   Over 50 students have been arrested and tortured.  Their crime?  Taking part in student demonstrations in a number of universities in support of workers, against sexual apartheid, for the freedom of political prisoners and in support of freedom and equality;

·   According to official figures, in the past ten months, around 1 million women have been arrested, fined and/or flogged.  Their crime?  Being a woman, not being dressed as demanded by the Islamic government and for courtship with the opposite sex;

·   Mahmoud Salehi, a labour leader, is in prison, gravely ill.  His crime?  Taking part in the May Day rally in the city of Saqez in May 2006;

·   Teachers have been sentenced to prison terms.  Their crime?  Going on strike and holding protest rallies to ask for better pay and conditions and freedom of expression;

·   Two sisters by the names of Azar and Zohreh Kabiri have been sentenced to death by stoning.  Their crime?  They are accused of sex outside marriage;

·   Up to 300 people in Bandar Torkeman, in northern Iran, have been jailed or exiled.  Their crime?  Protesting at the murder of a fisherman by the security forces;

·   5 people in the city of Zahedan, in eastern Iran, by the names of M. A. Jalali, A. B. Reegy, A. Reegy, A. R. Roudini and D. Pahlevan, have had their right hands and left feet amputated for alleged kidnapping and armed attacks;

·   Two men by the names of Tayyeb and Yazdan in the Fars Province have been sentenced to be thrown to their deaths from a height for alleged sodomy;

·   Scores have been hanged in recent months;