International day of support for political prisoners in Iran

On 20 June protests will be held across the world to demand an end to the imprisonment, torture and execution of innocent trade unionists, students and youth in Iran.

Many are imprisoned for such crimes as ‘propaganda against the Islamic regime’ ie the free expression of opinions, or for organising trade unions (illegal in Iran), or for taking part in activities of religious or ethnic minorities.

Some have languished on death row for years. Not that the regime is afraid of carrying out executions; Iran carries out more executions than any other state apart from China and Saudi Arabia.

Currently, dozens of trade unionists and hundreds of political activists are imprisoned. The imprisoned worker activists include Reza Shahabi, a leader of the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company and Abdolreza Ghanbari, a teacher, who has been sentenced to death and who is in imminent danger of execution.

We demand the release of all political prisoners. Down with the despot Ahmadinajad and the theocratic regime, for a socialist Iran in a socialist federation of the Middle East.

Paul Gerrard