Iran: Imminent Execution of Farzad Kamangar

Iran: Imminent Execution of Farzad Kamangar

Brussels, 26 November 2008 (ITUC OnLine): Farzad Kamangar, the Iranian Kurdish teacher and social worker sentenced to death on, according to his lawyer, "absolutely zero evidence", could be hanged on Wednesday 26

November 2008.

According to the information received by Education International (EI), Farzad Kamangar has been taken from his cell 121 in ward 209 of Tehran's Evin prison in preparation for execution. Jail security officers are said to have told him he is about to be executed whilst making fun of him and calling him a martyr.

In a letter sent to Iran's supreme leader, http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/Imminent_execution_of_Farzad_Kamangar_26 -11-08.pdf , the ITUC declared that although Mr. Kamangar has been sentenced to death on 25 February 2008 by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, his lawyer has said: "Nothing in Kamangar's judicial files and records demonstrates any links to the charges brought against him." Kamangar was cleared of all charges during the investigation process. The last time Kamangar was seen was at the health clinic of Evin prison. He was in poor health and bore signs of having been beaten. Mr. Kamangar has not been allowed to see his lawyer or family members for the past two months.

The Iranian authorities have a history of sentencing Iranian labour activists for simply trying to exercise basis trade union rights and and for criticising maltreatment and torture of prisoners.

The ITUC is extremely concerned that the Iranian authorities are now seriously considering moving to execution of peaceful labour activists. ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder said:" The right to life is a fundamental human right. The Iranian authorities must stay the execution order of Mr. Kamangar, and ensure that he is given a fair trial."

The ITUC supports the EI's campaign to save Mr. Kamangar's life and its appeal to the ILO to intervene on his behalf. The EI campaign has generated 1,700 online messages appealing to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to ensure a fair trail for Mr. Kamangar, and the campaign has also appealed repeatedly to Iranian judicial authorities to halt the execution.

To see the EI campaign: http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=917&theme=rights&country=iran

To see Labour start petition: http://www.labourstart.org/farzad

The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates. http://www.ituc-csi.org

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