31 July, 2014It has been confirmed that Reza Shahabi, the imprisoned Iranian trade unionist and prisoner of conscience, has called off his hunger strike following his release on medical grounds to a civilian hospital on 11 July.
Shahabi, the treasurer of the ITF-affiliated Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (or Vahed union) was unjustly arrested in 2010 for his trade union activities. His health has apparently suffered as a result of injuries sustained during his imprisonment, while repeated calls for his release from international organisations including the ITF, International Labour Organization (ILO) and Amnesty International, have yet to be taken up fully by the Iranian government.
In a letter to ITF acting general secretary, Stephen Cotton, IndustriALL offered its full support to the ITF in its campaigning and demanded “the immediate and unconditional release of Brother Reza Shahabi and proper medical treatment for securing his life. The IndustriALL family strongly feels that global unions should work together to mobilize solidarity for making sure that Iran respects human and trade union rights.”
IndustriALL also calls on all affiliates to support ITF’s LabourStart campaign in support of Reza Shahabi.