ICFTU protests against arresting of worker activist Mr Borhan Divangar by Iranian authorities

Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran

98-21-6648.06.65

TUR/JS 19 August 2005

Dear Mr. President,

Arrest of Mr Borhan Divangar

Last month I wrote to your predecessor to protest against anti-union behaviour in Iran on behalf of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), which represents more than 145 million workers through its 234 affiliated trade union centres in 154 countries and territories worldwide. I am now obliged to protest to you against the arrests of Borhan Divangar and Mahmoud Salehi.

The ICFTU has been informed that at 2am on 7 August, the Iranian security forces raided the home of Mr Borhan Divangar, a member of the Saqez Bakery Workers’ Union. I understand that Mr Divangar was arrested and his computer and other belongings were seized, and that later that day he was charged among other things with membership of the “Committee to Follow up the Establishment of Free Labour Organisations”, membership of the newly formed unemployed workers’ organisation, managing a labour web site in Iran called "Tashakol" (www.tashakol.com), and with participating in the recent demonstrations in Saqez.

Mahmoud Salehi was arrested on 4 August for one hour for participating in the same demonstrations. Before his release he was warned against participating in any demonstrations and strikes in Saqez. The ICFTU considers the arrest to be further harassment of Mr. Salehi in reprisal for his independent trade union activities.
According to my information Borhan Divangar was still in custody at the time of writing. I also understand that his wife has only been able to see him briefly and that she had noticed signs of physical abuse on his face. Reports suggest that he may have been beaten to the point of having difficulties to speak.

Membership of trade union organisations such as those mentioned in the charges against Mr Divangar is perfectly legitimate under international law and cannot in any way constitute a crime.
By virtue of Iran’s membership of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), your government is bound to uphold the right to freedom of association and therefore also the right to organise.
The ICFTU therefore urges you to take the necessary measures to ensure the immediate release of Borhan Divangar and that all charges against him be dropped.

Equally, in line with recommendations by the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA), I urge you to also drop the charges made against him and 6 others in connection with the celebration of 1st May 2004 in Saqez.

The ICFTU has closely monitored the respect of fundamental worker’s rights and human rights in Iran and will continue to do so in the future. However, I trust that the new government will not ignore core labour standards.

In the meantime, I look forward to your swift and decisive action to ensure the release of Borhan Divangar.

Yours sincerely,

General Secretary