URGENT ACTION
PUBLIC AI Index: MDE
13/094/2006
17 August 2006
Further Information on UA 08/06 (MDE 13/002/2006, 9 January 2006) Arbitrary
arrest/possible prisoner of conscience/medical concern
IRAN Mansour Ossanlu (m), Head of the Union of
Workers of the Tehran
and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed)
Mansour Ossanlu, the Head of the Union of Workers of
the Tehran and Suburbs Bus
Company (Sherkat-e Vahed),
was released on 9 August after payment of bail
amounting to 150,000,000 Toumans (approximately
US$163,000). He had been
detained since 22 December 2005 in Section 209 of Evin
Prison in the capital,
Along with 17 other trade unionists (see UA 26/06, MDE 13/008/2006, 02 February
2006, and follow-up) Mansour Ossanlu is said to be
awaiting trial before Branch
14 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on charges which may include propaganda
against the system through leaflets and interviews with foreign anti-government
radio stations, and acting to disturb internal state security by establishing
links with hostile opposition groups and foreign countries. The exact nature of
the charges is not yet known.
If he is convicted solely on the basis of charges which are not recognisably
criminal, and relate solely to his peaceful exercise of his internationally
recognized right to form and join trade unions or to freedom of expression,
Amnesty International would consider Mansour Ossanlu
and any others convicted
of such charges to be prisoners of conscience and would call for their
immediate and unconditional release.
There is no further news on Mansour Ossanlu's eye
complaint, which was said to
be endangering his sight.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Union of Workers of the
founded in 1979 and resumed activities in 2004 after a 25-year ban. It is still
not legally recognised.
Rights, Article 22 (1) of which states: Everyone shall have the right to
freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade
unions for the protection of his interests. Article 26 of
states: The formation of parties, societies, political or professional
associations … is permitted provided they do not violate the principles of
independence, freedom, national unity, the criteria of Islam, or the basis of
the Islamic republic. No one may be prevented from participating in the
aforementioned groups, or be compelled to participate in them.