Iran Reports

Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) shocked by Shahrokh Zamani’s death in prison

 
15 September 2015

Iran: One of the most well-known and respected imprisoned labour activists Shahrokh Zamani died in prison

The BWI was shocked to hear that Shahrokh Zamani, one of the most well-known and respected imprisoned labour activists in Iran, died on 13 September 2015 in Gohardasht (Rajai Shahr) Prison in Karaj. “The BWI calls for stronger mobilization against persecution of labour activists in Iran and fully supports the call for an independent international inquiry into this death and the conditions of other jailed labour activists and political prisoners in Iran,” says Ambet Yuson.

There is a growing belief that Shahrokh was killed in prison and therefore many hold the Iranian government accountable for his death. In this prison, many prisoners go through severe torture, medical neglects and gross mistreatments by security guards and prison authorities.

Shahrokh was found unconscious. He was taken to the prison’s medical centre and doctors announced him dead. The authorities claimed that a stroke was the cause of his death but there are confirmed reports that there were visible bruises on his body.

Shahrokh Zamani was originally arrested in June 2011 and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment after conviction on charges including “acting against national security by establishing membership of groups opposed to the system” and “spreading propaganda against the establishment”.

Shahrokh was a member of the Founding Board of the Syndicate of Paint Workers of Tehran and the Committee to Pursue the Establishment of Workers Organizations.

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