Reza Shahabi’s Defense Committee is greatly concerned about his situation and holds security and judiciary official responsible for any consequences due their continued neglect of this case. We also call on all Iranian and international Labor organizations to formally protest against Mr. Shahabi’s treatment.”
Reza Shahabi the Secretary-Treasurer of Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company has been incarcerated based on sham charges for three and half years now. Back in June of 2010 while Mr. Shahabi was at home recuperating from back injuries he was summoned to Bus Company’s headquarters and arrested on the premises.
During these years of illegal incarceration, for the past three and half years, his physical condition has consistently deteriorated and despite numerous, repeated medical advice of all official physicians and coroners, the judiciary has consciously prevented him from receiving the medical care he needs. Neglecting the health of injured and sick political prisoners in Iran is part of a well established pattern of homicidal negligence pursued by judiciary of Islamic Republic who have been quoted as saying ;” this way we get rid of all of them by attrition.”
In the past few years there have been numerous calls from various international labor and human rights organizations for immediate release of Mr. Shahabi. Amnesty International also issued a statement in his support in November of last year. On 21 December 21 2013 Mr. Shahabi was sent to Hospital for an MRI scan.
Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company and Reza Shahabi’s Defense Committee, both have issued statements, describing the critical physical conditions of Mr. Shahabi and demanding his immediate release. Below are excerpts from each statement:
“Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company once again calls on all Labor and Human Rights organizations to continue efforts for Mr. Shahabi’s freedom and demand his immediate release. We hold officials responsible to compensate Mr. Shahabi’s family for all his unpaid salary and benefits, thus alleviating them from the immense financial burden they are experiencing on a daily basis. We also call on International Labor Organization to bring justice to this case – 21 December 2012“
“According to reports while Mr. Shahabi was sent to hospital for MRI scan, he was clearly in severe pain, needing help for slightest movements and numbness of his left leg.
In the past month due to severe spinal pain he has been under constant medication, as the only way to endure his constant pain. His physical condition has deteriorated so bad that his left leg is completely numb and he needs assistance from others for the slightest movement such as bathing or using the restroom. Despite coroner’s repeated advice for his immediate medical care, security and judicial officials have refused to allow him a medical leave of absence and they have even prevented his family from visiting him.
These conditions have critically aggravated his illness. Reza Shahabi’s Defense Committee is greatly concerned about his situation and holds security and judiciary official responsible for any consequences due their continued neglect of this case. We also call on all Iranian and international Labor organizations to formally protest against Mr. Shahabi’s treatment.”
IASWI has prepared the attached video about Reza Shahabi’s situation. Please post/distributed widely.
* Prepared by International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI)
www.workers-iran.org
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