روزنه rowzane خبری – تحلیلی
To all workers’ and human rights organisations around the world
According to Ms Farzaneh Zilabi, lawyer of Esmaeil Bakhshi (the popular leader of sugar cane workers of Haft Tapeh in Khozestan Province, Iran), he became unconscious during a visit by his family on 24th February 2019. The family said “for some moments we witnessed our child’s death.”
This shocking news proves that Esmaeil Bakhshi is under brutal torture in the Islamic regime’s prison, and his family are being traumatised and under immense pressure. Bakhshi’s family were denied visitations for a long time and now see their son in such a condition.
According to this news, Bakhshi’s life is in danger, which requires an urgent action.
By torturing Esmaeil Bakhshi, the Islamic Republic of Iran is taking revenge for the powerful strike by sugar cane workers that mobilised the society and which received much international attention and solidarity. Today the people of Iran associate Esmaeil Bakhshi with the discourse of freedom, equality and people’s councils.
Esmaeil Bakhshi was released from prison on 12th December 2019 after spending 25 days in custody for his role in the strike. After his release he published an open letter and challenged Mahmoud Alavi, the head of the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic, to a televised debate over the torture he had undergone.
Sepideh Gholiyan, the student activist who was arrested along with Bakhshi, supported the claims and publicly spoke out about the tortures she too had been subjected to.
The Islamic regime of Iran then broadcast a reportage called “Burnt Plot” in which the activists were accused of “action against national security”, etc. Following the broadcasting of the reportage, both Esmaeil Bakhshi and Sepideh Gholiyan, who had called for public hearing of their claims, were arrested again.
According to reports, currently Bakhshi and Gholiyan are under torture so they would take back their claims of being tortured in custody.
Esmaeil Bakhshi has a special place in the hearts of the people of Iran. With his defence of freedom, equality and council-based governance as the only solution to the current system of corruption, embezzlement and rip-off by the political and economic elite, he has brought hope to many. He is in prison for these brilliant struggles.
Esmaeil Bakhshi’s situation is perilous and critical. The Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran (Free Them Now) calls on all workers’ and human rights organisations around the world to take urgent actions in support of Esmaeil Bakhshi and Sepideh Gholiyan. We request that you put pressure on the Islamic Republic, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of these activists and all political prisoners and an end to this system of torture in prisons and persecution of people’s justice-seeking protests.
Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran – Free Them Now!
Shahla.daneshfar2@gmail.com
24 February 2019
