Condemn the arrest of Esmaeil Bakhshi, Sepideh Gholian, Ali Nejati

The sugar cane workers of Haft Tapeh in Iran, with their determination, unity and resilience have inspired many and mobilised society to support the struggling workers in the fight for their rights against the regime.

Esmaeil Bakhshi, elected representative and leader of the workers’ council of the Haft Tapeh sugar cane workers, who has had a key role in uniting, organising and leading the workers, was arrested on 18th November 2018. He was admitted to hospital on 29th November for life-threatening injuries as a result of brutal torture – stomach bleeding and bruises all over his body. He has been tortured to accept fabricated accusations by the authorities, who try to frame him with a bogus “national security” charge, to which he has refused to yield. Under torture, Bakhshi has been insisting on the legitimate demands of the workers. This worthy workers’ leader deserves undivided international support.

The sugar cane workers of Haft Tapeh have been on strike for four weeks over unpaid wages; harsh working conditions; demands to expel embezzlers within the company’s management who were exposed by the workers; and their demand that the workers’ council should supervise the running of the corporation.

Ali Nejati, representative of the Haft Tapeh Syndicate, and his son Payam Nejati were also arrested recently but Payam Nejati has been released in the meantime.

Sepideh Gholian (student and activist) who was reporting from the sugar cane workers’ protest is still in custody.

The Islamic Republic of Iran aims to push back protesting workers and the people through arrests and torture of workers’ leaders and activists. The regime must feel the pressure of international human solidarity!

The inspiring workers who fight for justice and against oppression have brought hope for a better future to many, they must know that they are not alone.

Worker-communist Party of Iran

30 November 2018