[Greens-Media] NSW Upper House slams execution of Iranian unionist

[John Kaye]

NSW Upper House slams execution of Iranian unionist
 
Media release: 12 May 2010
 
The Legislative Council of the NSW Parliament this morning unanimously condemned the execution of Iranian teacher and trade unionist Farzad Kamangar, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. 
 
Dr Kaye said: "Mr Kamangar was executed on 9th May after a trial that failed to meet international or even Iranian standards for fairness.
 
"Mr Kamangar offended a regime that is determined to repress free trade unions 
 
"His only 'crime' was standing up for the rights of Iranian teachers. 
 
"Harassment, imprisonment and execution of trade union officials and the ill-treatment of their families are becoming increasingly common.
 
"The NSW Upper House unanimously passed the Greens motion calling on the Iranian Government to immediately free all trade unionists and other political prisoners held in Iranian gaols and to end the campaign of harassment against their families. 
 
"The motion which the President of the Legislative Council has been asked to send to the Iranian ambassador and the Supreme Leader in Tehran also demanded the restoration of the internationally accepted right of Iranian workers to organise in trade unions.
 
"On behalf of The Greens I extend sympathy to Mr Kamangar's family and colleagues and all those who grieve for the loss of a hero of the struggle for a free and democratic Iran ," Dr Kaye said. 
 
The full text of the motion passed by the Legislative Council follows.
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 

 
Dr Kaye moved
 
That this House:
 
(a) denounces the execution of Iranian teacher and trade unionist Farzad Kamangar together with four other political prisoners on Sunday 9 May 2010,
 
(b) notes that the trial of Mr Kamangar did not meet international or even Iranian standards for fairness,
 
(c) notes the execution of Mr Kamangar is part of an escalation of the Iranian Government's programme of repression of free trade unions, which includes the harassment, imprisonment and execution of trade union officials and the ill-treatment of their families,
 
(d) calls on the Iranian Government to immediately free all trade unionists and other political prisoners held in Iranian gaols, end the campaign of harassment against the families of prisoners and restore the internationally accepted right of Iranian workers to organise in free trade unions,
 
(e) extends sympathy to Mr Kamangar's family and colleagues and all those who grieve for the loss of a hero of the struggle for a free and democratic Iran, and
 
(f) requests the President to forward a copy of this motion to the Iranian Ambassador to Australia and to the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
 
(Notice given 11 May 2010)
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000