Imprisoned Labor Activists in Need of Medical Treatments

Two imprisoned labor activists are in need of medical treatments outside the prisons and Behnam Ebrahimzadeh has his son Nima being treated for cancer. Three letters have been published in this regard asking for support of these labor activists.

Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Workers Syndicates has released a statement on the condition of Reza Shahabi. The text of the statement reads as follows:

According to Reza Shahabi’s wife, a member of the directors of Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Syndicate, who is spending terms of his six year sentence in Evin prison, Shahabi is suffering from acute pain in the back and legs and his left side is paralyzed forcing him to pull his left leg when walking. He is also suffering from digestive and liver problems as a result of different drugs he has been using as well as skin sensitivities.

Considering that following his six hour surgery on his neck vertebra performed in hospital, Shahabi was to spend his recovery period outside prison by the recommendation of his doctors but denied by judicial authorities and he had to settle with the minimum offerings in prison, Reza has gone on a treatment strike asking for an inquiry into his just demands. This is putting this imprisoned prisoners health in danger. Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Workers Syndicate declares that safeguarding the life of the prisoner is the duty of the prison keepers and condemns these actions and negligence regarding the lives of the prisoners. The syndicate calls for immediate inquiry and treatment of Reza Shahabi outside the prison.

September 2013

The following letter was published by Zobeideh Hajizadeh, the wife of the imprisoned labor activist Behnam Ebrahimzadeh:

Do not Let my husband Behnam Ebrahimzadeh to be returned to prison, my son Nima needs his father’s presence

I write this letter to all who cherish liberty and humanity. Undoubtedly, all you dear friends, organizations and human rights institutions and all noble human beings who cherish humanity have heard the agonizing news about dear Nima, our only child’s illness.

You know with imprisonment of my husband, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, what pain and agonies we endure with his absense. My son, Nima, unfortunately, fell stricken to this agonizing and horrendous disease in the absence of his father and it has been several months that we have hospitalized Nima in Mahak special hospital for children. We have, however, brought Nima home recently but we have to take him back to Mahak hospital due to the emphasis of his doctors and severity of his condition. In this period that my husband was with us, spiritual condition of Nima was improved some. But the judicial authorities have now decided to take my husband and Nima’s father back to prison. Returning my husband, Behnam, back to prison will have a drastic impact on my only child dear Nima and for sure delay and endanger his treatment. My child, as he needs medicine given by his doctors for recovery, is also in need of his father. I am asking for his release.

The crime of my husband has only been defending workers and children. Behnam has been an aid and help for tens of workers and children families who have unjustly been sentenced. Should such a person be sitting in jail and denied visit of his only sick child and all those children who Behnam cherishes them? I, today, as mother of Nima Ebrahimzadeh and wife of Behnam Ebrahimzadeh ask all organizations and humanitarian and progressive institutions and all who cherish humanity to not allow in any ways that they can Behnam to be taken back to jail. Nima needs his father and I and we also need your help. Do not leave us alone as you have been in the past. I wholeheartedly thank all. Help us so Behnam stays with us.

Zobeideh Hajizadeh

Mohammad Jarrahi, another imprisoned labor activist, went under surgery for the cancer of thyroids. Jarrahi is in need of treatment outside prison. In a letter to the head of the Painters Syndicate, which he is a member of, Jarrahi has described his ordeal:

Esteemed head of the Iranian Construction Painters Syndicate

With Greetings and Respects,

With salutes to your excellency and the other esteemed members of the Painters Syndicate and appreciation for your hard work for all labor activists and hard working workers in Iran, I should tell you that I, Mohammad Jarrahi, labor activist and a member of the Painters Syndicate with close to 26 years of trade union activity has been on numerous times arrested and subjected to harassment for defending workers rights. I was arrested on June 2010 by intelligence offices in city of Tabriz on charges of activity in defense of workers’ rights and after spending two months under torture and physical and psychological duress was sentenced to five years with lashes by Tabriz Revolutionary Court in an adjust ruling and I have been spending my terms for more than past two years in Tabriz central prison.

During this time due to my age, being 55 years old, and the improper health and dietary conditions in the prison have been have been stricken with such diseases as cancer of thyroids, diabetes and cholesterol.

Unfortunately, however, to this point no appropriate action has been taken by the prison authorities for my treatment. It is worth noting that I have been once gone under surgery for the cancer of the thyroids and according to the specialists have to continue the treatment outside the prison walls. Thus, I had attempted to complete the medical records and send them to the Forensics for their opinion on ending my incarceration. Yet, with more than five months passed, I have not received any word.
I have to say that in the past two years, I have not been given any leaves and even following the operation and despite the doctor’s opinion on full rest, the prison authorities refrained from issuing treatment leave permits and I was immediately returned to prison after the surgery.

Given the points mentioned, I equivocally declare that the handed sentence has been totally unjust and by orders from above and I have been a victim of my activities on attaining workers’ rights. Thus, along with providing the above report on my sentence and physical conditions, I am asking to pursue my case so that justice shall prevail on my case.

With Thanks and Appreciation,
Mohammad Jarrahi, Labor Activist
Iran Labor Report