An appeal from Education International (the international confederation of teacher trade unions) and the Swedish teachers’ union.

Farzad Kamangar, a 33-year old teacher and former trade unionist from the Kurdistan Province of Iran, is at risk of execution following the ruling issued at an unfair trial.

In spite of joint efforts from various national and international organisations to have death sentence of Farzad Kamangar commuted, it was upheld by the Supreme Court on 11 July 2008. Iranian trade union and human rights activists who show solidarity with Farzad are being subjected to intimidation by the Iranian authorities.

Kamangar, who worked as a teacher in rural areas and was a human rights activist, is accused of being a terrorist through his alleged affiliation to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, PKK. His lawyer, who was not permitted to defend him, says Farzad's trial was not in accordance with article 168 of the Iranian Constitution: “Political and press offences will be tried openly and in the presence of a jury, in courts of justice.” In this case, only one judge reviewed the case within five minutes and the defendant was not allowed to speak.

A support committee has been established to defend the civil rights of Farzad Kamangar. Following the first meeting of the Committee, three teachers were arrested and taken to the Intelligence Detention Centre in Sanandaj, in the Iranian province of Kurdistan. Two — Hassan Ghorbani and Kaveh Rostami — are still in detention, while the third, Ahmad Ghorbani, was released on bail after two weeks. Farzad's supporters and their family members are regularly intimidated by police.

EI also condemns the torture of Farzad Kamangar while in detention and the subsequent denial of medical treatment. When his family was last allowed to visit him in prison, his injuries were such that he was unable to walk.

What can you do?

Write to the Iranian authorities calling for a review of the case, the stopping and of the death sentence and torture and free association for trade unions.

Address: President Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran 13168-43311, Islamic Republic of Iran

E-mail: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir [1]

Copy your letter to the Iranian embassy in your country.