REPRESSION OF TEHRAN BUS DRIVERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Early day motion 1628, tabled 13 February 2006 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 43 members.

That this House notes with great concern the continuing and growing repressive measures taken by the Iranian regime against the activists of the Vahed Bus Company Trade Union in Tehran over the past two months, including the detention of their wives and daughters from their homes on the night before 28th January strike, and the arrest of many hundreds of workers and their supporters on the day of the strike, which has resulted in dozens of arrested workers going on hunger strike in the infamous Evin prison; urges the Iranian government to release all trade unionists, their families and other supporters, including Mr Mansour Ossanlou who has been held in custody since 22nd December 2005; and calls upon the UK Government to press the Iranian government to respect trade union rights and International Labour Organisation conventions.

Signatures by party: Labour 34, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.