IMPRISONMENT AND MALTREATMENT OF SHAHROKH ZAMANI AND OTHER TRADE UNIONISTS IN IRAN

Early day motion 52, tabled 5 June 2014 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 35 members.

That this House notes with great concern that Shahrokh Zamani, a member of the Painters' Union, was charged with endangering national security and participating in an illegal organisation following his attempts to build an independent trade union and was then physically and psychologically abused, denied medication, denied access to visitors and was recently transferred to the notorious Ghezel Hesar prison before returning to Rajai Shahr prison; further notes the recent 47-day hunger strike conducted by Mr Zamani in protest against his maltreatment and that of fellow prisoners; urges the Iranian government to release Mr Zamani unconditionally; and calls on the Government to press the Iranian government to respect trade union rights and International Labour Organization conventions.

Signatures by party: Labour 21, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1.