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ACCRS

Education unionist released in Iran

Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association, was released from prison on 25 June. Abdi, targeted by the Iranian authorities for his union activism and campaign for free and accessible public education for all, was sentenced to six years in jail on false charges in October 2016 and had been kept in harsh detention conditions in the Evin prison.

On 30 April, Abdi started a hunger strike to protest the continued unlawful repression of teachers and human rights defenders and the lack of judicial independence in Iran. In May, EI reiterated its call for global solidarity to demand Abdi’s immediate and unconditional release, and that the Iranian government lift all sanctions against education unionists for conducting their legitimate trade union activities.