All teachers and education support personnel have the right to organise and be part of a union that represents and defends their values and interests. However, around the world, education unions are facing serious attacks and operate in increasingly challenging and hostile environments. Revitalising unions, building their power by boosting membership and active participation and maximising impact is the way forward.
The last teacher unionist imprisoned for his connection with the independent ETA (Ethiopia Teachers Association) in Ethiopia was released on 16 December. Meqcha Mengistu, Chairman of former ETA branch in East Gojam and EFAIDS programme coordinator, was officially pardoned after having served a three year prison term in the Kality...
Ethiopia: last detained teacher activist out of prison
Fears of a return to dictatorship and political violence in Honduras are compounding the grave economic crisis facing countries across Latin America.
Latin America - Teacher unions confront political and economic crises
Southeast Asian teachers who face violations of their trade union rights now have a new line of defence and a new source of solidarity. The EI Trade Union Rights Network (TURN) is really getting off the ground since representatives from member organisations in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand have...
More Rights, Fewer Violations
“We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning.” U.S. President Barack Obama, Cairo, 4 June 2009
Now, this time, another world is possible
Jafar Ebrahimi, the teacher trade unionist that was held in jail simply for trying to organise a union meeting, was freed on bail in December. However, EI remains concerned about the continued detention of Farzad Kamangar, Rasoul Bodaghi and Hashem Khastar. EI addressed a letter to the Supreme Leader Ali...
Iran: Farzad Kamangar still at risk of being executed
Thanks to the constant pressure of the international community, many of the detained colleagues from the former ETA (now NTA) have been released. Only one, Meqcha Mengistu, is still held captive in Kality prison in Addis Ababa.
One Ethiopian colleague still detained
One year after it was refused registration by the Ministry of Justice, the National Teachers Association (NTA) is still deprived of legal status in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia: Further delays in the registration request of the alternative Ethiopian teacher association NTA
As the world marks 10 December, International Human Rights Day, Education International once again asserts that the right to education is a fundamental and inalienable right of every person, and denounces last week’s bombing of a graduation ceremony in Somalia.
International Human Rights Day: EI condemns attacks on Somali graduation ceremony
“They are free. Egitim-Sen would like to thank you for your strong support. This is the success of international solidarity,” wrote Mehmet Bozgeyik, General Secretary of the Turkish teacher union to EI.
Turkey: 22 teachers unionists released after 6 months of unjustified detention
Teacher unions around the world are condemning the kidnapping and brutal murder of an elementary school principal in the Philippines.
Teacher unions condemn principal’s beheading
Tevita Koroi, President of Fijian Teachers Association, has been officially informed by the Ministry of Education that he will no longer be accepted as the representative of the FTA at major institutional education forums.
Fiji authorities further infringe trade union rights of teacher association
Sajad Khaksari, the son of two of Iran’s leading teacher trade unionists, remains in prison in Tehran even though he has been acquitted on all three charges against him.
Iranian government continues persecuting son of teacher trade unionists
10 October is the World Day Against the Death Penalty. This year, actions and initiatives across the globe focus on “Teaching abolition.” Education International supports these activities and joins other unions, NGOs and individuals in their fight for the abolition of the death penalty.
Education International against the death penalty: Teach abolition!
EI deplores the detention of 11 members of the Tehran teacher association on 6 October for "celebrating World Teachers' Day".
Iran: teacher unionists arrested for "celebrating World Teachers' Day"
EI supports the results of the high-level fact-finding mission of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to the Philippines, which asked the government to categorically denounce the killings of workers and the rampant violations of trade union rights.
EI supports ILO mission's denouncement of labour rights abuses in the Philippines
A study to be released today by Education International highlights the atrocious scale of human rights violations against Colombian teacher trade unionists.
Colombian teachers face highest rates of political violence: Education International
Teachers and trade unionists across Latin America have issued a strong denunciation of the violence and murders that have taken place since the military coup in Honduras, and call for the restitution of the country's legitimate president.
Another teacher killed in post-coup violence
Fears of a return to dictatorship and political violence in Honduras are compounding the grave economic crisis facing countries across Latin America.
Latin American educators confront political and economic crises