NEU activists have launched an appeal for solidarity with teachers inside Iran who are facing repression from the regime for taking part in peaceful protests and joining the independent teachers’ union the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association. The appeal below has been circulated to NEU district secretaries. Azadeh Neman, NEU International Solidarity Officer in North Kent explains why she and other NEU activists are appealing for solidarity.

Join the protest on Saturday 16 September – solidarity with the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising: meet at the London Eye, 11am

“We are gathering at 11:00 am at the London Eye for a demonstration in support of all Iranian people, many of whom under 18, who have lost their lives at the hand of the regime, in support of all political prisoners, union activists, and most importantly our Iranian colleagues who have been subject to a brutal campaign of harassment since the day they organised the Trade Association of Iranian Teachers (TTIA). As an example, Jaafar Ebrahimi, a teacher and a union activist, has been in prison for many months where his health has suffered greatly. He may lose his sight, but the government has refused medical attention or hospitalisation. Instead they have moved him to a prison specifically designed for hard criminals. Iranian teachers, in response, have started a 100k signatures petition that has gathered more than 37000 signatures in less than two months. 

My colleague from Oxford, Behnoosh Sabah, has translated their letter. We are now gathering signatures in an attempt to voice our support. This will be a great show of solidarity and comradery with the brave Iranian teachers who are risking their jobs, freedom, and may be lives for basic human rights.

It is now an NEU policy to recognise TTIA and to work in support of the Iranian teachers. Please sign the petition and if you are able to do so, come to our rally. Remember that the regime is anxiously monitoring any grassroot demos outside the country as they are afraid of their base’ fragile morale. Let us tell them that a teacher’s place is not in jail. That being a member of the union is not a crime, Iranian constitution in fact allow that.Let the teachers teach

Azadeh Neman, NEU International Solidarity Officer, North Kent

Dear teachers,

We are the conscience of our society.

As you read this letter, the Iranian teachers are risking their jobs and freedom to stand up for their imprisoned colleagues. For safer schools. For free education. We are asking you to stand with them and support an ongoing “100000 signature campaign” dedicated to advocating for the rights and justice of educators and teachers in Iran. 

As highlighted in the petition, Iranian teachers are facing imprisonment for their simple demands for fair compensation, safe schools, and free education. Shockingly, they have received long prison sentences merely for participating in peaceful protests. The simple act of joining ITTA (Iranian teachers’ Trade Association) can and has been considered an unforgivable crime by the Government of Iran.

As a member of the NEU community, we believe that educational institutions should exhibit unwavering solidarity with teachers striving for their rights and justice everywhere, and in this case, in Iran. We earnestly implore NEU to amplify its support for this campaign by disseminating information about the petition among faculties, staffs, and colleagues. By doing so, NEU can play a pivotal role in raising awareness and fostering a collective voice that draws attention to these pressing concerns.

We sincerely believe that NEU’s active participation in endorsing this campaign would send a resounding message of solidarity and encouragement to teachers worldwide. Such engagement would underline the significance of upholding educators’ rights and fostering a just and equitable environment within the realm of education.

Together, let’s show our solidarity with our Iranian colleagues.

To sign this petition please click here

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Text of the petition launched by Iranian teacher activists

The 100,000 Signature Campaign, Support Imprisoned Teachers and End Fabricated Cases Against Union Activists

Dear Educators and Teachers,

As you are well aware, our fellow colleagues have been engaged in advocating for their rights and justice through peaceful means for more than two decades. However, each time our demands have been presented to the authorities, they have met us with hostility and suppression, resorting to repressive tactics. Even instances where the parliament and government recognized the teachers’ demands, some of our dedicated colleagues have found themselves entangled in fabricated cases and subjected to punishments, including severe sentences of expulsion and imprisonment. They have even faced discrimination in their pay scale rankings.

These issues have extended to include the imposition of lengthy prison sentences on colleagues in different provinces, initiation of cases in courts and administrative misconduct boards, as well as the issuance of verdicts for dismissals, compulsory retirements, and separations for hundreds of teachers across the nation.

In response, approximately 1,200 teachers took a significant step in mid-July. They authored a letter directed to the Head of the Judiciary, with copies sent to the parliamentary and governmental leaders. The purpose of this letter was to draw attention to these matters, urging for the release of union activists and an end to security measures and the manipulation of cases against them. Regrettably, the Judiciary and the Presidency did not acknowledge this letter.

Consequently, we have chosen to bring this matter to the forefront by initiating a nationwide campaign. The goal is to measure the level of support for our fellow colleagues, advocate for the release of imprisoned teachers, cease the initiation of cases in courts and administrative misconduct boards, and establish future court proceedings with transparency and the presence of impartial tribunals.

In this regard, we kindly request that you not only sign this letter and participate in the campaign through the provided link but also extend the campaign link to your fellow colleagues. By doing so, we aim to amplify our united message and collectively register a hundred thousand signatures, effectively communicating our concerns to all relevant officials.

With heartfelt gratitude

P.S: Pay scale ranking was the measure introduced by the government to bring up their pay to 80% of those teaching at universities. The questionnaire, however, mainly focuses on whether a teacher follows the government ideologies rather than on their experience. Hence, becoming a member of teachers’ association will result in immediate loss of rank and huge reduction in their salary.