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| {{Short description|Iranian activist}} | |||
| {{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| | name = Esmail Bakhshi | | name = Esmail Bakhshi | ||
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| | alt = | | alt = | ||
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|6|18|df=y}} | ||
| ⚫ | | birth_place = ], ], ] | ||
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| ⚫ | | birth_place = ], ] |
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| | death_date = | | death_date = | ||
| | death_place = | | death_place = | ||
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| nationality = ]ian | ||
| | other_names = | | other_names = | ||
| | occupation = Worker, Labor Unionist | | occupation = Worker, Labor Unionist | ||
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| ''' Esmail Bakhshi '''(]: اسماعیل بخشی) is an Iranian ]ist and a founding member and |
''' Esmail Bakhshi '''(]: اسماعیل بخشی; born 18 June 1983) is an Iranian activist, political prisoner, ]ist, and a founding member and the ] of ] (Persian: شرکت نیشکر هفتتپه) in the ] of ].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-labor-leader-bakhshi-torture-reports/29630095.html|title=Labor Activists Say Detained Worker Tortured, Sent To Hospital|website=RFE/RL|language=en|access-date=2019-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iran-hrm.com/index.php/2018/04/17/haft-tappeh-sugar-cane-company/|title=A report on Crackdown On Haft Tappeh sugar cane company workers|date=2018-04-17|website=Iran HRM|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> | ||
| == Arrests == | |||
| On November 18, 2018 Esmail Bakhshi was arrested, together with more than a dozen other workers, during labor protests at the local sugar factory in the Iranian city of ]. All of those arrested were soon released on bail with the notable exception of Esmail Bakhshi who was held, without charge or legal representation, on the suspicion of crimes against "national security". The Iranian Ministry of Labor announced that it is unable to intervene on Bakhshi's behalf because of the nature of the case.<ref |
On November 18, 2018 Esmail Bakhshi was arrested, together with more than a dozen other workers, during labor protests at the local sugar factory in the Iranian city of ]. All of those arrested were soon released on bail with the notable exception of Esmail Bakhshi who was held, without charge or legal representation, on the suspicion of crimes against "national security". The Iranian Ministry of Labor announced that it is unable to intervene on Bakhshi's behalf because of the nature of the case.<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://irannewswire.org/iran-sugarcane-labor-activist-tortured-in-detention/|title=Iran Sugarcane labor activist tortured in detention|date=2018-11-29|website=Iran News Wire|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> | ||
| The workers of ] were protesting several months of unpaid wages following the privatization of the company, with no transparency or oversight, by the Iranian officials.<ref>http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2018/11/18/Four-arrested-in-Iran-sugar-protests.html</ref> | The workers of ] were protesting several months of unpaid wages following the privatization of the company, with no transparency or oversight, by the Iranian officials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2018/11/18/Four-arrested-in-Iran-sugar-protests.html|title=Four arrested in Iran sugar protests|website=english.alarabiya.net|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> | ||
| On November 29, 2018 ], revealed in a statement that Esmail Bakhshi had been briefly hospitalized due to torture he had suffered while in government custody.<ref> |
On November 29, 2018 ], revealed in a statement that Esmail Bakhshi had been briefly hospitalized due to torture he had suffered while in government custody.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-labor-leader-bakhshi-torture-reports/29630095.html|title=Labor Activists Say Detained Worker Tortured, Sent To Hospital|website=RFE/RL|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-46383728|title=مقامهای خوزستان 'شکنجه' اسماعیل بخشی را تکذیب کردند|date=2018-11-29|access-date=2019-05-15|language=en-GB}}</ref> | ||
| == |
===Context=== | ||
| In August 2018, Esmaeil Bakhshi explained in an interview with the left-leaning Persian-language website Meidaan that labor protests at the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company go as far back as more than a decade ago, but as of 2018 the protests had become more radical, so much that the entire work force was on strike. As the spokesman for the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers Union, he believed that the inappropriate privatization of the factory was the main driver of protests. Bakhshi maintained that the inefficient management by the new owners and their lack of knowledge about the process of sugar production had created problems for the factory. The decisions of the management were, according to Bakhshi, generally unwise and lead to exploitation of the sugar workers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://meidaan.com/archive/57397|title=نه دولت و نه بخش خصوصی، هفتتپه ملک کارگران است|last=امیری|first=مرضیه|date=August 23, 2018 |website=میدان|language=fa-IR|access-date=2019-01-30}}</ref> | |||
| The sugar company was founded in the ] as one of the largest industrial undertakings in the Khuzestan province. The government owned the company until 2011. In 2015, it was sold, for an unspecified sum, to two private companies by the Iranian Privatization Organization. According to the workers, privatization only aggravated their problems.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-46319990|title=وزارت کار ایران: برای آزادی کارگر بازداشتی هفتتپه کاری نمیتوانیم بکنیم|date=2018-11-24|access-date=2019-01-31|language=en-GB}}</ref> | |||
| Esmaeil Bakhshi, is an Iranian worker, labor activist, political prisoner and the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane factory workers’ representative. He was arrested in November 2018, during a labor demonstration in Khuzestan. He played a major role in organizing protests by Haft-Tappeh workers, against the privatization of the factory and his most important demand was management by council (workers’ council). On November 24, 2018, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced that he is accused of national security charges and it can't have him released. (1)(2) His arrest caused protests from other workers. (3) On November 29, it was reported that he had been hospitalized due to torture in prison.<ref>https://irannewswire.org/iran-threatens-labor-activist-to-retract-torture-claims/</ref> | |||
| == |
===Assault by Masked Thugs=== | ||
| On January 17, 2018, the Iranian Labor News Agency reported that one of the workers of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Complex had been attacked by unidentified men. Labor activists confirmed that Esmaeil Bakhshi, the workers’ representative was the target of this attack. The incident took place on January 15, at around 5:30 pm, as he was leaving work for his home in ]. The Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers Union reported that after Bakhshi stepped out of the company bus, a group of masked men got out of two cars and physically assaulted him. Bakhshi's shoulder was injured in the incident. The public relations department of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company confirmed the attack. During the days before the attack, videos of Bakhshi's speeches had gone viral on the social media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran_hafttapeh_ismail_bakhshi_attack_reactions/28979028.html|title="حمله افراد نقابدار" به نماینده کارگران شرکت نیشکر هفتتپه|website=رادیو فردا|language=fa|access-date=2019-01-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hra-news.org/2018/hranews/a-13837/|title=خبرگزاری هرانا {{!}} اسماعیل بخشی، نماینده کارگران هفت تپه مورد حمله قرار گرفت - خبرگزاری هرانا|language=en|access-date=2019-01-30}}</ref> | |||
| On January 4, Esmail Bakhshi posted a note on his instagram page, also confirming his torture in prison, invited '''],''' minister of intelligence, to a live television show discussing torturing prisoners in prisons. | |||
| ===November 2018: First Arrest=== | |||
| Bakhshi also stated in this note, that his telephone was being tapped by security agencies, while he was talking with his family. | |||
| On November 18, 2018 on the 14th day of Haft Tappeh strike, Esmaeil bakhshi, Mohsen Armand (another trade unionist), ] and at least another unnamed worker were arrested during a protest. The governor of Khouzestan Province confirmed the arrest of four individuals in connection with the ongoing labor unrest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iran-hrm.com/index.php/2018/11/18/workers-representatives-arrested-at-haft-tappeh-sugar-mill-strike/|title=Workers' representatives arrested at Haft Tappeh sugar mill strike|date=2018-11-18|website=Iran HRM|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> Although the governor did not mention any names, the union made a press release confirming the names of the arrested individuals and also confirmed that they had been transferred to a ] detention center in ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/three-hafttappeh-workers-arrested/29607075.html|title=بازداشت چهار نفر در چهاردهمین روز اعتراض کارگران هفتتپه|website=رادیو فردا|language=fa|access-date=2019-01-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118185345/https://www.radiofarda.com/a/three-hafttappeh-workers-arrested/29607075.html|archive-date=2018-11-18|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bakhshi and Gholian were held but the others were released a few days later. | |||
| Ministry of Labor announced that Bakhshi was held on national security grounds and it was unable to help him.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
| Esmail Bakhshi stated about extreme mental and physical tortures on himself and '''],''' within first days of his arrest:<blockquote>Within the first days, without any talking or reasoning i was beaten and tortured me. the result of which being that i couldn't move for 72 hours in my cell. I was in so much pain that i couldn't even sleep. Even today after almost 2 months after that time, i still feel a lot of pain in my broken limbs, my kidneys, my left ear, and my testicles. They sexually insulted both me and Sepideh Gholian, and they beat her too.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iranhumanrights.org/2019/01/labor-activist-smaeil-bakhshi-tortured-by-agents-of-rouhanis-intelligence-ministry/|title=Labor Activist Smaeil Bakhshi Tortured by Agents of Rouhani’s Intelligence Ministry|date=2019-01-04|website=Center for Human Rights in Iran|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| On November 24, 2018 on the 20th day of protests, the workers held a picket line and rally in front of the offices of the Governor of Shush before marching to a nearby square. By this time the only persons still in detention in connection to the protests were Bakhshi and Gholian.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/fa-ir/iran/a-46438840|title=The Protests of Haft Tappe Workers Continues for the 20th day|last=|first=|date=|website=Deutsche Welle Persian|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | === Reactions=== | ||
| Mohammad Kazemi, one of the members of the legal and judicial commission of ''']''', reacted to this letter from Bakhshi. Kazemi stated in a discussion with ''']''' ('''ILNA'''), that torture is not allowed by The ''']'''] thus there should be juridical case for Bakhshi's claims. He also mentioned that if Bakhshi's claims are proved to be true, accused people should be called for the case. | |||
| ====Torture==== | |||
| On November 30, 2018, it was reported that Bakhshi had been hospitalized because of internal bleeding caused by torture. Some sources, including The Committee for Establishment of Workers Organizations, had said that Bakhshi was taken to a hospital owned by ].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-labor-protest-bakhshi-jail/4679365.html|title=برخی منابع از شکنجه اسماعیل بخشی نماینده کارگران هفتتپه در زندان خبر دادند|website=صدای آمریکا|language=fa|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran_shoosh_ali_nejati_esmail_bakhshi_workers_hafttapeh/29628184.html|title=بازداشت علی نجاتی؛ اسماعیل بخشی "به دلیل شکنجه به بیمارستان منتقل شد"|website=رادیو فردا|language=fa|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> | |||
| In response to the reports that Bakhshi had been tortured while in custody, a group of Iranian lawyers and jurists released a public statement and condemned the torture and mistreatment of Esmaeil Bakhshi. In their statement they cited articles 8, 22, 34, 37 and 38 of the Constitution, articles 169 and 578 of the Islamic Penal Code, article 35 of the military penal code, article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions of 1966 and 1973 and article 1 of the 1984 Convention against Torture.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://irannewswire.org/iran-threatens-labor-activist-to-retract-torture-claims/|title=Iran threatens labor activist to retract torture claims|date=2019-01-07|website=Iran News Wire|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hra-news.org/2018/hranews/a-18038/|title=خبرگزاری هرانا {{!}} پس از 25 روز اعتراض؛ شکنجه و انتقال به بیمارستان اسماعیل بخشی، نماینده بازداشتی کارگران هفتتپه / بیانیه حمایتی وکلای دادگستری - خبرگزاری هرانا|language=en|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> | |||
| '''],''' current governor of Khuzestan Province, denied Bakhshi's torture in prison in a discussion with Jamaran (One of the government's news agencies). | |||
| While ], a state-owned news agency covering labor, confirmed that Esmail Bakhshi had been hospitalized because he was beaten during interrogation, the governor and the judicial authorities of the Khuzestan Province categorically denied all reports of torture. One of the judicial authorities of the city of Shush even claimed that Bakhshi was in tip-top shape and that the reports of torture were fake news spread enemy media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mizanonline.com/fa/news/471659/%D8%AA%DA%A9%D8%B0%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%BA-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%86%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%AA-%D8%AC%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA|title=Bakhshi In Tip-top shape, Met Family Yesterday|last=|first=|date=November 29, 2018|website=Mizaan Online (Official Organ of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Judiciary)|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 31, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| On the other hand, the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company issued a statement confirming allegations of Bakhshi's torture. In the statement, the syndicate asked the officials to have Bakhshi released. This syndicate emphasized that workers had every right to protest and no worker must be subjected to torture, punishment and arrest. According to this statement that was released on November 24: | |||
| This letter also triggered reactions from social media. There are handful of civil activists and former political prisoners and political activists such as, ''']''' also reacting to this letter. These activists criticized ''']''' and ''']'''<nowiki/>'s actions. | |||
| The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company strongly condemns torture and violence against Esmaeil Bakhshi, and demands his immediate and unconditional release. Moreover, all the cases brought against other Haft Tappeh Sugarcane factory workers' representatives must be closed and the prosecution of them must stop.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} | |||
| ==== Open Letter to Minister of Intelligence ==== | |||
| Also 34 student associations (''']'''), in reaction to Bakhshi's claims, in a letter to ], asked for a debate with both Bakhshi and Alavi discussing tortures on Bakhshi. | |||
| On January 4, 2019 Esmail Bakhshi published a post on his social media page to confirm that he and Sepideh Gholian were tortured while in government custody and challenged the minister of intelligence ] to a live television debate on torture of prisoners in the Islamic Republic of Iran. He also described some the psychological and physical tortures they had suffered.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iranhumanrights.org/2019/01/labor-activist-smaeil-bakhshi-tortured-by-agents-of-rouhanis-intelligence-ministry/|title=Labor Activist Smaeil Bakhshi Tortured by Agents of Rouhani's Intelligence Ministry|date=2019-01-04|website=Center for Human Rights in Iran|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | ==== Reactions ==== | ||
| ''']'''] vice president of '''],''' reacted to Bakhshi's claims in a discussion with ]. He stated that The ''']''' should come clear about these claims. He mentioned that if Bakhshi's claims are proven to be true, criminals should be punished for it. Motahari stated that if Ministry of Intelligence doesn't get involved in the subject, Consultative Assembly will. | |||
| Mohammad Kazemi a member of ] told ] that since torture is banned by the ] there has to be an investigation of Bakhshi's claims and that if they are proven those responsible must be held accountable.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} | |||
| ]''',''' governor of the Khuzestan Province, denied Bakhshi was tortured.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} | |||
| On January 6, ''']''' , Iran's spokesman for the judiciary, reacted to these claims. He answered ''']''' ('''ILNA''')'s question about the topic saying that: "I heard they wrote a letter to Ministry of Intelligence and if anyone broke the law they'll solve the issue." | |||
| ] deputy spokesman of Majles told ] that The ] should come clear about Bakhshi's allegations. Motahari said that if Bakhshi's claims are true, then those responsible should be punished, and that if Ministry of Intelligence refuses to investigate Majles will step in.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} | |||
| On January 8''', ], ]'''<nowiki/>'s consultant, reacted to these claims on his telegram channel. He said that president ordered further investigating on Esmail Bakhshi's case. | |||
| On January 6, ] told a reporter from ILNA: "I've heard about the letter to Ministry of Intelligence and if anyone broke the law they will be punished."{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| On January 8''',''' ] and advisor to the president reacted to Bakhshi's allegations and said that president had ordered an investigation.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} | |||
| ⚫ | ==See also== | ||
| ⚫ | However, after members of Majles met with officials from Ministry of Intelligence they announced that the ministry was cleared of the allegations and that Bakhshi was hurt in a fight with agents during his arrest and transfer to prison and not because of torture. They also said that Bakhshi was an instrument of the exiled group ]. A spokesman for Worker-communist Party immediately denied this claim.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran_falahatpisheh_bakshi_communist_party_karimi/29697960.html|title=تکذیب ادعای وابستگی اسماعیل بخشی به حزب کمونیست کارگری|website=رادیو فردا|language=fa|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | *] | ||
| ⚫ | *] | ||
| Sepideh Gholian's lawyer wrote that the government officials had prevented his client from having medical tests to document and support her claims about torture.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} | |||
| === January 2019: Second Arrest === | |||
| Bakhshi and Gholian were arrested again on 20 January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/01/24/iran-prominent-labor-activist-rearrested|title=Iran: Prominent Labor Activist Rearrested Broadcast of Coerced Confession, Failure to Investigate Torture|last=|first=|date=|website=Human Rights Watch|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190121-iran-arrests-ahwazi-activist-allegedly-tortured-in-prison/|title=Iran arrests Ahwazi activist allegedly tortured in prison|date=2019-01-21|website=Middle East Monitor|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190121-iran-arrests-labour-protest-leader|title=Iran arrests labour protest leader|date=2019-01-21|website=France 24|language=en|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> According to ], the timing of their arrest strongly suggests it is an attempt to silence and punish them for speaking out about the abuse they suffered in custody.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/01/iran-labour-rights-activists-at-imminent-risk-of-further-torture/|title=Labour rights activists punished for speaking out on torture|website=www.amnesty.org|language=en|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> In a ], Gholian's father told a reporter: "At 7 in the morning, 12 male and 2 female officers violently raided my home, broke my son's teeth, assaulted me and my wife, and told us they'd kill our daughter." | |||
| On 4 February 2019, it was reported that Bakhshi's health was in serious condition while behind bars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-workers-say-labor-activist-bakhshi-in-serios-condition/29750260.html|title=Workers Say Labor Activist In 'Serious Condition'|website=RFE/RL|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | == See also == | ||
| *] | |||
| ⚫ | *] | ||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| ⚫ | *] | ||
| *] | |||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| {{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| {{List of political prisoners of Iran}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Bakhshi, Esmail}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Bakhshi, Esmail}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
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| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 02:29, 8 August 2024
Iranian activist| Esmail Bakhshi | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1983-06-18) 18 June 1983 (age 41) Haft Tappeh, Khuzestan, Iran |
| Nationality | Iranian |
| Occupation(s) | Worker, Labor Unionist |
| Known for | Spokesman for Workers Union of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro Industrial Complex |
Esmail Bakhshi (Persian: اسماعیل بخشی; born 18 June 1983) is an Iranian activist, political prisoner, trade unionist, and a founding member and the independent Workers Union of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro Industrial Company (Persian: شرکت نیشکر هفتتپه) in the Khuzestan Province of Iran.
Arrests
On November 18, 2018 Esmail Bakhshi was arrested, together with more than a dozen other workers, during labor protests at the local sugar factory in the Iranian city of Shush. All of those arrested were soon released on bail with the notable exception of Esmail Bakhshi who was held, without charge or legal representation, on the suspicion of crimes against "national security". The Iranian Ministry of Labor announced that it is unable to intervene on Bakhshi's behalf because of the nature of the case.
The workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane were protesting several months of unpaid wages following the privatization of the company, with no transparency or oversight, by the Iranian officials.
On November 29, 2018 The Vahed Syndicate, revealed in a statement that Esmail Bakhshi had been briefly hospitalized due to torture he had suffered while in government custody.
Context
In August 2018, Esmaeil Bakhshi explained in an interview with the left-leaning Persian-language website Meidaan that labor protests at the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company go as far back as more than a decade ago, but as of 2018 the protests had become more radical, so much that the entire work force was on strike. As the spokesman for the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers Union, he believed that the inappropriate privatization of the factory was the main driver of protests. Bakhshi maintained that the inefficient management by the new owners and their lack of knowledge about the process of sugar production had created problems for the factory. The decisions of the management were, according to Bakhshi, generally unwise and lead to exploitation of the sugar workers.
The sugar company was founded in the Pahlavi Era as one of the largest industrial undertakings in the Khuzestan province. The government owned the company until 2011. In 2015, it was sold, for an unspecified sum, to two private companies by the Iranian Privatization Organization. According to the workers, privatization only aggravated their problems.
Assault by Masked Thugs
On January 17, 2018, the Iranian Labor News Agency reported that one of the workers of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Complex had been attacked by unidentified men. Labor activists confirmed that Esmaeil Bakhshi, the workers’ representative was the target of this attack. The incident took place on January 15, at around 5:30 pm, as he was leaving work for his home in Dezful. The Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers Union reported that after Bakhshi stepped out of the company bus, a group of masked men got out of two cars and physically assaulted him. Bakhshi's shoulder was injured in the incident. The public relations department of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company confirmed the attack. During the days before the attack, videos of Bakhshi's speeches had gone viral on the social media.
November 2018: First Arrest
On November 18, 2018 on the 14th day of Haft Tappeh strike, Esmaeil bakhshi, Mohsen Armand (another trade unionist), Sepideh Gholian and at least another unnamed worker were arrested during a protest. The governor of Khouzestan Province confirmed the arrest of four individuals in connection with the ongoing labor unrest. Although the governor did not mention any names, the union made a press release confirming the names of the arrested individuals and also confirmed that they had been transferred to a Ministry of Intelligence detention center in Sush. Bakhshi and Gholian were held but the others were released a few days later.
Ministry of Labor announced that Bakhshi was held on national security grounds and it was unable to help him.
On November 24, 2018 on the 20th day of protests, the workers held a picket line and rally in front of the offices of the Governor of Shush before marching to a nearby square. By this time the only persons still in detention in connection to the protests were Bakhshi and Gholian.
Torture
On November 30, 2018, it was reported that Bakhshi had been hospitalized because of internal bleeding caused by torture. Some sources, including The Committee for Establishment of Workers Organizations, had said that Bakhshi was taken to a hospital owned by IRGC.
In response to the reports that Bakhshi had been tortured while in custody, a group of Iranian lawyers and jurists released a public statement and condemned the torture and mistreatment of Esmaeil Bakhshi. In their statement they cited articles 8, 22, 34, 37 and 38 of the Constitution, articles 169 and 578 of the Islamic Penal Code, article 35 of the military penal code, article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions of 1966 and 1973 and article 1 of the 1984 Convention against Torture.
While ILNA, a state-owned news agency covering labor, confirmed that Esmail Bakhshi had been hospitalized because he was beaten during interrogation, the governor and the judicial authorities of the Khuzestan Province categorically denied all reports of torture. One of the judicial authorities of the city of Shush even claimed that Bakhshi was in tip-top shape and that the reports of torture were fake news spread enemy media.
On the other hand, the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company issued a statement confirming allegations of Bakhshi's torture. In the statement, the syndicate asked the officials to have Bakhshi released. This syndicate emphasized that workers had every right to protest and no worker must be subjected to torture, punishment and arrest. According to this statement that was released on November 24: The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company strongly condemns torture and violence against Esmaeil Bakhshi, and demands his immediate and unconditional release. Moreover, all the cases brought against other Haft Tappeh Sugarcane factory workers' representatives must be closed and the prosecution of them must stop.
Open Letter to Minister of Intelligence
On January 4, 2019 Esmail Bakhshi published a post on his social media page to confirm that he and Sepideh Gholian were tortured while in government custody and challenged the minister of intelligence Mahmoud Alavi to a live television debate on torture of prisoners in the Islamic Republic of Iran. He also described some the psychological and physical tortures they had suffered.
Reactions
Mohammad Kazemi a member of Majles told ILNA that since torture is banned by the constitution there has to be an investigation of Bakhshi's claims and that if they are proven those responsible must be held accountable.
Gholamreza Shariati, governor of the Khuzestan Province, denied Bakhshi was tortured.
Ali Motahari deputy spokesman of Majles told Etemad that The Ministry of Intelligence should come clear about Bakhshi's allegations. Motahari said that if Bakhshi's claims are true, then those responsible should be punished, and that if Ministry of Intelligence refuses to investigate Majles will step in.
On January 6, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ezhe'i told a reporter from ILNA: "I've heard about the letter to Ministry of Intelligence and if anyone broke the law they will be punished."
On January 8, Hesamodin Ashna and advisor to the president reacted to Bakhshi's allegations and said that president had ordered an investigation.
However, after members of Majles met with officials from Ministry of Intelligence they announced that the ministry was cleared of the allegations and that Bakhshi was hurt in a fight with agents during his arrest and transfer to prison and not because of torture. They also said that Bakhshi was an instrument of the exiled group Worker-communist Party of Iran. A spokesman for Worker-communist Party immediately denied this claim.
Sepideh Gholian's lawyer wrote that the government officials had prevented his client from having medical tests to document and support her claims about torture.
January 2019: Second Arrest
Bakhshi and Gholian were arrested again on 20 January 2019. According to Amnesty International, the timing of their arrest strongly suggests it is an attempt to silence and punish them for speaking out about the abuse they suffered in custody. In a phone interview, Gholian's father told a reporter: "At 7 in the morning, 12 male and 2 female officers violently raided my home, broke my son's teeth, assaulted me and my wife, and told us they'd kill our daughter."
On 4 February 2019, it was reported that Bakhshi's health was in serious condition while behind bars.
See also
- Haft Tappeh Union
- 2018–2019 Iranian general strikes and protests
- Ali Nejati
- Sepideh Gholian
- Vahed Syndicate
- Reza Shahabi
References
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