Video: ‘The Arab revolution – back on the agenda’

Video: ‘The Arab revolution – back on the agenda’

Speakers: Mohammad Reza Shalgouni (Founder member of the Revolutionary Workers of Iran (Rahe Kargar)) and Moshé Machover (Israeli socialist)

At Communist University 2011, comrade Machover discussed the state of the revolutionary upheaval in the Arab speaking world. While the revolt in each country has its specific characteristics, they all must be seen in the context of the struggle for Arab unity. Comrade Shalgouni looked at the limitations of the current protests and analysed what holds them back. He also discussed the implications of the Arab revolutions for the entire region. Both speakers are experts in their field and have written extensively on the question

Click here to watch the video

From John McDonnell MP: Support Hopi vs LRC cricket match!

Message from John McDonnell MP and Yasssamine Mather, chair of Hands Off the People of Iran

Dear friends,

We are writing to you to inform you about two fundraising events organised by Hands off the people of Iran taking place over the coming months and to ask for your help in supporting these events. At this current time of enormous political and economic crisis, a continued UN sanctions and war threats, Iranian workers are in a very difficult situation. This is why it is absolutely vital that the workers’ movement in this country organises material and ideological solidarity with workers’, women’s and students’ struggles in Iran – they are our natural allies and a true beacon of hope for genuine democracy and freedom.

On September 25, many of our activists from the UK, France, the USA, Italy, Sweden and Germany will be pounding the streets of Berlin, running the Berlin marathon for the charity Workers’ Fund Iran (http://www.workersfund.org/), which raises money for Iranian workers. The charity is an independent organisation. Funds sent to Iran will be distributed amongst the most needy working class families who are facing destitution, regardless of political affiliation. You can sponsor us online using Charity Choice’s website:
https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/donation.asp?ref=154051

September 11 2011 (midday) will once again see Hands Off the People of Iran play the Labour Representation Committee at the cricket ground in Wray Crescent, London N4, in their annual solidarity cricket match to raise £1,500 for Workers’ Fund Iran.

This is the third solidarity cricket event following the successful match last year and we are confident that this year will be an even bigger and better event as we continue to build on the success of pervious years’ events. As those of you who have attended in the past will know, it’s a fun day out whether you’re a cricket fanatic or your idea of a good time is more at long the lines of sipping away at a cold one in the sun talking politics. Food and drink will be provided at the match and, for those who want to make an evening of it, there will be a social evening following on from the match.

We are calling on your help to make this day as successful as possible.

Can you support us by:

*Playing? Could your union, campaign or trades council send a player? Both male and female welcome players welcome!

*Getting your union branch/campaign/organisation to sponsor the event and cover some of the numerous costs involved in organising the events? Get in touch and we will send you a model motion.

*Helping out on the day? There is a load of work to do on the day itself. The more people we have to help, the better.

*Promoting the event in mailouts, on blogs, or help with leafleting for the event?

Please get in touch with us to offer your help, show solidarity or find out more about what should be an excellent event for an excellent cause!

Yours in solidarity,

John McDonnell MP                        Yassamine Mather Chair, Hands off the people of Iran

Yassamine Mather on Rahe Kargar Radio (Farsi)

Yassamine Mather, HOPI

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مجله بین المللی رادیو راه کارگر
بحران امپراطوری مردوخ ساختار مافیائی نظام رسانه ای حاکم بر جهان سرمایه داری در مرکز توجه افکار عمومی مردم انگلستان، آمریکا و … بسیاری نقاط جهان قرار داده است … مردم مصر که از برآورده نشدن مطالباتشان توسط نظامیان حاکم سرخورده شده اند بار دیگر برای جامه عمل پوشاندن به درخواست ها و مطالبات اساسی شان به میدان آمده اند… 

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مجله بین المللی رادیو راه کارگر

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مجله رادیویی بین المللی!

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مجله بین المللی رادیو راه کارگر

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مجله بین المللی رادیو راه کارگر
فعالین دستها از مردم ایران کوتاه قطعنامه ای به کنفراس اتحادیه خدمات انگلیس درباره جنبش کارگری ایران ارائه داده اند، این اتحادیه کارگران و پرسنل بخش خدمات عمومی و خصوصی انگلیس را در صفوف خود متحد کرده است. مفاد قطعنامه ارائه شده دفاع از جنبش کارگری، محکوم کردن دستگیری ها و بویژه طرح آزادی فعالین در بند جنبش کارگری می باشد…. در ادامه این برنامه تحلیل یاسمین میظر را درباره جنبش ضدحکومتی در سوریه و نقش جمهوری اسلامی در همیاری برای سرکوب خیزش مردم سوریه را خواهید شنید!

Sponsor Workers Fund Iran supporters running in the Berlin Marathon!

Supporters of Workers Fund Iran will be pounding the streets in the Berlin marathon on September 25th . They will be getting their running shoes on to raise sponsorship money for the important and unique work of this charity – can you support them?

Workers Fund Iran (WFI) was founded in December 2005 inspired by suggestions from veteran Iranian labour activist Albert Sohrabian (1927-2004). WFI aims to reduce and relieve poverty amongst Iranian workers (both employed and unemployed). This results from both the economic policies of the Iranian regime and the sanctions imposed by other countries. The charity puts at the centre of its activities the drive to rebuild international working class solidarity, directly with the workers of Iran. The charity is an independent organisation. Funds sent to Iran will be distributed amongst the most needy working class families who are facing destitution, regardless of political affiliation. We hope the funds will stop families sending their children to the streets as beggars or peddlers and selling their body parts, which is a common practice.

You can sponsor us on line using Charity Choice’s website
https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/donation.asp?ref=154051

So far runners from England, France, Italy, Germany, Sweden and USA will participate to raise funds for this cause. You can show your support by wearing Workers Fund Iran T-shirt and walking with us. If you would like to run the half marathon or the marathon with us and support our cause please send us an email workersfund@gmail.com.

طرفداران صندوق کارگری ایران در ماراتون    =============== را به لرزه در میاورند. آنها کفش های دو به پا میکنند تا برای اهداف بزرگ این موسسۀ خیریه پول جمع آوری کنند – آیا شما میتوانید از آنها حمایت کنید؟
صندوق کارگری ایران، با الهام از پیشنهادات کارگرباسابقۀ ایرانی آلبرت سهرابیان (2004-1927) بنیان گذاشته شد. صندوق کارگری ایران بر آنست که فقر را در میان کارگران ایران کاهش و نهایتا از بین ببرد ( شاغل و غیر شاغل )، فقری که نتیجۀ سیاستهای اقتصادی دولت ایران و محاصرۀ اقتصادی توسط دولتهای دیگر است. این موسسۀ خیریه، طبقۀ کارگر ایران را بمثابه مرکزفعالیت و نیروی محرکه برای بازسازی همبستگی طبقۀ کارگرجهان قرار داده است. صندوق کارگری ایران موسسه ای است مستقل. وجوه ارسالی به ایران بدون توجه به وابستگی سیاسی کارگران در میان خانوداه های کارگری که در معرض فقر قرار دارند توزیع میشود. ما امیدواریم که صندوق کارگری بتواند مانع از تکدی کودکان در خیابان ها،اعتیاد آنها به مواد مخدر و یا فروش اعضاء بدن این کودکان شود، چیزی که هم اکنون در جریان است.
شما میتوانید از طریق اینترنت و سایت زیر ما را حمایت کنید https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/donation.asp?ref=154051
تا بحال دوندگانی از انگلستان، آمریکا، فرانسه، آلمان، ایتالیا و سوئد برای جمع آوری پول آمادۀ همکاری شده اند. شما میتوانید با پوشیدن زیرپوش صندوق کارگری و راهپیمائی با ما در هامبورگ حمایت خودتان را نشان دهید. چنانچه مایلید ماراتون یا نیمه ماراتون را با ما بدوید و حمایت خود را از اهداف صندوق کارگری نشان دهید لطفا با ایمیل زیر تماس بگیرید. workersfund@gmail.com
همبسته باد اتحاد کارگران ایران
در ماراتون هامبورگ 22 ماه مه 2011 با ما باشید
صندوق کارگری ایران

 

Student Ali Ajami on hunger strike

Ali Ajami, a 23 year old student activist has been on hunger strike for 6 days now along with 5 other political prisoners in Raja’i Shahr prison in Karaj. He was arrested in February 2010 at his parents village near Sabzevar. During his arrest the regimes thugs violently attacked his family. After spending months in solitary confinement in Evin prison he was sentenced to four years in prison, later reduced to two years of prison in exile. He was moved to Raja’i Shar prison and hasn’t seen his family in 7 months.

The hunger strike started after Ali was attacked by the guards in the hospital of the prison and was very badly injured. The hunger strikes in Raja’i Shahr are also in solidarity with those on strike in Evin prison.

 

Eighteen political prisoners on hunger strike in Iran

Persian2English – June 25

18 political prisoners in Evin and Rajai Shahr prisons have raised serious concern after launching hunger strikes.

12 of the political prisoners, who are held in Evin, began an indefinite hunger strike six days ago in protest to the deaths of two activists, Haleh Sahabi and Hoda Saber. Their names are: Emad Bahavar, Ghorban Behzadian Nejad, Bahman Ahmadi Amouie, Abdollah Momeni, Hassan Asadi Zeidabadi, Amir Khosrow Dalirsani, Abolfazl Ghadyani, Feizollah Arabsorkhi, Mohammad Reza Moghiseh, Mohammad Davari, Mohsen Aminzadeh, and Mehdi Eghbal.

According to reports, Abdollah Momeni and Abolfazl Ghadyani had been transferred to the prison’s clinic.

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* Haleh Sahabi was a temporarily-released political prisoner murdered on June 1st at her father’s funeral after a raid by security forces. Her body was buried beside her father at night under heavy security presence.

**Hoda Saber, another political prisoner went on hunger strike in prison to protest Sahabi’s death. On June 12th, ten days into his hunger strike, he died from an alleged massive heart attack. According to follow-up reports, prison authorities delayed his transfer to hospital. There are also reports that he was badly beaten while he was on the hunger strike.

The Iranian authorities have not named, arrested, or charged any persons responsible for the deaths of Haleh Sahabi and Hoda Saber.

Video: The Arab revolution – reasons, impact and prospects

The Arab Revolution: reasons, impact and prospects from Hands Off the People of Iran on Vimeo.

On May 28, Hands Off the People of Iran organised a roundtable discussion to debate the question of the uprisings in the Middle East, the connection to the capitalist crisis and the impacts on Turkey and, crucially, Iran.

Speakers:
– Mohamad Reza Shalgouni (Rahe Kargar)
– Mike Macnair (Communist Party of Great Britain)
– Yassamine Mather (Hands Off the People of Iran)
– Moshe Machover (Israeli socialist)

Workers Fund Iran supporters at the Hamburg Marathon

On May 22, ten supporters of Workers Fund Iran (nine men and one woman) took part in the Hamburg Marathon to raise money for the charity, which supports workers in Iran who are suffering from financial hardship.

The race started at nine am – and while the winner only needed two hours and nine minutes, our runners were slightly slower, finishing after between five hours and five hours 20 minutes. Not a bad result at all! All ten received a medal for participating.

The runners raised the magnificent sum of 745 Euros (653 Pounds) – and there is still time to donate by using Charity Choice’s website:

https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/donation.asp?ref=154051

But it wasn’t all hard work: our comrades had a chance to do some sightseeing, shopping and dining together. On the last evening they organised an informal roundtable discussion to debate issues around the nature of the Persian empire, multi-nationalism in Iran and the right of self-determination, the origins of religion and the impact of Islam on Iranian culture. Underlying all the debates was of course the need to organise and mobilise the working class in Iran.

There are many lessons from the Hamburg marathon that we can take to our next WFI intervention at the Berlin Marathon on September 25 2011.

For more info, go to http://hopoi.org/?p=1640

 

 

Mansour Osanloo back in prison despite serious illness

Mansour Osanloo, the imprisoned founding member of the Syndicate of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed), who had been hospitalized for the past few days for his heart condition was returned to prison again on Saturday, 21 May, despite his dire condition. “Because prison conditions are dangerous for Mansour’s health, I tried very hard through the Prosecutor’s office to have him come back home from the hospital, and to remain under house arrest [instead]. I even offered to look after the forces [watching Osanloo], just so that Mansour would return home, because according to his doctors’ diagnosis, he must be on a proper diet, eat fruits and vegetables, and stay in a stress-free environment. None of these would happen in prison,” Parvaneh Osanloo, wife of the labor activist, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

“I talked a lot on the phone with the Office Manager at the Prisons Organization, but, unfortunately, I neither heard a positive nor a negative answer, and on Saturday he was returned to prison,” said Parvaneh, regarding her request on behalf of Mansour. “He was hospitalized on 1 May, but ultimately the medical team decided that he should receive heart physiotherapy and drug treatment, because open heart surgery at his age and in his condition is very dangerous and it will be a lot harder for him to be in prison post-surgery”.

“Since Saturday when, despite my efforts, Mansour was returned to prison, we have not heard any news from him because the prison phones are disconnected. I’m requesting his quick release. The doctors have determined that he needs a stress-free environment and continuous treatment. He also needs to see his physician regularly so his medications are controlled. Worst of all is that because the telephone is disconnected, the authorities should at least maintain contact with us, so that we can learn about our loved ones’ conditions,” added Parvaneh.

Mansour Osanloo was arrested by security forces near his house in March 2007. After his trial on charges of “acting against national security” and “propagating against the regime,” he was sentenced to five years in prison. He is currently in Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj. Due to clogged arteries, the Medical Examiner has voted three times for an end to Osanloo’s prison term, but the judicial authorities have not reacted to this observation. He has been hospitalized several times during his prison term, most recently at a private hospital in Tehran on 1 May, though he was returned to prison after 20 days. (International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran – May 25, 2011)

Executions and repression intensify in Iran

With the continued threat of war, the sanctions siege and the dual political and economic crisis within Iran the repression of opposition forces is continuing and intensifying.

On Tuesday May 17 two brothers, Mohammad (27) and Abdollah (29) Fathi, were executed by the Islamic Republic. After being torture they were sentenced for being involved with anti-revolutionary groups, armed robbery and Mohareb (waging war against god). Their father, Bijan Fathi, said that their confessions were “obtained under severe torture” and they were “deprived of all their basic lawful rights”.

Below is the video of their funeral:

Left-wing student and activist Mohammad Pourabdollah who has been in prison since February 12 2009 has been moved to the infamous Ghezal Hesar prison in Karaj a city to the west of Tehran. It is a prison known for its barbaric treatment of prisoners and the housing of violent thugs and rapists. He has been charged with propoghanda against the state and being a threat to national security. Pourabdollah was initially sentenced to six years but was reduced to three years on appeal. He has spent months in solitary confinement enduring methodical physical and mental torture.

He was moved along with ten other political prisoners to a prison where in March up to 150 prisoners were injured and a minimum of 14 killed when prison guards attacked prisoners. This is a common move by the theocratic regime that puts political prisoners and those on false charges in the wings and prisons of often violent prisoners.

On the same day of Pourabdollah’s arrest comrade Alireza Davoudi was taken from his home into secret detention. He would never be released alive. The Ayatollah’s thugs murdered comrade Davoudi on July 29 2009 by torturing him to death.

These moves come at a time when the regime is stepping up the murder and brutalisation of political prisoners. Habib Latifi, another left-wing student, is at risk of execution after his death sentence was upheld by Iran’s supreme court. The comrade was arrested in October 2007 during a massive crack down against left-wing students. He is accused of conspiracy against national security and insurgence. A massive campaign was launched to stop the execution which was originally scheduled for December 26 2010. This campaign has been reignited with hundreds of people in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj have signed a letter asking Ali Khamenei to pardon Latifi.

Hands Off the People of Iran is for the release of all political prisoners and an end to executions. Mass action in Iran backed up by grass roots international solidarity is desperately needed to push back the repression and end executions. There can be no liberation from the imperialist forces whose sanctions are causing unemployment and poverty on a massive scale. We are opposed to all sanctions and any military action directed against Iran.