[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 203 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 203


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 3, 2007

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
     Condemning the persecution of labor rights advocates in Iran.

Whereas Iran is a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and is 
        legally bound to respect ILO core principles, including freedom of 
        association;
Whereas Iran, in violation of ILO principles, refuses to recognize independent 
        labor unions;
Whereas, on April 9, 2007, Iranian agents arrested and imprisoned Mahmoud 
        Salehi, founder of the Saghez

              

 Bakery Workers Association, a labor union that is independent and 
therefore not recognized under Iranian law;

Whereas Salehi's life is in grave danger as he sits in the Sanandaj prisons 
        without access to kidney dialysis treatment;
Whereas, on July 10, 2007, plainclothes Iranian agents severely beat and 
        arrested Mansour Osanloo, president of the Syndicate of Bus Drivers of 
        the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, another labor union that is 
        independent and therefore not recognized under Iranian law;
Whereas this arrest was the third time in less than two years that Syndicate 
        president Osanloo has been arrested by Iranian agents;
Whereas Osanloo now sits in Iran's notorious Evin prison with a chronic heart 
        condition and a serious eye condition that requires immediate surgery;
Whereas Osanloo has no access to medical or legal assistance and no contact with 
        his family; and
Whereas, on August 9, 2007, the International Transport Workers' Federation, 
        together with the International Trade Union Confederation, staged an 
        international ``day of action'' to free Osanloo and Salehi: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) condemns the Iranian regime for the arrest and 
        imprisonment of Iranian union leaders Mahmoud Salehi and 
        Mansour Osanloo and demands their immediate release;
            (2) expresses its solidarity with the workers of Iran and 
        stands with them, and with all Iranians, in their efforts to 
        bring political freedom and individual liberty to Iran; and
            (3) calls on the Iranian regime to respect the right of 
        Iranian workers to form independent associations and unions, as 
        required by its membership in the ILO.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 2, 2007.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.