110 HCON 203 : Condemning the persecution of labor rights U.S. House of Representatives 2007-10-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III 110th CONGRESS 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

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. Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.