In a statement issued by the EU’s Finnish Presidency, the 25-nation block strongly condemned the arrest of Tehran bus union leader Mansour Ossanlou by Iranian authorities.
“The EU strongly condemns the re-arrest of Mansour Ossanlou, the President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, which appears to be without credible justification”, the EU statement said.
“The EU is deeply concerned by reports that Mr Ossanlou was arrested by plain clothes officers who did not present an arrest warrant and that he has not been allowed proper access to legal assistance”, it added.
It urged Tehran to respect fully the rights to freedom of expression and association and the right to form or join trade unions. “The EU calls on Iran to uphold its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and to honour its commitments under the 1998 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work”, it said.
On Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini voiced concern over “increasing inhuman practices” in Europe.
