[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 203 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 203

     Condemning the persecution of labor rights advocates in Iran.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 5, 2007

    Mr. Kirk (for himself and Mr. Andrews) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
     Condemning the persecution of labor rights advocates in Iran.

Whereas, on April 9, 2007, Iranian agents arrested and imprisoned Mahmoud 
        Salehi, founder of the Saghez Bakery Workers Association;
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 Workers of 
        Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed);
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;
Whereas, on August 9, 2007, Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa called on 
        Iran to immediately release Osanloo and Salehi;
Whereas, on August 9, 2007, the International Trade Union Confederation, 
        together with the International Transport Workers' Federation, staged an 
        international day of action to free Osanloo and Salehi;
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 Freedom House reported in 2006 that ``Iranian law does not allow 
        independent labor unions to exist''; and
Whereas the United States remains the leading voice in the world for 
        international workers' rights and labor standards: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) condemns the Government of Iran for the arrest and 
        imprisonment of Iranian union leaders Mahmoud Salehi and 
        Mansour Osanloo and demands their immediate release; and
            (2) expresses its solidarity with the workers of Iran and 
        stands with them in their effort to bring political freedom and 
        individual liberty to Iran.
                                 <all>