The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) sent a letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran condemning the ongoing detention of Iranian teacher union leaders who have been engaged in peaceful activities protected by international laws.

The CAUT letter calls for their immediate and unconditional release.

Over the years, Iranian teachers have been demanding decent working conditions and basic worker and citizen rights and freedoms. Last year, in the uprising in response to the extrajudicial killing of Jina Mahsa Amini, they were joined by other workers, students and women activists.

The CAUT letter to the Supreme Leader calls for a “prompt and decisive intervention” in securing the release of the detained teacher unionists, upholding the rights and freedoms of their families and all workers, institutionalizing dialogue with teachers and education personnel, and ensuring the well-being of children while at school.