Ei-iE

A delegation of international, European and Belgian trade unions, including Education International (EI), delivered a letter of protest to the Bahrain Embassy in Brussels on 26 May to condemn the on-going attacks on the trade unionists in Bahrain. Embassy officials refused to give an audience to the delegation led by ITUC General Secretary, Sharan Burrow.

EI joined the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Belgian trade union centres ACV/CSC, ABVV/FGTB and ACLVB/CGSLB, as well as the Tunisian trade union centre UGTT in calling on the Bahraini authorities to stop their violent campaign against trade unions.

Since March 2011, over 1000 Bahraini workers have been sacked for participating in the peaceful protests asking for democratic change. Trade unionists, teachers, journalists, students and workers have been arrested and detained. Union leaders, including the 6 members of the leadership of the Bahraini Teacher Association, have been falsely charged for leading a conspiracy against the regime.

“ The Bahraini authorities have launched a vicious crackdown on peaceful and legitimate civil society organisations, including the trade union movement.  There are real threats to the personal safety of people who are simply calling for legitimate reform and social justice. The government’s attempts to promote division and avoid change by misusing the power of the state are wrong and unsustainable.  We are calling on them to stop repression, release all detained trade unionists, teachers, journalists, students and workers. The only way to end this impasse which threatens the country’s future is to open genuine dialogue for progress, and stop the repression”, said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

EI has condemned the crackdown on teacher unionists and has launched an Urgent Action Appeal, calling on its member organisations to urge the authorities to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of teachers and union activists.

For more information, please visit the EI urgent action appeal on Bahrain.