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Education International (EI) has issued a strong condemnation of the Iranian government’s intensifying crackdown on teacher union activists, particularly members of the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations (CCITTA), EI’s affiliate in Iran.

In a letter addressed to Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, EI General Secretary David Edwards expressed grave concern over the systematic repression of teachers advocating for social justice and equity in education.

On 16 September, Iranian security forces disrupted a constitutional governance meeting of 18 CCITTA representatives in Shahreza, Isfahan Province. All participants were arrested, their personal devices confiscated, and one of them, Mr. Masoud Farhikhteh, was subjected to degrading treatment. Despite a court order delaying his sentence, Mr. Farhikhteh was transferred to solitary confinement in Karaj Central Prison on 30 September.

The repression has spread across provinces. In Kerman, eight teacher union activists have been sentenced on fabricated charges. In Kurdistan, at least twelve educators face dismissal, forced retirement, or internal exile. Among them is Ms. Somayeh Akhtrashomar, a Kurdish teacher and union activist with 17 years of service, who was permanently barred from teaching and union activity in March 2024.

“These actions reflect a systematic campaign to criminalize union activity and silence educators,” said Edwards. “They violate Iran’s constitutional guarantees and its obligations under ILO Conventions 87 and 98, which protect freedom of association and collective bargaining.”

Education International issued the following demands to the Iranian authorities:

• The immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Masoud Farhikhteh
• The annulment of punitive measures against dismissed teachers, including the reinstatement of Ms. Akhtrashomar
• An end to the harassment and criminalization of peaceful union activity
• Full compliance with international labour standards and protection of educators’ rights, regardless of gender or ethnicity

“The repression of teachers undermines the integrity of Iran’s education system and the principles of justice, dignity, and democratic participation,” Edwards concluded. “We stand in solidarity with Iranian educators and urge the government to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities.”