All Human Rights for All in Iran

Written statement by Südwind

Contemporary forms of Slavery in the I.R. Iran

30th session of the HRC

In 1928, Iran passed a law banning the sale and purchase of humans. Anyone who engaged in the purchase and sale of humans or acted as middleman or transported slaves was according to the law sentenced to 3 years imprisonment.

However slavery in various forms had continued to exist in the country. This report will highlight the continuing, forms of modern slavery which, are still in practice.

The root causes of modern slavery derive from poverty, social exclusion, discrimination, cultural practices and violence against women. Contemporary forms of slavery in Iran are manifested in early child marriage, sexual slavery, sale and rent of children and the sale of wives for sexual exploitation. Some forms of slavery are embedded in the law and enforce traditional practices.

Südwind written statement: Exclusion keeps Iranian workers in poverty

23rd regular session of the Human Rights Council (27 May - 14 June 2013

For workers participation in trade unions is an effective and well-honed tool to escape poverty, exploitation and the violation of their basic human dignity. Despite the fact that Iranian law recognizes the rights of workers to set up trade organizations and unions, the government has resisted and seriously opposes and prevents efforts by workers to set up independent organizations in support of their rights and demands. Progressive workers, who have worked to set up Syndicates and unions, have been harassed and pursued legally. Meanwhile poverty among Iranian works has increased recently.