Update: Moroccan trade unionist arrests

Update: Moroccan trade unionist arrests

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) today continued to fight to secure the release of two Moroccan trade unionists who have been arrested on what it describes as ‘unbelievable’ charges. The two men are Said Elhairech, general secretary of the Syndicats UMT des Transports, and chair of the ITF’s Arab World regional committee, and Mohamed Chamchati, general secretary of the merchant seafarers’ union.

Following its protests to Morocco’s ministries of transport and justice, the ITF is seeking an urgent meeting with the country’s ambassadors in the UK and Australia, while ITF-affiliated unions do the same in France and Spain.

Writing to the Moroccan ambassador in London, ITF general secretary David Cockroft said:

‘These arrests are of particular concern given the gravity of the accusations both men face, which we believe to include criminal conspiracy to threaten national security, and economic sabotage. From our knowledge of both men, and in particular of the valuable work that Said Elhairech has carried out in alleviating the distress of the seafarers left abandoned following the cessation of operations by Comarit-Comanav, we can be certain that an error of understanding has taken place. We understand that the arrests followed telephone interceptions in which normal trade union discussions have been misinterpreted as somehow threatening your nation’s national security. Commonsense suggests otherwise, and we trust that the examining magistrate will promptly reach this same conclusion and spare the men further detention, and their families further distress.

However, given the seriousness of the charges, we are concerned that all possible efforts must be made to ensure that a just resolution is reached promptly. With this in mind I therefore request a meeting, at your earliest convenience, to review progress in these cases and discuss them further.’

In a letter he is delivering to the Moroccan embassy in Canberra today, ITF president Paddy Crumlin stated:

‘I write to you out of deep concern for our friend Said Elhairech, general secretary of the International Transport Federation-affiliated UMT (Union des Syndicats UMT des Transports) union and chair of the ITF Arab World Regional Committee.

It is our understanding that Mr Elhairech has beenarrested for carrying out legitimate trade union activities, including helping the abandoned seafarers stranded in France and Spain by Comarit-Comanav’s cessation of operations.

We find this situation deeply troubling.

We will not accept the arrest and jailing of legitimate trade unionists performing legitimate work.

We urge the Moroccan government to immediately free Mr Elhairech.’

The ITF is mobilising its membership to support the men (see www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/Said-Elhairech.cfm). It had planned to hold a major conference – the Maritime Round Table – in Casablanca in September. That decision will be reviewed in light of progress in securing the men’s release, which the ITF unequivocally believes is a serious mistake and based on allegations that strain credulity The organisation hopes that the investigating magistrate will soon reach the same conclusion. Meanwhile its affiliated unions across the Arab World are sending letters of solidarity to the UMT and planning to contact Moroccan embassies to show their support for the men’s release.

ENDS

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