Update: Moroccan trade unionist arrests

News Release International Transport Federation (ITF) June 22, 2012

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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 <A
href="redir.aspx?C=935ca2b57ae34eb38994da5d9454f318&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.itfglobal.org%2fsolidarity%2fSaid-Elhairech.cfm"
target=_blank>www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/Said-Elhairech.cfm</A>). 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.
 
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