30 October 2003 International Solidarity unions' Meeting
Tokyo, Japan
JOINT INTERNATIONAL APPEALEast Japan Railway Workers' Union (JREU) and Japan Confederation of Railway Workers' Unions (JRU), have been victims of oppression and harassment by the state. Seven (7) members have been detained by the police for 344 days, charged with alleged crime of "compulsion". The court and the prosecution refused them to post bail, but the continuous struggle by the Union and members, demanding their release, together with the steadfast support of their families and communities and with the Solidarity action undertaken by the International Trade Union movement , the seven (7) members were finally allowed to post bail. This is a big step to forward this struggle Unwelcome searches in the homes and offices of Union officers and Union headquarters has been conducted by the police, and despite the Unions protestations and objections , the searches continues. The intention is intimidation and an affront to JREU/JRU's independence as a Trade Union and we consider it as an attack to the working class as a whole. This kind of oppression and harassment is not only happening in Japan but is happening also all over the world. Terminations, imprisonment, expulsions and worst summary executions are just but few of Trade Unionists Calvary, This has to end. Therefore, we Trade Unionist, signing for on behalf of our Unions and organizations, in this Joint Appeal, calls on all workers around the world to unite and fight together, to protect Trade Union and Human Rights, pursuing the essence of solidarity among workers of the world. Everywhere around the world governments attack trade union rights and interfere in trade union affaires in breach with disposition of ILO Convention 87. Therefore meeting in Tokyo we decide to carry on and broaden the campaign in defense of ILO Convention 87. WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!!!! New Zealand Rail and Maritime Transport Union
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