Rights Observatory Condemns Targeting of Striking Teachers in Al Jazirah State

The Al Jazirah Human Rights Observatory has condemned what it described as arbitrary measures and pressure exerted on a number of teachers in Al Jazirah State due to their participation in the ongoing peaceful strike demanding improved salaries and living conditions.

In a statement, the Observatory said it had received credible information indicating that some school administrations in Wad Madani had undertaken administrative pressure and measures targeting teachers who joined the strike, in an attempt to punish them for maintaining their legitimate professional demands.

The Observatory considered the targeting of education sector workers because of their participation in the strike a violation of fundamental rights and freedoms, reflecting a troubling trend toward the use of intimidation and workplace retaliation instead of addressing the causes of the crisis that prompted teachers to protest.

The statement further stressed that any attempts to dismiss teachers, restrict their activities, or impose disciplinary measures against them because of their trade union activities or participation in the strike constitute arbitrary practices that warrant condemnation and accountability.

The Observatory emphasized that peaceful strike action is a fundamental trade union right guaranteed by international labor and human rights principles and conventions, and that exercising this right must not be criminalized nor should participants be subjected to any form of punishment.