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Iranwire – Iran’s Administrative Court of Justice has upheld disciplinary rulings against five teachers’ union members in Kurdistan province, confirming punishments ranging from dismissal to forced exile.
Branch 31 of the court affirmed sanctions against Majid Karimi, Ghias Nemati, Nasrin Karimi, Faisal Nouri, and Shahram Karimi – all members of teachers’ unions in Sanandaj and Saqqez.
The court overturned only one ruling, returning the case of union member Salah Haji-Mirzaei to the Education Ministry’s administrative violations appeal board for reconsideration.
The Education Ministry’s appeal board first issued the rulings in August.
Under the rulings, Shahram Karimi received a six-month suspension, while Majid Karimi and Ghias Nemati face permanent dismissal from government employment.
Nasrin Karimi was ordered into forced retirement with a two-rank demotion, and Faisal Nouri was sentenced to five years of exile in Kermanshah province. Haji-Mirzaei had initially been given a one-year temporary dismissal.
Union sources said the disciplinary actions were imposed in response to the teachers’ organizational activities and their role in holding union elections in April 2024.
The Kurdistan Teachers’ Union condemned the rulings in a statement, describing them as “unjust and lacking independence” and calling the sanctions “disregard for the lawful demands of the teaching community and students.”
Authorities in May suspended the teachers’ employment status, barred them from schools, and cut 70 per cent of their salaries.
After presenting their defense and documents, the Education Ministry board issued the harsh penalties that the administrative court has largely upheld.
