Hands Off Ehsan Ali and the Awami Action Committee: International Day of Action on April 2! - Revolutionary Communists of Americ
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Hands Off Ehsan Ali and the Awami Action Committee: International Day of Action on April 2! - Revolutionary Communists of America
Hands Off Ehsan Ali and the Awami Action Committee: International Day of Action on April 2!
Revolutionary Communist International
–
Events & Reports
|
Highlights
|
Pakistan
–
March 30, 2026
Ehsan Ali and other leading members of the Awami Action Committee in the Pakistan-administered region of Gilgit-Baltistan have been arrested once again. The Revolutionary Communist International is running a solidarity campaign to secure the comrades’ release,
starting with a global day of action on April 2. Free Ehsan Ali! Hands off the AAC!
[
Originally published on Marxist.com
]
This is not the first time comrades of the AAC-GB have faced repression at the hands of the state. They were
subjected to a wave of arrests last year
and 15 leaders spent months in jail. Following a powerful international campaign, which received support from hundreds of prominent activists, trade unionists, and politicians,
we were able to secure all the AAC leaders’ release
.
We freed our comrades before, we will do it again. But we need your help!
For this campaign to succeed, we need the maximum possible solidarity and pressure. We therefore invite our readers to take the following steps to lend us your support:
WRITE to politicians, individual trade union/student union leaders, activists, and public figures, and ask them to support our campaign! Please let us know of any responses at
aacgb-solidarity@marxist.com
.
CONTACT your
Pakistani embassy/consulate/high commission
, either individually or on behalf of a trade union/student union/political organization. Please let us know of any responses at aacgb-solidarity@marxist.com. You can find a model letter below.
PASS A MOTION in your trade union/student union and let us know at
aacgb-solidarity@marxist.com
. You can find a model motion text below.
GET IN TOUCH with your
nearest RCI group
and join our protests outside of Pakistani embassies, consulates, and high commissions!
Help to mobilize for our first global day of action on April 2!
The situation so far (check back for updates)
On Tuesday, March 10, comrade Ehsan Ali, chairman of the Awami Action Committee Gilgit Baltistan and central leader of Inqalabi Communist Party (RCP) in Pakistan, was arrested during a nighttime raid at his home.
Several other leaders of the AAC have also been arrested, including Nusrat Hussain, Mehboob Wali, Nafees Advocate and Mehar Ali. Others are still being hunted and have been forced to go into hiding.
The AAC leaders are all charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act, along with sections 153-A and 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with the criminal offence of inciting violence.
What is the “justification” for these outrageous charges?
On the one hand, the regime in Pakistan is carrying out a massive energy price hike and is preemptively trying to silence dissent. The hike is partly a result of the impact of the US-Israeli imperialist war against Iran, which has thrown energy markets into disarray.
With the Iran War raging and a new conflict with Afghanistan looming, the regime is using the cover of conflict to settle scores. It employed the same strategy during the brief India-Pakistan War last year.
The war in Iran has also caused outrage amongst the masses in Pakistan who have huge sympathy for the masses in Iran and Palestine. There have been big protests against this war, starting on March 1, which have been attacked by the security forces, including in Gilgit-Baltistan, where at least 14 people were killed by the authorities and many more injured.
Before his arrest, Ehsan Ali used his platform to
oppose the killing of these protesters by the state authorities and tried to warn against provocations to incite sectarian tensions
. He also visited the wounded in a hospital in Gilgit.
Who is really responsible for “terrorism” and “inciting violence”?
On March 8, leaders of the Awami Action Committee in Gilgit Baltistan, including Ehsan Ali, were invited to an iftar dinner, where they condemned the killings and discussed possible AAC protests around price hikes, the Land Reform Act and other issues affecting ordinary people.
This was the impetus for the comrades’ arrest two days later.
Comrade Ehsan Ali and other leaders of AAC were presented in the anti-terrorism court in Gilgit on March 18 under very high security. Their physical remand in police custody was extended so the police can have more time for their bogus “investigation.”
Ehsan Ali, who is in his sixties, is being held in very bad conditions and his health has deteriorated. Despite orders of a judge on two separate occasions (March 11 and March 18) he was not transferred to hospital.
He eventually developed pneumonia and lost consciousness in the police station. Only then was he transferred to hospital for emergency treatment.
Protests demanding the comrades’ release have already been held across the region, including a solidarity strike by lawyers in Gilgit-Baltistan on March 16.
Ehsan Ali was brought to his delayed hearing on March 26 in an ambulance. The judge himself remarked in court that the police case is unjust and meeting at an iftar dinner is not even a simple crime, let alone terrorist activity.
Despite Ehsan Ali’s lawyers submitting a request for bail, the judge (under pressure from the authorities) extended police custody until April 9. Usually the physical remand in police custody is maximum 14 days but due to new legislation this can extend to 90 days in terrorism cases.
Update (03/30/26)
A shocking account has emerged from Gilgit-Baltistan. Amara Sattar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Danyor, Gilgit Circle, was informed about Ehsan Ali’s critical health condition. She was told a court order demanded he be taken to hospital. Her response:
Leave it, there are orders from above (meaning military intelligence)…
let him die
.
This outrageous admission demonstrates the urgency of our campaign, which is quite literally a matter of life or death. The judiciary and so-called “rule of law” are a mockery, because the judges are puppeted by the generals from behind the scenes. These gangsters are hoping that Ehsan Ali perishes in jail: nothing short of state-sanctioned murder for the “crime” of standing up for workers and the poor.
This is the situation faced by the Awami Action Committee comrades, and all the people living at the mercy of Pakistan’s criminal regime, while the generals and capitalist fatcats loot the country and terrorize the masses with impunity.
We appeal once again for all of our comrades, readers and supporters to join us on Thursday, April 2, for our international day of action, where we will assemble outside Pakistan’s diplomatic missions all over the world and say with one voice:
Free Ehsan Ali! Hands off the AAC!
Background information and our previous campaign
Gilgit-Baltistan is an administrative region of Pakistan. Corruption, exploitation, and theft have left it in an extreme state of poverty and underdevelopment, although the territory is abundant in natural resources, particularly mineral wealth and water.
The administrative regime continually loots Gilgit-Baltistan on behalf of its masters in Islamabad. Locals are deprived of their livelihoods and lands, and the vibrant local ecosystem has been wrecked.
Ehsan Ali (from the RCP) set up an Awami Action Committee (a form of community defense organization) in Gilgit Baltistan in 2014.
The AAC-GB has fought tirelessly on behalf of ordinary people for over a decade, campaigning for democratic rights, for the maintenance of subsidies on essential goods like wheat flour and for the provision of basic health and education facilities for the people of the region.
The AAC-GB has also resisted the environmental destruction inflicted on the territory through intense capitalist exploitation.
The state retaliated, first by placing Ehsan Ali on the infamous “Fourth Schedule,” an anti-terrorism measure that severely limited his freedom of movement.
Then, on May 15, 2025, a wave of arrests was launched targeting leaders of the AAC-GB with the intention of decapitating the organization. In total, 15 people were taken into custody and tried under anti-terror laws, meaning they were denied bail.
Supporters of the AAC in Gilgit-Baltistan rallied to demand the detainees’ release. They held huge rallies and sit-ins in the territory, many of them led by women. The RCP also organized major protests all across Pakistan, as well as in occupied Kashmir. The state responded with arrests, torture, threats and by whipping up religious sectarianism.
The RCI spearheaded a global solidarity campaign in which comrades sent hundreds of letters of protest, made endless phone calls, and staged repeated rallies outside Pakistani diplomatic missions all over the world.
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Our campaign was endorsed by campaign groups, leading activists, politicians, and trade unions organizing millions of workers all over the world including Amazon Labor Union leader Chris Smalls, former Seattle City Councilor Kshama Sawant, and prominent academic Slavoj Žižek. We also received the backing of unions and organizations representing millions of workers.
Finally, after almost three months of protest, all political prisoners from AAC-GB were released on bail.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Revolutionary Communist International (RCI) (@revcomintern)
This was a concrete demonstration of the power of international working-class solidarity, which we intend to mobilise once more to ensure the comrades’ release.
We will not rest until all of the AAC-GB leaders are freed and the repression against them brought to an end.
We say: the bosses and generals are the real terrorists!
Free Ehsan Ali! Hands off the AAC!
Prominent campaign supporters (individuals and groups)
International organisations
Revolutionary Communist International
Genocide Watch
DSA International Committee
Revolutionary Workers
Austria
Selma Schacht, Chamber of Labour Councillor
Nadir Aykut, Chamber of Labour Councillor
Elisabeth Sahan, Chamber of Labour Councillor
Sarah Ott, works council member at LOK
Martin Gutlederer, Staff Representative – Ottakring Clinic; Delegate to the Younion State Conference
Lisa Auer, Staff Representative – Ottakring Clinic; Delegate to the Younion State Conference
Paul Höllhumer, Staff Representative – Ottakring Clinic
Johannes Wölflingseder, Chairman of the Works Council – BHS Vienna; Chairman of Region 1 Vida Vienna
Patrick Kaiser, Staff Representative – Floridsdorf Clinic; State Chairman of GLB Vienna
Zenon Khayat, Works Council Member at Thalia Vienna
Martin Zuba, Works Council Member at Gesundheit Österreich GmbH
Markus Haunschmid, staff representative of the compulsory school sector in the Vienna West 4 departmental committee
Kommunistische Gewerkschaftsinitiative (KOMintern)
Kommunistische Jugend Österreich (KJÖ)
Belgium
Roland Vanderbeke, ACOD Oostende
Yves Brusseel, former chairperson of ACOD VDAB
Abdellah, militant of Socialist Metal Workers Union
Paulette Vermeersch, ACOD Council Workers Union of Antwerpen
Hilde Willaert, chairperson, socialist teachers union Oost-Vlaanderen
André Gonsalis, former chairman socialist public service union Veurne
Brazil
Glauber Braga, MP for PSOL
Organização Comunista Internacionalista
Union of Municipal Employees of Joinville-SC
Water and Sewage workers of Joinville
Univille Students’ Union
Ivan Pinheiro – communist activist, former general secretary of the PCB
Plínio de Arruda Sampaio Jr. – Communist and economist specialising in development and economic education in Brazil
Fernanda Melchionna, federal deputy for PSOL Rio Grande do Sul
Sâmia Bomfim, federal deputy for PSOL São Paulo
Vivi Reis, councilwoman and former federal deputy for PSOL Pará
Luciana Genro, state deputy and President of the Lauro Campos and Marielle Franco Foundation, PSOL Rio Grande do Sul
Josemar Carvalho, state deputy for PSOL, Rio de Janeiro
Mônica Seixas, state deputy for PSOL São Paulo
Camila Valadão, state deputy for PSOL ES
Fabio Felix, district deputy for PSOL DF
Roberto Robaina, council member for PSOL Porto Alegre
Luana Alves, council member for PSOL São Paulo
Mariana Conti, councilwoman for PSOL Campinas
Jurandir Silva, councilman for PSOL Pelotas
Mariana Riscali, Secretary of Institutional Relations of PSOL- Lauro Campos Foundation
Israel Dutra, Secretary of Social Movements of PSOL
Leandro Recife, National Directorate of PSOL
Zeneide Lima, National Executive of PSOL
Diolinda Souza, National Leader of the Peasant Struggle
Danilo Serafim, SEPE RJ / TLS – Trade Union Tendency
Frederico Henrique, TLS – Trade Union Tendency
Etevaldo Teixeira e, TLS – Trade Union Tendency
Camila Souza, Movimento Juntos! Editora Revista Movimento
João Pedro de Paula, Director of UNE- National Union of Students
Pedro Fuentes, leader of MES/PSOL
Bruno Magalhães, National Coordinator of Rede Emancipa
Gabi Tolloti, State President of PSOL- RS
Sandro Pimentel, State President of PSOL RN
Giulia Tadini, State President of PSOL DF
Reynaldo Costa, President of PSOL Maranhão and MST activist
Claudemir Novais, National Coordinator of MPL
Jonas “Beto” Conceição, National Coordinator of MPL
Julio Pontes, President of PSOL Natal
Karol Chaves, President of PSOL Palmas (TO)
Renata Moara, Director of UNE
Max Costa, Secretary-General of PSOL/PA
Karol Ribeiro, General Coordinator of Sindtifes/PA
Márcio Pinto, President of PSOL/Santarém and State Coordinator of Sintepp
Heloíse Rocha, State Coordinator of Sintepp
Silvia Giese, Executive of PSOL/Belém
Gabriel Feltrin, President of PSOL Curitiba
Tonhão Broder, Metalworkers’ Union of Campinas
Paulo Neves, Leader of APEOESP
Committee Against the Privatisation of CPTM (São Paulo train company)
Adilson Mariano, teacher in Santa Catarina and former councillor in the city of Joinville-SC
Union of Education Workers In the public education network of Santa Catarina (SINTE/SC) – Joinville Regional
Roberta Zimmer César, President of the Florianópolis Municipal Public Service Workers’ Union.
Rodrigo Teixeira, President of the Biguaçu Municipal Government Workers’ Union
Marlete Gonzaga, President of the Santa Catarina State Public Service Workers’ Union
Congress of the Curitiba Municipal Teachers’ Union
Centro Dos Direitos Humanos De Joinville Maria Da Graça Bráz, Joinville
CSP-Conlutas, Trade Union and Public Centre
Metalworkers’ Union of São José dos Campos and Region/SP
Chemical Workers’ Union of SJC and Region/SP
Union of federal judicial workers in the state of São Paulo
Union of federal public service workers in the state of São Paulo
Union of workers at USP (University of São Paulo/SP), SINTUSP
Union of workers at the Postal and Telegraph Company of the Paraíba Valley/SP
Union of federal judiciary employees in Alagoas
Union of federal judiciary and Public Prosecutors’ workers in Maranhão
Union of workers in the construction and furniture industry in Belém/PA
Union of health workers of the state of Rio Grande do Norte
Union of municipal workers of Sta. Bárbara do Sul/RS
Union of employees in the commerce of Passo Fundo/RS
Union of employees in commerce in Santa Cruz do Sul
Union of workers in the cement, lime, plaster and ceramics industries in the municipality of Aracaju/SE
Union of municipal employees of Sta. Bárbara, Barão de Cocais and Catas Altas (SINDICABASA) MG (Minas Gerais)
Union of public servants of Monte Carmelo and Region MG
Public servants of Santa Cruz, MG
Union of education workers of the municipal public network of BH (SINDREDE BH), MG
SINDSAÚDE, Contagem Branch, MG
Union of active and inactive public servants of Três Pontas/MG
Union of workers in assistance, research, periodical and CONG resources companies of MG (SINTAPPI)
Union of workers in social security, health, prevention, labour and social assistance in MG (SINTSPREV)
Union of municipal public servants of Betim (SINDSERB) MG
Union of workers in the meat and meat products industry in the state of MG
Democratic Trade Union Federation of Metalworkers in Minas Gerais, MG
Union of workers in the newspaper and magazine printing industry in the state of MG (STIG)
Union of health workers of BH and Region (SINDEESS), of Divinópolis (MG) and Formiga (MG)
Itajubá Health Workers’ Union, MG
Municipal public servants’ union of Juazeiro do Norte, CE
Union of metalworkers and mechanical and electrical workers of Itaúna, Pirapora, São João del Rei, Valadares, Araxá, Barão de Cocais, Divinópolis, Ouro Preto, Patos de Minas, Várzea da Palma and the MG region
Metabase Union Inconfidentes, MG
Union of ceramic industry workers of Monte Carmelo, MG
Textile Workers’ Union of São João del Rei, MG and Pirapora, MG
Municipal Public Workers’ Union of Jacareí, SP
Union of workers in the civil construction and furniture industry, RR
Union of municipal public service workers of Alagoinhas, BA
Union of workers in the oil industry, in PA, AM, MA, AP, AL, SE
Democratic Federation of Family Farmers and Rural Entrepreneurs, PE
Federation of Rural Employees, PE
Intermunicipal union of community health workers combating endemic diseases in the Mato Grande Region, RN
Union of federal public servants in Labour, Health and Social Security, PR
Union of municipal public servants of Capela, SE
ADMAP – Democratic Association of Retirees and Pensioners of the Paraíba Valley, SP
Movimento Luta Popular
Rebeldia
National Quilombo Movement for Race and Class
Popular Resistance Movement, DF
MML – Women in Struggle Movement
Marielle Lives Feminist Collective
SINTUFF
SINTSEP-PA
Unidos Pra Lutar
Sintepp Belém
Centro Acadêmico de Serviço Social, University of Brasilia
Centro Acadêmico de Comunicação, University of Brasilia
Movimento Kizomba, DF
Silvia Andrea Ferraro, city councillor of São Paulo
Celso Giannazi, São Paulo city councillor for the PSOL party
Partido Comunista Brasileiro Revolucionário (PCBR)
União da Juventude Comunista (UJC)
Gabriel Landi Fazzio, Secretary of International Relations of the PCBR
Academic Centre for Philosophy, CAFIL USP
Gabriel Lazzari, Secretary General of the PCBR
Prof. Luiza Helena da Silva Christov, PhD, University professor at the UNESP Institute of Arts
Filipe Skiter, state president of the PSTU ES and leader of SINTUFES
Britain
Fiona Lali, RCP Campaigns Coordinator, Parliamentary Candidate for Stratford and Bow
John McDonnell, MP and former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Ian Hodson, National President BFAWU
John McInally, former vice-president, PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union)
Pamela Fitzpatrick, former Independent Parliamentary Candidate for Harrow West 2024, and Leader of the Arise Political Party
Sarah Woolley, general secretary, BFAWU
Unite
Unison, North Tyneside
Lucy Williams, Sam Gorst and Alan Gibbons – Liverpool Community Independents councillors
Canada
CUPE 79 (30,000 members)
Learie Charles, President of the CUPW Scarborough local
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) locals 79 and 730
Czechia
Mladí Sociální Demokraté (Young Social Democrats)
Rozpor
Base organization Holice u Pardubic, party Levice, Czechia
Denmark
Jan Hoby, Vice Chairman, National Association of Social Educators
France
Secours Rouge
Syndicat UNL
Les Jeunes de l’APRÈS
CGT Bouches-du-Rhône
CGT Thalès Services Numériques
Germany
Ferat Koçak, Die Linke, MdB
Greece
Konstantinos Papadakis, Lawyer; former Athens City Councillor; former Member of the Board of the Athens Bar Association; Civil Action Counsel in the Golden Dawn trial
Eftyhia Papalouka, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Nea Filadelfeia, Nea Chalkidona
Grigoris Kalomoiris, President of the Panhellenic Union of Retired Educators
Evangelos Kitsonis, President of the Panhellenic Union of ICAP Employees
Ilias Stavrianos, President of the Panhellenic Union of Vantage Towers Employees
Dimitrios Chatzistelios, Secretary of the Board of the Panhellenic Union of Vodafone, Panafon Employees
Matthaios Velogiannis, Board Member of the Panhellenic Union of Research and Higher Education Employees (SERETE)
Alexandros Sarantos, Deputy Secretary in the Board of the DEH Pensioners Association of Megalopolis; Board Member, Panhellenic Federation of DEH Pensioners (POS/DEI)
Orestis Doulos, Board Member of Panhellenic Union of Vantage Towers Employees
Anastasia Stavropoulou, Board Member of the Athens Bar Association (Alternative Intervention, Legal Overthrow)
Giorgos Ortantzoglou, President of the Employees Union of the Municipality of Filadelfeia, Chalkidona
Anastasia Matsouka, Board Member of the Athens Bar Association (Alternative Intervention, Legal Overthrow)
Yannis Xydis, Member of the Political Secretariat of MeRA25
Vasilis Kafantaris, Member of the General Council of OELMEK (Cyprus)
Giorgos Lechouritis, Member of the Scientific Committee of the Union of Prevention Workers
Thanasis Kampagiannis, Lawyer, former Member of the Board of the Athens Bar Association
Giorgos Souvaliotis, Member of the Board of the Union of Salaried Engineers (Patras Branch)
MeRA25
Yanis Varoufakis, president of MeRA25
India
Revolutionary Workers’ Party of India
Italy
Slavoj Zizek, philosopher and essayist
Senator Stefano Patuanelli, leader of the Five Star Movement
Franco Bavila, editor of the magazine Rivoluzione
Mario Iavazzi, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (CGIL)
Paolo Brini, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (FIOM CGIL)
Domenico Loffredo, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (FIOM CGIL)
Antonio Forlano, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (FILT CGIL)
Paolo Grassi, General Assembly of Nidil CGIL National
Gianplacido Ottaviano, Rsu Fiom CGIL Bonfiglioli BO
Francesca Esposito, Atm Milan General Assembly of CGIL Milan
Vincenzo Chianese, Rsu Fiom CGIL Prima Components Gricignano d’Aversa Caserta
Tomaso Perani, Rsu State University General Assembly of FLC-CGIL Milan
Angelo Raimondi, Rsu Filcams CGIL Esselunga Corbetta-Milan
Jeisson Zuniga Rsa, Filt CGIL Transport & Warehouses Ups Milan Shipyard
Pedro Calderon, Filt CGIL Idealpartner Ups Milan Shipyard
Irene Forno Rsu, Flc CGIL Milan School
Sergio Schneider, Rsu Flc-CGIL Milan School
Elena Ricci, RSU FP-CGIL Redaelli Institute Milan
Daniele Chiavelli, RSU Flc CGIL School Mantua
Ferdinando De Marco, RSU Fiom CGIL Ersistemi Parma
Filippo Agazzi, RSU Fiom CGIL Gpi Parma
Nensi Castro, RSA Filcams CGIL Cna Reggio Emilia
Matteo Parlati Ferrari Maranello, General Assembly Fiom-CGIL Modena
Giuseppe Violante, RSA Maserati General Assembly FIOM-CGIL Modena
Giuseppe Faillace, RSU Motovario General Assembly FIOM-CGIL Modena
Simona Leri, RSU Coop Alleanza 30 General Assembly FILCAMS CGIL Modena
Carletto Vezzali, RSU FLAI CGIL Global Carni Modena
Raffaele Signoriello, RSU FIOM CGIL Otis Bologna
Luca Lanzi, RSU Fiom CGIL Manitou Modena
Concetta VentrellI, RSU Motovario General Assembly Fiom CGIL Modena
Ilic Vezzosi, Flc CGIL Bologna
Ivan Serra, RSU Fiom CGIL Rcm Bologna
Salvatore Veltri, RSU Fp CGIL Rizzoli Institute Bologna
Anna Venezia, RSU Fp CGIL Rizzoli Institute Bologna
Antonio Maccariello, RSU FIOM CGIL Bonfiglioli Riduttori Bologna
Serafino Pirillo, RSU FIOM CGIL Bonfiglioli Riduttori Bologna
Valentino Paoloni, RSU FP CGIL Asc Insieme Bologna
Domenico Minadeo, RSU FIOM CGIL Metaltarghe Bologna
Davide Bacchelli, RSU FIOM Ima Bologna
Ivan Serra, RSU Fiom CGIL RCM Bologna
Fabio Pavone, RSU FP CGIL AOSP Sant’Orsola Malpighi
Nico Maman General Secretary, FP CGIL Bologna
Loredana Donnici, Committee of Members FP CGIL IOR Bologna
Giuseppe Gomini, RSU Fiom CGIL Ducati Bologna
Gemma Giusti, General Secretary FP CGIL Bologna
Salvatore Mercogliano, Flc CGIL Pistoia
Diego Sabelli, Rsu Fiom CGIL Elt Rome
Arianna Mancini, Asl Rome 2 Fp CGIL Rome
Gabriele D’angeli, Flc CGIL Rome South
Marco Carletti, Rsa Fisac CGIL Bff Bank Rome
Lorenzo Esposito, RSU Fisac CGIL Bank of Italy Milan
Francesco Favalli, RSU Flc-CGIL School Cremona
Franco Ferrara, Executive Committee of SPI CGIL Lega Bassa Valbisagno Genoa
Fabio Guerrini, Student Association Marxist Study Group, University of Milan
Kevin Marocchi, Student Association Alziamo la testa, Sapienza University of Rome
Carolina Botnaru, Student Association Rosa Luxemburg, University of Trieste
Raffaella Lanzaro Marxist Collective, University of Bologna
Claudia Caiazzo Karl Marx Collective, University of Modena
Noemi Giardiello National Youth Coordinator, PCR
Alessio Bolt Youth Coordinator, PCR Naples
Michele Ricco Youth Coordinator, PCR Varese
Davide Gallerani Youth Coordinator, PCR Parma
Massimiliano Vetró Youth Coordinator, PCR Turin
Marco Grimaldi, MP Piedmont 1 – P01
Ireland
Paul Murphy, People Before Profit–Solidarity, Teachta Dála for Dublin South-West
Madeleine Johansson, People Before Profit Councillor for Palmerstown-Fonthill LEA, South Dublin County Council
Independent Workers’ Union (IWU)
Pakistan
Ikhlaq Ahmed, President Karachi Electric Workers’ Union
Karachi Bar Association of Lawyers
General Tyre Workers’ Union
Malir Bar Association of Lawyers, Karachi
Balochistan, Labour Federation (around 40 unions affiliated)
Balochistan Grand Alliance of Unions
Mining Workers’ Union of Balochistan
United Workers’ Federation of Balochistan
Awami Action Committee of Azad Kashmir
Poonch District Bar Association of Lawyers in Azad Kashmir
Lawyers of District Malir in Karachi
Lawyers of Lahore High Court
Lawyers of Gilgit Baltistan
Sindh High Court Bar Association, Karachi
Human Rights Council of Pakistan
Serbia
Udruženi sindikati Srbije Sloga
South Africa
Workers and Socialist Party and Socialist Youth Movement, South Africa
Spanish state
Pakistani Workers’ Association, Barcelona
Sector Maritimo Portuario de UGT Euskadi
Sweden
Claudia Velasquez, former member of the Municipal Council of Helsingborg, for the Left Party (Vänsterpartiet)
Switzerland
Tamara Funiciello, Socialist Party, National Parliament
Matteo Pronzini, MPS, Cantonal Parliament of Ticino
Pascal Pfister, Socialist Party, Cantonal Parliament of Basel-Stadt
Leandra Columberg, Socialist Party, Cantonal Parliament of Zurich
Thomas Bruchez, Socialist Party, Cantonal Parliament of Geneva
Lara Can, Socialist Party, City Parliament of Zurich
Johannes Supe, UNIA Representative for the Bern Region
Magnus Meister, UNIA Central Secretariat
Maël Mühlemann, UNIA Central Secretariat
Fabian Molina, Socialist Party, National Parliament
Nicolas Siegrist, Socialist Party, Cantonal Parliament Zurich
Giuseppe Sergi, MPS, Cantonal Parliament Ticino
Josef Savary, Socialist Party, Cantonal Parliament Ticino
Guilhem Kokot, Socialist Party, City Parliament Geneva
Benoît Gaillard, Socialist Party, National Parliament
Jürg Degen, Former Chairman of the Parliament of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft
Caroline Marti, Socialist Party, City Parliament Geneva
Taiwan
Zhu Meixue (朱梅雪), former president of Taoyuan Confederation of Trade Unions
Brian Hioe (丘琦欣), editor of New Bloom magazine
Xie Dongpo (謝東坡), editor of The Spark website
USA
Chris Smalls, Amazon Labour Union
Stephen Edwards, (retired) charter President of AFSCME Local 2858, Council 31, Chicago
Howard A. Beck, Retired former Vice President of USWA 12-578
Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council member and independent revolutionary socialist candidate for the US Congress
Venezuela
Miguel Angel Hernandez, leader of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSL Venezuela)
Model letter for embassies/high commissions/consulates:
[Date]
His/Her Excellency [Name]
High Commissioner/Ambassador of Pakistan
[Address of Pakistani Mission]
[City, Country]
Your Excellency,
Re: Urgent Appeal for the Release of Detained Leaders of Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan
We, on behalf of [your organisation], write to express our grave concern regarding the recent arrest and detention of prominent leaders of the Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan (AAC-GB) by Pakistani authorities.
Details of Concern
On March 10, Pakistani police arrested several leading figures, including:
Ehsan Ali, Chairman of AAC-GB and Advocate.
Nusrat Hussain, AAC-GB.
Mehboob Wali, AAC-GB
Nafees AAC-GB and Advocate
Mehar Ali, AAC-GB
These individuals have been charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act, along with sections 153-A and 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code, after attending an iftar dinner to discuss price hikes, the Land Reform Act and other issues. This is a clearly unjustified attack on these individuals’ democratic rights and we demand their immediate release.
The judge at Ehsan Ali’s hearing on March 26 even acknowledged that attending an iftar dinner does not constitute a “simple crime,” let alone an act of terrorism.
These arrests are utterly without merit and we urge you to intervene against this naked injustice. Ehsan Ali is in poor health, having already contracted pneumonia while in custody. His life could be in danger if this situation continues.
It has been alleged that Amara Sattar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Danyor, Gilgit Circle, was informed about Ehsan Ali’s critical health condition, requiring hospitalization, and responded: “Leave it, there are orders from above … let him die.”
Background to These Arrests
Mr. Ehsan Ali has been subjected to continuous harassment by state authorities. Last year, he was placed on the so-called “Fourth Schedule”—legislation that severely restricts freedom of movement, which was originally designed for monitoring suspected terrorists. This represents a gross misuse of anti-terrorism legislation against legitimate political organizers.
He then spent three months in jail after being arrested on May 16, 2025. 14 other individuals were also detained under anti-terrorism legislation. The arrests followed a legitimate political meeting scheduled for May 24–25 in Skardu to address issues of vital importance to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, including:
The proposed minerals bill affecting natural resource ownership.
Access to basic necessities, including flour subsidies.
Provision of electricity, healthcare, and education services.
Ehsan Ali and the other leading AAC members were all finally granted bail on August 14, which goes to show the charges against them were utterly groundless.
Democratic Rights and International Standards
The AAC-GB has operated peacefully and successfully within democratic frameworks, achieving significant victories for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan:
Securing flour subsidies for communities facing food insecurity.
Negotiating improved access to electricity and essential services.
Advocating for healthcare and educational provision in underserved areas.
These activities represent legitimate political organizing and advocacy that should be protected under Pakistani law and international human rights standards, including:
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (to which Pakistan is a signatory).
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Pakistan’s own constitutional guarantees of freedom of assembly and expression.
Campaign Demands
In light of the above, we supporters of the solidarity campaign for the AAC-GB respectfully demand:
Immediate and unconditional release of all detained AAC-GB leaders and activists.
Dropping of all charges against the detained individuals, which appear to be politically motivated.
Ehsan Ali to be removed from the Fourth Schedule.
End to harassment and surveillance of AAC-GB members and supporters.
Respect for democratic rights, including freedom of assembly, expression, and political organization in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Implementation of the fourteen-point charter of demands previously agreed to by the Gilgit-Baltistan government.
International Attention
We wish to inform you that this case has attracted (and is still attracting) significant international attention from:
Trade union organizations across multiple countries.
Student movements and civil society groups.
Human rights organizations.
Parliamentary representatives and elected officials.
The continued detention of these leaders damages Pakistan’s international reputation and undermines its commitment to democratic governance and human rights.
Request for Action
We call upon you to:
Convey these concerns urgently to the relevant authorities in Islamabad.
Use your diplomatic influence to secure the immediate release of the detained individuals.
Provide us with an update on actions taken to address this situation.
Facilitate dialogue between the Pakistani government and AAC-GB representatives.
In Short
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan deserve the same democratic rights and freedoms enjoyed by all Pakistani citizens. The criminalization of peaceful political organizing sets a dangerous precedent and undermines Pakistan’s democratic institutions.
We look forward to your urgent intervention in this matter and to receiving confirmation of steps taken to secure the release of these dedicated community leaders.
The international labor movement stands in solidarity with our comrades in Gilgit-Baltistan, and we will continue to monitor this situation closely.
Yours respectfully,
[Signature]
[Name and Title]
[Organization]
[Contact Details]
CC:
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan (
spokesperson.office1@mofa.gov.pk
)
Minister of Interior, Pakistan (
dslaw2@interior.gov.pk
)
Chief Minister, Gilgit-Baltistan (
info@gilgitbaltistan.gov.pk
)
[Local MPs/Parliamentary Representatives]
contact@pakistansolidarity.org
Model Motion: Solidarity with Arrested Leaders of Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan
This [Union/Student Union] notes with grave concern:
The arrest and detention of leading members of the Awami Action Committee—Gilgit-Baltistan (AAC-GB), including chairman Ehsan Ali, Nusrat Hussain, Mehboob Wali, Nafees Advocate, and Mehar Ali on March 10.
That these comrades have been groundlessly charged under anti-terror laws and accused of “inciting violence,” charges that seem to be politically motivated.
The judge at Ehsan Ali’s hearing on March 26 even acknowledged that attending an iftar dinner does not constitute a “simple crime,” let alone an act of terrorism.
Ehsan Ali is in poor health, having already contracted pneumonia while in custody. His life could be in danger if this situation continues.
It has been alleged that Amara Sattar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Danyor, Gilgit Circle, was informed about Ehsan Ali’s critical health condition, requiring hospitalization, and responded: “Leave it, there are orders from above … let him die.”
In 2025, Ehsan Ali was placed on Pakistan’s notorious “Fourth Schedule”—legislation originally designed for monitoring terrorists—severely restricting his freedom of movement.
That same year, Ehsan Ali and 14 other leading members of the AAC-GB spent three months in jail after being charged under anti-terror laws. They were released on bail on August 14, which suggests the charges were baseless.
These previous arrests occurred as the AAC-GB planned a meeting to address the ownership of natural resources in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The political persecution of the AAC-GB by the Pakistan state is thus well-established and longstanding.
That the AAC-GB has successfully organized mass movements which have secured vital concessions on flour subsidies, electricity provision, healthcare, and education for communities living in extreme poverty.
This [Union/Student Union] believes:
These arrests represent a clear attack on democratic rights and trade union organizing.
The criminalization of peaceful political activity sets a dangerous precedent for workers’ movements globally.
International solidarity is essential to defend the right to organize against exploitation and oppression.
The struggle of workers in Gilgit-Baltistan against poverty and resource extraction is part of the broader international working-class movement.
This [Union/Student Union] resolves to:
Condemn
the politically motivated arrests and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained AAC-GB leaders and activists.
Write
to the
Pakistani High Commissioners and Ambassadors in various Pakistani embassies
demanding the release of all arrested comrades and an end to state repression in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Encourage
members to participate in solidarity demonstrations and protests organized in support of the AAC-GB in front of Pakistani high commissions, embassies, and consulates.
Share
information about this case through union/organisation communications, social media, and educational materials.
Affiliate
to future solidarity campaigns and maintain ongoing support for democratic movements in Pakistan.
This [Union/Student Union] commits to:
Monitoring developments in this case and taking further action as required.
Building links with international trade union organizations to coordinate solidarity efforts.
Raising awareness of the broader struggle against imperialism and for workers’ rights in South Asia.
Supporting similar movements facing state repression globally.
“An injury to one is an injury to all”
Proposed by: [Name]
Seconded by: [Name]
Date: [Date]
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Hands Off Ehsan Ali and the Awami Action Committee: International Day of Action on April 2!
Revolutionary Communist International
–
Events & Reports
|
Highlights
|
Pakistan
–
March 30, 2026
Ehsan Ali and other leading members of the Awami Action Committee in the Pakistan-administered region of Gilgit-Baltistan have been arrested once again. The Revolutionary Communist International is running a solidarity campaign to secure the comrades’ release,
starting with a global day of action on April 2. Free Ehsan Ali! Hands off the AAC!
[
Originally published on Marxist.com
]
This is not the first time comrades of the AAC-GB have faced repression at the hands of the state. They were
subjected to a wave of arrests last year
and 15 leaders spent months in jail. Following a powerful international campaign, which received support from hundreds of prominent activists, trade unionists, and politicians,
we were able to secure all the AAC leaders’ release
.
We freed our comrades before, we will do it again. But we need your help!
For this campaign to succeed, we need the maximum possible solidarity and pressure. We therefore invite our readers to take the following steps to lend us your support:
WRITE to politicians, individual trade union/student union leaders, activists, and public figures, and ask them to support our campaign! Please let us know of any responses at
aacgb-solidarity@marxist.com
.
CONTACT your
Pakistani embassy/consulate/high commission
, either individually or on behalf of a trade union/student union/political organization. Please let us know of any responses at aacgb-solidarity@marxist.com. You can find a model letter below.
PASS A MOTION in your trade union/student union and let us know at
aacgb-solidarity@marxist.com
. You can find a model motion text below.
GET IN TOUCH with your
nearest RCI group
and join our protests outside of Pakistani embassies, consulates, and high commissions!
Help to mobilize for our first global day of action on April 2!
The situation so far (check back for updates)
On Tuesday, March 10, comrade Ehsan Ali, chairman of the Awami Action Committee Gilgit Baltistan and central leader of Inqalabi Communist Party (RCP) in Pakistan, was arrested during a nighttime raid at his home.
Several other leaders of the AAC have also been arrested, including Nusrat Hussain, Mehboob Wali, Nafees Advocate and Mehar Ali. Others are still being hunted and have been forced to go into hiding.
The AAC leaders are all charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act, along with sections 153-A and 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with the criminal offence of inciting violence.
What is the “justification” for these outrageous charges?
On the one hand, the regime in Pakistan is carrying out a massive energy price hike and is preemptively trying to silence dissent. The hike is partly a result of the impact of the US-Israeli imperialist war against Iran, which has thrown energy markets into disarray.
With the Iran War raging and a new conflict with Afghanistan looming, the regime is using the cover of conflict to settle scores. It employed the same strategy during the brief India-Pakistan War last year.
The war in Iran has also caused outrage amongst the masses in Pakistan who have huge sympathy for the masses in Iran and Palestine. There have been big protests against this war, starting on March 1, which have been attacked by the security forces, including in Gilgit-Baltistan, where at least 14 people were killed by the authorities and many more injured.
Before his arrest, Ehsan Ali used his platform to
oppose the killing of these protesters by the state authorities and tried to warn against provocations to incite sectarian tensions
. He also visited the wounded in a hospital in Gilgit.
Who is really responsible for “terrorism” and “inciting violence”?
On March 8, leaders of the Awami Action Committee in Gilgit Baltistan, including Ehsan Ali, were invited to an iftar dinner, where they condemned the killings and discussed possible AAC protests around price hikes, the Land Reform Act and other issues affecting ordinary people.
This was the impetus for the comrades’ arrest two days later.
Comrade Ehsan Ali and other leaders of AAC were presented in the anti-terrorism court in Gilgit on March 18 under very high security. Their physical remand in police custody was extended so the police can have more time for their bogus “investigation.”
Ehsan Ali, who is in his sixties, is being held in very bad conditions and his health has deteriorated. Despite orders of a judge on two separate occasions (March 11 and March 18) he was not transferred to hospital.
He eventually developed pneumonia and lost consciousness in the police station. Only then was he transferred to hospital for emergency treatment.
Protests demanding the comrades’ release have already been held across the region, including a solidarity strike by lawyers in Gilgit-Baltistan on March 16.
Ehsan Ali was brought to his delayed hearing on March 26 in an ambulance. The judge himself remarked in court that the police case is unjust and meeting at an iftar dinner is not even a simple crime, let alone terrorist activity.
Despite Ehsan Ali’s lawyers submitting a request for bail, the judge (under pressure from the authorities) extended police custody until April 9. Usually the physical remand in police custody is maximum 14 days but due to new legislation this can extend to 90 days in terrorism cases.
Update (03/30/26)
A shocking account has emerged from Gilgit-Baltistan. Amara Sattar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Danyor, Gilgit Circle, was informed about Ehsan Ali’s critical health condition. She was told a court order demanded he be taken to hospital. Her response:
Leave it, there are orders from above (meaning military intelligence)…
let him die
.
This outrageous admission demonstrates the urgency of our campaign, which is quite literally a matter of life or death. The judiciary and so-called “rule of law” are a mockery, because the judges are puppeted by the generals from behind the scenes. These gangsters are hoping that Ehsan Ali perishes in jail: nothing short of state-sanctioned murder for the “crime” of standing up for workers and the poor.
This is the situation faced by the Awami Action Committee comrades, and all the people living at the mercy of Pakistan’s criminal regime, while the generals and capitalist fatcats loot the country and terrorize the masses with impunity.
We appeal once again for all of our comrades, readers and supporters to join us on Thursday, April 2, for our international day of action, where we will assemble outside Pakistan’s diplomatic missions all over the world and say with one voice:
Free Ehsan Ali! Hands off the AAC!
Background information and our previous campaign
Gilgit-Baltistan is an administrative region of Pakistan. Corruption, exploitation, and theft have left it in an extreme state of poverty and underdevelopment, although the territory is abundant in natural resources, particularly mineral wealth and water.
The administrative regime continually loots Gilgit-Baltistan on behalf of its masters in Islamabad. Locals are deprived of their livelihoods and lands, and the vibrant local ecosystem has been wrecked.
Ehsan Ali (from the RCP) set up an Awami Action Committee (a form of community defense organization) in Gilgit Baltistan in 2014.
The AAC-GB has fought tirelessly on behalf of ordinary people for over a decade, campaigning for democratic rights, for the maintenance of subsidies on essential goods like wheat flour and for the provision of basic health and education facilities for the people of the region.
The AAC-GB has also resisted the environmental destruction inflicted on the territory through intense capitalist exploitation.
The state retaliated, first by placing Ehsan Ali on the infamous “Fourth Schedule,” an anti-terrorism measure that severely limited his freedom of movement.
Then, on May 15, 2025, a wave of arrests was launched targeting leaders of the AAC-GB with the intention of decapitating the organization. In total, 15 people were taken into custody and tried under anti-terror laws, meaning they were denied bail.
Supporters of the AAC in Gilgit-Baltistan rallied to demand the detainees’ release. They held huge rallies and sit-ins in the territory, many of them led by women. The RCP also organized major protests all across Pakistan, as well as in occupied Kashmir. The state responded with arrests, torture, threats and by whipping up religious sectarianism.
The RCI spearheaded a global solidarity campaign in which comrades sent hundreds of letters of protest, made endless phone calls, and staged repeated rallies outside Pakistani diplomatic missions all over the world.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Revolutionary Communist International (RCI) (@revcomintern)
Our campaign was endorsed by campaign groups, leading activists, politicians, and trade unions organizing millions of workers all over the world including Amazon Labor Union leader Chris Smalls, former Seattle City Councilor Kshama Sawant, and prominent academic Slavoj Žižek. We also received the backing of unions and organizations representing millions of workers.
Finally, after almost three months of protest, all political prisoners from AAC-GB were released on bail.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Revolutionary Communist International (RCI) (@revcomintern)
This was a concrete demonstration of the power of international working-class solidarity, which we intend to mobilise once more to ensure the comrades’ release.
We will not rest until all of the AAC-GB leaders are freed and the repression against them brought to an end.
We say: the bosses and generals are the real terrorists!
Free Ehsan Ali! Hands off the AAC!
Prominent campaign supporters (individuals and groups)
International organisations
Revolutionary Communist International
Genocide Watch
DSA International Committee
Revolutionary Workers
Austria
Selma Schacht, Chamber of Labour Councillor
Nadir Aykut, Chamber of Labour Councillor
Elisabeth Sahan, Chamber of Labour Councillor
Sarah Ott, works council member at LOK
Martin Gutlederer, Staff Representative – Ottakring Clinic; Delegate to the Younion State Conference
Lisa Auer, Staff Representative – Ottakring Clinic; Delegate to the Younion State Conference
Paul Höllhumer, Staff Representative – Ottakring Clinic
Johannes Wölflingseder, Chairman of the Works Council – BHS Vienna; Chairman of Region 1 Vida Vienna
Patrick Kaiser, Staff Representative – Floridsdorf Clinic; State Chairman of GLB Vienna
Zenon Khayat, Works Council Member at Thalia Vienna
Martin Zuba, Works Council Member at Gesundheit Österreich GmbH
Markus Haunschmid, staff representative of the compulsory school sector in the Vienna West 4 departmental committee
Kommunistische Gewerkschaftsinitiative (KOMintern)
Kommunistische Jugend Österreich (KJÖ)
Belgium
Roland Vanderbeke, ACOD Oostende
Yves Brusseel, former chairperson of ACOD VDAB
Abdellah, militant of Socialist Metal Workers Union
Paulette Vermeersch, ACOD Council Workers Union of Antwerpen
Hilde Willaert, chairperson, socialist teachers union Oost-Vlaanderen
André Gonsalis, former chairman socialist public service union Veurne
Brazil
Glauber Braga, MP for PSOL
Organização Comunista Internacionalista
Union of Municipal Employees of Joinville-SC
Water and Sewage workers of Joinville
Univille Students’ Union
Ivan Pinheiro – communist activist, former general secretary of the PCB
Plínio de Arruda Sampaio Jr. – Communist and economist specialising in development and economic education in Brazil
Fernanda Melchionna, federal deputy for PSOL Rio Grande do Sul
Sâmia Bomfim, federal deputy for PSOL São Paulo
Vivi Reis, councilwoman and former federal deputy for PSOL Pará
Luciana Genro, state deputy and President of the Lauro Campos and Marielle Franco Foundation, PSOL Rio Grande do Sul
Josemar Carvalho, state deputy for PSOL, Rio de Janeiro
Mônica Seixas, state deputy for PSOL São Paulo
Camila Valadão, state deputy for PSOL ES
Fabio Felix, district deputy for PSOL DF
Roberto Robaina, council member for PSOL Porto Alegre
Luana Alves, council member for PSOL São Paulo
Mariana Conti, councilwoman for PSOL Campinas
Jurandir Silva, councilman for PSOL Pelotas
Mariana Riscali, Secretary of Institutional Relations of PSOL- Lauro Campos Foundation
Israel Dutra, Secretary of Social Movements of PSOL
Leandro Recife, National Directorate of PSOL
Zeneide Lima, National Executive of PSOL
Diolinda Souza, National Leader of the Peasant Struggle
Danilo Serafim, SEPE RJ / TLS – Trade Union Tendency
Frederico Henrique, TLS – Trade Union Tendency
Etevaldo Teixeira e, TLS – Trade Union Tendency
Camila Souza, Movimento Juntos! Editora Revista Movimento
João Pedro de Paula, Director of UNE- National Union of Students
Pedro Fuentes, leader of MES/PSOL
Bruno Magalhães, National Coordinator of Rede Emancipa
Gabi Tolloti, State President of PSOL- RS
Sandro Pimentel, State President of PSOL RN
Giulia Tadini, State President of PSOL DF
Reynaldo Costa, President of PSOL Maranhão and MST activist
Claudemir Novais, National Coordinator of MPL
Jonas “Beto” Conceição, National Coordinator of MPL
Julio Pontes, President of PSOL Natal
Karol Chaves, President of PSOL Palmas (TO)
Renata Moara, Director of UNE
Max Costa, Secretary-General of PSOL/PA
Karol Ribeiro, General Coordinator of Sindtifes/PA
Márcio Pinto, President of PSOL/Santarém and State Coordinator of Sintepp
Heloíse Rocha, State Coordinator of Sintepp
Silvia Giese, Executive of PSOL/Belém
Gabriel Feltrin, President of PSOL Curitiba
Tonhão Broder, Metalworkers’ Union of Campinas
Paulo Neves, Leader of APEOESP
Committee Against the Privatisation of CPTM (São Paulo train company)
Adilson Mariano, teacher in Santa Catarina and former councillor in the city of Joinville-SC
Union of Education Workers In the public education network of Santa Catarina (SINTE/SC) – Joinville Regional
Roberta Zimmer César, President of the Florianópolis Municipal Public Service Workers’ Union.
Rodrigo Teixeira, President of the Biguaçu Municipal Government Workers’ Union
Marlete Gonzaga, President of the Santa Catarina State Public Service Workers’ Union
Congress of the Curitiba Municipal Teachers’ Union
Centro Dos Direitos Humanos De Joinville Maria Da Graça Bráz, Joinville
CSP-Conlutas, Trade Union and Public Centre
Metalworkers’ Union of São José dos Campos and Region/SP
Chemical Workers’ Union of SJC and Region/SP
Union of federal judicial workers in the state of São Paulo
Union of federal public service workers in the state of São Paulo
Union of workers at USP (University of São Paulo/SP), SINTUSP
Union of workers at the Postal and Telegraph Company of the Paraíba Valley/SP
Union of federal judiciary employees in Alagoas
Union of federal judiciary and Public Prosecutors’ workers in Maranhão
Union of workers in the construction and furniture industry in Belém/PA
Union of health workers of the state of Rio Grande do Norte
Union of municipal workers of Sta. Bárbara do Sul/RS
Union of employees in the commerce of Passo Fundo/RS
Union of employees in commerce in Santa Cruz do Sul
Union of workers in the cement, lime, plaster and ceramics industries in the municipality of Aracaju/SE
Union of municipal employees of Sta. Bárbara, Barão de Cocais and Catas Altas (SINDICABASA) MG (Minas Gerais)
Union of public servants of Monte Carmelo and Region MG
Public servants of Santa Cruz, MG
Union of education workers of the municipal public network of BH (SINDREDE BH), MG
SINDSAÚDE, Contagem Branch, MG
Union of active and inactive public servants of Três Pontas/MG
Union of workers in assistance, research, periodical and CONG resources companies of MG (SINTAPPI)
Union of workers in social security, health, prevention, labour and social assistance in MG (SINTSPREV)
Union of municipal public servants of Betim (SINDSERB) MG
Union of workers in the meat and meat products industry in the state of MG
Democratic Trade Union Federation of Metalworkers in Minas Gerais, MG
Union of workers in the newspaper and magazine printing industry in the state of MG (STIG)
Union of health workers of BH and Region (SINDEESS), of Divinópolis (MG) and Formiga (MG)
Itajubá Health Workers’ Union, MG
Municipal public servants’ union of Juazeiro do Norte, CE
Union of metalworkers and mechanical and electrical workers of Itaúna, Pirapora, São João del Rei, Valadares, Araxá, Barão de Cocais, Divinópolis, Ouro Preto, Patos de Minas, Várzea da Palma and the MG region
Metabase Union Inconfidentes, MG
Union of ceramic industry workers of Monte Carmelo, MG
Textile Workers’ Union of São João del Rei, MG and Pirapora, MG
Municipal Public Workers’ Union of Jacareí, SP
Union of workers in the civil construction and furniture industry, RR
Union of municipal public service workers of Alagoinhas, BA
Union of workers in the oil industry, in PA, AM, MA, AP, AL, SE
Democratic Federation of Family Farmers and Rural Entrepreneurs, PE
Federation of Rural Employees, PE
Intermunicipal union of community health workers combating endemic diseases in the Mato Grande Region, RN
Union of federal public servants in Labour, Health and Social Security, PR
Union of municipal public servants of Capela, SE
ADMAP – Democratic Association of Retirees and Pensioners of the Paraíba Valley, SP
Movimento Luta Popular
Rebeldia
National Quilombo Movement for Race and Class
Popular Resistance Movement, DF
MML – Women in Struggle Movement
Marielle Lives Feminist Collective
SINTUFF
SINTSEP-PA
Unidos Pra Lutar
Sintepp Belém
Centro Acadêmico de Serviço Social, University of Brasilia
Centro Acadêmico de Comunicação, University of Brasilia
Movimento Kizomba, DF
Silvia Andrea Ferraro, city councillor of São Paulo
Celso Giannazi, São Paulo city councillor for the PSOL party
Partido Comunista Brasileiro Revolucionário (PCBR)
União da Juventude Comunista (UJC)
Gabriel Landi Fazzio, Secretary of International Relations of the PCBR
Academic Centre for Philosophy, CAFIL USP
Gabriel Lazzari, Secretary General of the PCBR
Prof. Luiza Helena da Silva Christov, PhD, University professor at the UNESP Institute of Arts
Filipe Skiter, state president of the PSTU ES and leader of SINTUFES
Britain
Fiona Lali, RCP Campaigns Coordinator, Parliamentary Candidate for Stratford and Bow
John McDonnell, MP and former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Ian Hodson, National President BFAWU
John McInally, former vice-president, PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union)
Pamela Fitzpatrick, former Independent Parliamentary Candidate for Harrow West 2024, and Leader of the Arise Political Party
Sarah Woolley, general secretary, BFAWU
Unite
Unison, North Tyneside
Lucy Williams, Sam Gorst and Alan Gibbons – Liverpool Community Independents councillors
Canada
CUPE 79 (30,000 members)
Learie Charles, President of the CUPW Scarborough local
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) locals 79 and 730
Czechia
Mladí Sociální Demokraté (Young Social Democrats)
Rozpor
Base organization Holice u Pardubic, party Levice, Czechia
Denmark
Jan Hoby, Vice Chairman, National Association of Social Educators
France
Secours Rouge
Syndicat UNL
Les Jeunes de l’APRÈS
CGT Bouches-du-Rhône
CGT Thalès Services Numériques
Germany
Ferat Koçak, Die Linke, MdB
Greece
Konstantinos Papadakis, Lawyer; former Athens City Councillor; former Member of the Board of the Athens Bar Association; Civil Action Counsel in the Golden Dawn trial
Eftyhia Papalouka, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Nea Filadelfeia, Nea Chalkidona
Grigoris Kalomoiris, President of the Panhellenic Union of Retired Educators
Evangelos Kitsonis, President of the Panhellenic Union of ICAP Employees
Ilias Stavrianos, President of the Panhellenic Union of Vantage Towers Employees
Dimitrios Chatzistelios, Secretary of the Board of the Panhellenic Union of Vodafone, Panafon Employees
Matthaios Velogiannis, Board Member of the Panhellenic Union of Research and Higher Education Employees (SERETE)
Alexandros Sarantos, Deputy Secretary in the Board of the DEH Pensioners Association of Megalopolis; Board Member, Panhellenic Federation of DEH Pensioners (POS/DEI)
Orestis Doulos, Board Member of Panhellenic Union of Vantage Towers Employees
Anastasia Stavropoulou, Board Member of the Athens Bar Association (Alternative Intervention, Legal Overthrow)
Giorgos Ortantzoglou, President of the Employees Union of the Municipality of Filadelfeia, Chalkidona
Anastasia Matsouka, Board Member of the Athens Bar Association (Alternative Intervention, Legal Overthrow)
Yannis Xydis, Member of the Political Secretariat of MeRA25
Vasilis Kafantaris, Member of the General Council of OELMEK (Cyprus)
Giorgos Lechouritis, Member of the Scientific Committee of the Union of Prevention Workers
Thanasis Kampagiannis, Lawyer, former Member of the Board of the Athens Bar Association
Giorgos Souvaliotis, Member of the Board of the Union of Salaried Engineers (Patras Branch)
MeRA25
Yanis Varoufakis, president of MeRA25
India
Revolutionary Workers’ Party of India
Italy
Slavoj Zizek, philosopher and essayist
Senator Stefano Patuanelli, leader of the Five Star Movement
Franco Bavila, editor of the magazine Rivoluzione
Mario Iavazzi, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (CGIL)
Paolo Brini, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (FIOM CGIL)
Domenico Loffredo, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (FIOM CGIL)
Antonio Forlano, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (FILT CGIL)
Paolo Grassi, General Assembly of Nidil CGIL National
Gianplacido Ottaviano, Rsu Fiom CGIL Bonfiglioli BO
Francesca Esposito, Atm Milan General Assembly of CGIL Milan
Vincenzo Chianese, Rsu Fiom CGIL Prima Components Gricignano d’Aversa Caserta
Tomaso Perani, Rsu State University General Assembly of FLC-CGIL Milan
Angelo Raimondi, Rsu Filcams CGIL Esselunga Corbetta-Milan
Jeisson Zuniga Rsa, Filt CGIL Transport & Warehouses Ups Milan Shipyard
Pedro Calderon, Filt CGIL Idealpartner Ups Milan Shipyard
Irene Forno Rsu, Flc CGIL Milan School
Sergio Schneider, Rsu Flc-CGIL Milan School
Elena Ricci, RSU FP-CGIL Redaelli Institute Milan
Daniele Chiavelli, RSU Flc CGIL School Mantua
Ferdinando De Marco, RSU Fiom CGIL Ersistemi Parma
Filippo Agazzi, RSU Fiom CGIL Gpi Parma
Nensi Castro, RSA Filcams CGIL Cna Reggio Emilia
Matteo Parlati Ferrari Maranello, General Assembly Fiom-CGIL Modena
Giuseppe Violante, RSA Maserati General Assembly FIOM-CGIL Modena
Giuseppe Faillace, RSU Motovario General Assembly FIOM-CGIL Modena
Simona Leri, RSU Coop Alleanza 30 General Assembly FILCAMS CGIL Modena
Carletto Vezzali, RSU FLAI CGIL Global Carni Modena
Raffaele Signoriello, RSU FIOM CGIL Otis Bologna
Luca Lanzi, RSU Fiom CGIL Manitou Modena
Concetta VentrellI, RSU Motovario General Assembly Fiom CGIL Modena
Ilic Vezzosi, Flc CGIL Bologna
Ivan Serra, RSU Fiom CGIL Rcm Bologna
Salvatore Veltri, RSU Fp CGIL Rizzoli Institute Bologna
Anna Venezia, RSU Fp CGIL Rizzoli Institute Bologna
Antonio Maccariello, RSU FIOM CGIL Bonfiglioli Riduttori Bologna
Serafino Pirillo, RSU FIOM CGIL Bonfiglioli Riduttori Bologna
Valentino Paoloni, RSU FP CGIL Asc Insieme Bologna
Domenico Minadeo, RSU FIOM CGIL Metaltarghe Bologna
Davide Bacchelli, RSU FIOM Ima Bologna
Ivan Serra, RSU Fiom CGIL RCM Bologna
Fabio Pavone, RSU FP CGIL AOSP Sant’Orsola Malpighi
Nico Maman General Secretary, FP CGIL Bologna
Loredana Donnici, Committee of Members FP CGIL IOR Bologna
Giuseppe Gomini, RSU Fiom CGIL Ducati Bologna
Gemma Giusti, General Secretary FP CGIL Bologna
Salvatore Mercogliano, Flc CGIL Pistoia
Diego Sabelli, Rsu Fiom CGIL Elt Rome
Arianna Mancini, Asl Rome 2 Fp CGIL Rome
Gabriele D’angeli, Flc CGIL Rome South
Marco Carletti, Rsa Fisac CGIL Bff Bank Rome
Lorenzo Esposito, RSU Fisac CGIL Bank of Italy Milan
Francesco Favalli, RSU Flc-CGIL School Cremona
Franco Ferrara, Executive Committee of SPI CGIL Lega Bassa Valbisagno Genoa
Fabio Guerrini, Student Association Marxist Study Group, University of Milan
Kevin Marocchi, Student Association Alziamo la testa, Sapienza University of Rome
Carolina Botnaru, Student Association Rosa Luxemburg, University of Trieste
Raffaella Lanzaro Marxist Collective, University of Bologna
Claudia Caiazzo Karl Marx Collective, University of Modena
Noemi Giardiello National Youth Coordinator, PCR
Alessio Bolt Youth Coordinator, PCR Naples
Michele Ricco Youth Coordinator, PCR Varese
Davide Gallerani Youth Coordinator, PCR Parma
Massimiliano Vetró Youth Coordinator, PCR Turin
Marco Grimaldi, MP Piedmont 1 – P01
Ireland
Paul Murphy, People Before Profit–Solidarity, Teachta Dála for Dublin South-West
Madeleine Johansson, People Before Profit Councillor for Palmerstown-Fonthill LEA, South Dublin County Council
Independent Workers’ Union (IWU)
Pakistan
Ikhlaq Ahmed, President Karachi Electric Workers’ Union
Karachi Bar Association of Lawyers
General Tyre Workers’ Union
Malir Bar Association of Lawyers, Karachi
Balochistan, Labour Federation (around 40 unions affiliated)
Balochistan Grand Alliance of Unions
Mining Workers’ Union of Balochistan
United Workers’ Federation of Balochistan
Awami Action Committee of Azad Kashmir
Poonch District Bar Association of Lawyers in Azad Kashmir
Lawyers of District Malir in Karachi
Lawyers of Lahore High Court
Lawyers of Gilgit Baltistan
Sindh High Court Bar Association, Karachi
Human Rights Council of Pakistan
Serbia
Udruženi sindikati Srbije Sloga
South Africa
Workers and Socialist Party and Socialist Youth Movement, South Africa
Spanish state
Pakistani Workers’ Association, Barcelona
Sector Maritimo Portuario de UGT Euskadi
Sweden
Claudia Velasquez, former member of the Municipal Council of Helsingborg, for the Left Party (Vänsterpartiet)
Switzerland
Tamara Funiciello, Socialist Party, National Parliament
Matteo Pronzini, MPS, Cantonal Parliament of Ticino
Pascal Pfister, Socialist Party, Cantonal Parliament of Basel-Stadt
Leandra Columberg, Socialist Party, Cantonal Parliament of Zurich
Thomas Bruchez, Socialist Party, Cantonal Parliament of Geneva
Lara Can, Socialist Party, City Parliament of Zurich
Johannes Supe, UNIA Representative for the Bern Region
Magnus Meister, UNIA Central Secretariat
Maël Mühlemann, UNIA Central Secretariat
Fabian Molina, Socialist Party, National Parliament
Nicolas Siegrist, Socialist Party, Cantonal Parliament Zurich
Giuseppe Sergi, MPS, Cantonal Parliament Ticino
Josef Savary, Socialist Party, Cantonal Parliament Ticino
Guilhem Kokot, Socialist Party, City Parliament Geneva
Benoît Gaillard, Socialist Party, National Parliament
Jürg Degen, Former Chairman of the Parliament of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft
Caroline Marti, Socialist Party, City Parliament Geneva
Taiwan
Zhu Meixue (朱梅雪), former president of Taoyuan Confederation of Trade Unions
Brian Hioe (丘琦欣), editor of New Bloom magazine
Xie Dongpo (謝東坡), editor of The Spark website
USA
Chris Smalls, Amazon Labour Union
Stephen Edwards, (retired) charter President of AFSCME Local 2858, Council 31, Chicago
Howard A. Beck, Retired former Vice President of USWA 12-578
Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council member and independent revolutionary socialist candidate for the US Congress
Venezuela
Miguel Angel Hernandez, leader of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSL Venezuela)
Model letter for embassies/high commissions/consulates:
[Date]
His/Her Excellency [Name]
High Commissioner/Ambassador of Pakistan
[Address of Pakistani Mission]
[City, Country]
Your Excellency,
Re: Urgent Appeal for the Release of Detained Leaders of Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan
We, on behalf of [your organisation], write to express our grave concern regarding the recent arrest and detention of prominent leaders of the Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan (AAC-GB) by Pakistani authorities.
Details of Concern
On March 10, Pakistani police arrested several leading figures, including:
Ehsan Ali, Chairman of AAC-GB and Advocate.
Nusrat Hussain, AAC-GB.
Mehboob Wali, AAC-GB
Nafees AAC-GB and Advocate
Mehar Ali, AAC-GB
These individuals have been charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act, along with sections 153-A and 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code, after attending an iftar dinner to discuss price hikes, the Land Reform Act and other issues. This is a clearly unjustified attack on these individuals’ democratic rights and we demand their immediate release.
The judge at Ehsan Ali’s hearing on March 26 even acknowledged that attending an iftar dinner does not constitute a “simple crime,” let alone an act of terrorism.
These arrests are utterly without merit and we urge you to intervene against this naked injustice. Ehsan Ali is in poor health, having already contracted pneumonia while in custody. His life could be in danger if this situation continues.
It has been alleged that Amara Sattar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Danyor, Gilgit Circle, was informed about Ehsan Ali’s critical health condition, requiring hospitalization, and responded: “Leave it, there are orders from above … let him die.”
Background to These Arrests
Mr. Ehsan Ali has been subjected to continuous harassment by state authorities. Last year, he was placed on the so-called “Fourth Schedule”—legislation that severely restricts freedom of movement, which was originally designed for monitoring suspected terrorists. This represents a gross misuse of anti-terrorism legislation against legitimate political organizers.
He then spent three months in jail after being arrested on May 16, 2025. 14 other individuals were also detained under anti-terrorism legislation. The arrests followed a legitimate political meeting scheduled for May 24–25 in Skardu to address issues of vital importance to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, including:
The proposed minerals bill affecting natural resource ownership.
Access to basic necessities, including flour subsidies.
Provision of electricity, healthcare, and education services.
Ehsan Ali and the other leading AAC members were all finally granted bail on August 14, which goes to show the charges against them were utterly groundless.
Democratic Rights and International Standards
The AAC-GB has operated peacefully and successfully within democratic frameworks, achieving significant victories for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan:
Securing flour subsidies for communities facing food insecurity.
Negotiating improved access to electricity and essential services.
Advocating for healthcare and educational provision in underserved areas.
These activities represent legitimate political organizing and advocacy that should be protected under Pakistani law and international human rights standards, including:
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (to which Pakistan is a signatory).
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Pakistan’s own constitutional guarantees of freedom of assembly and expression.
Campaign Demands
In light of the above, we supporters of the solidarity campaign for the AAC-GB respectfully demand:
Immediate and unconditional release of all detained AAC-GB leaders and activists.
Dropping of all charges against the detained individuals, which appear to be politically motivated.
Ehsan Ali to be removed from the Fourth Schedule.
End to harassment and surveillance of AAC-GB members and supporters.
Respect for democratic rights, including freedom of assembly, expression, and political organization in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Implementation of the fourteen-point charter of demands previously agreed to by the Gilgit-Baltistan government.
International Attention
We wish to inform you that this case has attracted (and is still attracting) significant international attention from:
Trade union organizations across multiple countries.
Student movements and civil society groups.
Human rights organizations.
Parliamentary representatives and elected officials.
The continued detention of these leaders damages Pakistan’s international reputation and undermines its commitment to democratic governance and human rights.
Request for Action
We call upon you to:
Convey these concerns urgently to the relevant authorities in Islamabad.
Use your diplomatic influence to secure the immediate release of the detained individuals.
Provide us with an update on actions taken to address this situation.
Facilitate dialogue between the Pakistani government and AAC-GB representatives.
In Short
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan deserve the same democratic rights and freedoms enjoyed by all Pakistani citizens. The criminalization of peaceful political organizing sets a dangerous precedent and undermines Pakistan’s democratic institutions.
We look forward to your urgent intervention in this matter and to receiving confirmation of steps taken to secure the release of these dedicated community leaders.
The international labor movement stands in solidarity with our comrades in Gilgit-Baltistan, and we will continue to monitor this situation closely.
Yours respectfully,
[Signature]
[Name and Title]
[Organization]
[Contact Details]
CC:
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan (
spokesperson.office1@mofa.gov.pk
)
Minister of Interior, Pakistan (
dslaw2@interior.gov.pk
)
Chief Minister, Gilgit-Baltistan (
info@gilgitbaltistan.gov.pk
)
[Local MPs/Parliamentary Representatives]
contact@pakistansolidarity.org
Model Motion: Solidarity with Arrested Leaders of Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan
This [Union/Student Union] notes with grave concern:
The arrest and detention of leading members of the Awami Action Committee—Gilgit-Baltistan (AAC-GB), including chairman Ehsan Ali, Nusrat Hussain, Mehboob Wali, Nafees Advocate, and Mehar Ali on March 10.
That these comrades have been groundlessly charged under anti-terror laws and accused of “inciting violence,” charges that seem to be politically motivated.
The judge at Ehsan Ali’s hearing on March 26 even acknowledged that attending an iftar dinner does not constitute a “simple crime,” let alone an act of terrorism.
Ehsan Ali is in poor health, having already contracted pneumonia while in custody. His life could be in danger if this situation continues.
It has been alleged that Amara Sattar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Danyor, Gilgit Circle, was informed about Ehsan Ali’s critical health condition, requiring hospitalization, and responded: “Leave it, there are orders from above … let him die.”
In 2025, Ehsan Ali was placed on Pakistan’s notorious “Fourth Schedule”—legislation originally designed for monitoring terrorists—severely restricting his freedom of movement.
That same year, Ehsan Ali and 14 other leading members of the AAC-GB spent three months in jail after being charged under anti-terror laws. They were released on bail on August 14, which suggests the charges were baseless.
These previous arrests occurred as the AAC-GB planned a meeting to address the ownership of natural resources in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The political persecution of the AAC-GB by the Pakistan state is thus well-established and longstanding.
That the AAC-GB has successfully organized mass movements which have secured vital concessions on flour subsidies, electricity provision, healthcare, and education for communities living in extreme poverty.
This [Union/Student Union] believes:
These arrests represent a clear attack on democratic rights and trade union organizing.
The criminalization of peaceful political activity sets a dangerous precedent for workers’ movements globally.
International solidarity is essential to defend the right to organize against exploitation and oppression.
The struggle of workers in Gilgit-Baltistan against poverty and resource extraction is part of the broader international working-class movement.
This [Union/Student Union] resolves to:
Condemn
the politically motivated arrests and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained AAC-GB leaders and activists.
Write
to the
Pakistani High Commissioners and Ambassadors in various Pakistani embassies
demanding the release of all arrested comrades and an end to state repression in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Encourage
members to participate in solidarity demonstrations and protests organized in support of the AAC-GB in front of Pakistani high commissions, embassies, and consulates.
Share
information about this case through union/organisation communications, social media, and educational materials.
Affiliate
to future solidarity campaigns and maintain ongoing support for democratic movements in Pakistan.
This [Union/Student Union] commits to:
Monitoring developments in this case and taking further action as required.
Building links with international trade union organizations to coordinate solidarity efforts.
Raising awareness of the broader struggle against imperialism and for workers’ rights in South Asia.
Supporting similar movements facing state repression globally.
“An injury to one is an injury to all”
Proposed by: [Name]
Seconded by: [Name]
Date: [Date]
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