PAME that represents the class unions of Greece condemns the arrests of the SIDOR union leaders Leonardo Azócar and Daniel Romero. We denounce the forced disappearance of these two unionists by the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM), given that since Sunday, June 11, when they were unjustifiably detained, and for more than a week, the families of both have been unaware of the place where they were imprisoned. It was not until several days ago that, after the mobilizations carried out, it was possible to find out where they were being held. However, both family members and the public defender have not been able to see or speak with Leonardo and Daniel, so they do not know the physical and psychological state of health of both men.

We demand that the authorities allow relatives to see, speak to and evaluate the state of health of these two imprisoned workers.

Likewise, we insist on the demands made to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ombudsman’s Office that the human rights of both unionists be guaranteed and that they proceed to achieve their full freedom and the closure of the unlawful judicial process imposed on them simply for exercising their union duties in defense of the rights of the workers at the Pellas Plant of [state-owned steel firm] Siderúrgica del Orinoco (SIDOR). This situation is part of the systematic attack against the entire working class and its rights, which includes the growing criminalization of workers’ struggles.

We express our solidarity with these two persecuted workers, Leonardo Azócar (Secretary of the SUTISS union) and Daniel Romero (Departmental Union Delegate), as well as with the steelworkers who are being prosecuted and are prohibited their right to protest