Demand the Immediate Release Canadian Detainees in Egypt
- by: Lynn Squance
- recipient: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Two Canadians, Dr. Loubani and Professor Greyson, have been jailed now over 45 days and their detention has now been extended another 45 days. These two men are guilty of having compassion for others, nothing more. This world is doomed if we fear compassion and love of neighbours, rather than war and violence.
Dr. Tarek Loubani and Professor John Greyson, have been detained by Egyptian police since their arrest on August 16 in Cairo. They arrived in Egypt the day before with the intention of traveling immediately to Gaza, in the OccupiedPalestinianTerritories. Dr. Loubani was hoping to build a relationship between the university hospital in Gaza and the university hospital that he works for in Canada. Professor Greyson, a filmmaker, was accompanying him to document the situation in Gaza. On arrival in Egypt the men had to stay in Cairo as the border with Gaza was shut.
Hundreds were arrested at random during violence in Cairo on 16 August -- Dr. Loubani and Professor Greyson were among them. There are concerns that, as with the Egyptians arrested that day, Dr. Loubani and Professor Greyson have been accused of a broad array of offences without apparent consideration of their individual criminal responsibility, but as of yet, they have not been officially charged.
Mr Harper, we demand the Canadian government be more strident in obtaining Tarek and John’s immediate and unconditional release, and we hope that Canada is considering multilateral diplomacy and reconsidering some of its trade relations with Egypt.
Home at last!
"After 50 days in Tora prison, … here we are," … “We’re home because of the work of many thousands of people … from Canada, from Egypt and from around the world.
“There was outrage at our arbitrary arrest and [they] spoke out for our release," he said.
I am closing the petition. Thanks to all.
CTV News is reporting that Dr. Tarek Loubani of London, Ont., and John Greyson of Toronto boarded a flight to Frankfurt, Germany early Friday en route to Canada.
And a statement from Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Lynne Yelich said "Canada joins the families" of both men in "welcoming their return to Canada."
Canadian detainees heading home
Two Canadians held for seven weeks in an Egyptian prison ... have been freed, Canadian officials announced Saturday. … "I look forward to Dr. Loubani and Mr. Greyson being reunited with their families and friends, who have shown tremendous strength during this difficult time," Lynne Yelich, [said] a junior minister …
"We are facilitating Dr. Loubani and Mr. Greyson's departure from Egypt,"
[No date of return to Canada.]
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