ECCD Statement on June 7th Rally Against Farcical Elections in Egypt
June 3 2014
Ottawa
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) will hold a rally this Saturday, June 7th to protest the recent farcical elections and Minister Baird’s recent statements in support of the field marshal who led the military coup of July 3rd 2013. Canadian Egyptians and Democracy supporters from Ottawa, Kingston, and Montreal will rally in front of the Parliament in Ottawa.
The Coup appointed government called for a presidential election on May 26th 2014. The majority of Egyptians boycotted the election in spite of unprecedented threats to fine those who failed to vote. The election took place amid brutal crackdown on virtually any form of dissent. Egypt’s judiciary has, in recent months, sentenced 700 activists to death in farcical mass trials. More than a dozen journalists, including Canadian Mohammad Fahmy, remain in jail.
“Back in 2012, Morsi won by 51% of the votes. In this 2014 farce elections, Sisi won by 97%. Can Mr. Baird guess which one was a democratic process?” asked Mr. Elkholy, one of the rally organizers.
Canada is one of the few major democracies that initially called Egypt’s political convulsion on July 3rd 2013 for what it was: A military coup that deposed Mohammed Morsi, a duly elected president. In a complete about face, Mr. Baird’s said in a recent statement that the election was “a key step along Egypt’s path to democracy.” “We look forward” to confirmation of preliminary results”, Mr. Baird added. The preliminary results indicate that the former field marshal who led last July’s military coup and, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has been elected president. Mr. Baird is apparently “encouraged” by the election of a military general who stated that “it will take Egypt 25 years to become a democracy”.
What: Rally to protest the recent farcical elections and Minister Baird’s recent statements
Who: The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD)
When: Saturday June 7th – 4:00 to 6:00 pm
Where: The Parliament Hill - Wellington Street - Ottawa
Similar protests against the referendum are scheduled to take place in other Canadian cities.
About ECCD: Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) is a politically independent, non-affiliated pan Canadian organization with chapters in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver, Kingston, and St. John, which advocates for democracy and human rights in Egypt.
For more information:
www.eccd.ca
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sherif Elkjoly: +1 (613) 295-3994