Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy

Egyptian Canadians Condemn Death Sentence for Egypt's First Democratically Elected President and Dozens of Others

- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

(Ottawa, May 16, 2015) The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy condemned in the strongest terms today's Egyptian court decision to sentence to death Egypt's first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi along with 105 others including the former speaker of the country's first freely elected Parliament. The charges against Morsi and others relate to the breakdown of some of Egypt's political prisons in the turmoil created at the beginning of the 2011 revolution.

"These verdicts are just the latest in attempts to crush opposition to the military junta in Egypt. No country can thrive with such rampant injustice. We are calling on people and governments around the world to stand for justice in Egypt and demand the immediate release of Mr. Morsi and others wrongfully convicted and imprisoned in Egypt." said ECCD spokesperson, Deena Abul Fottouh.
In another verdict involving dubious allegations of espionage, 16 other opponents of the current military junta were sentenced to death including Dr. Emad Shahin, a professor of political science and Sondos Asem. Ms. Asem is a 27 year old student of governance at Oxford University.

These mass death sentences come on the heels of two other significant developments in the obliteration of opposition: (a) an Egyptian court issued ban of the activities of all soccer fan clubs (known as the Ultras) who are known for their political opposition to the country's ousted former dictator, Mubarak and (b) the death of student, Anas Kamal after a one-month coma. Anas was beaten at Cairo University by security guards taking aim at any expression of opposition to the military junta.

"These open and blatant disregards for human and democratic rights cannot lead to long-term stability in Egypt or the region. The current coup regime in Egypt has proven it is incapable of bringing either stability or democracy to the country. Western governments must acknowledge this reality and act." added Ms. Abul Fottouh.

About ECCDEgyptian 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, and Kingston, 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.
Deena Abul Fottouh: +1 (289) 259-7902

Ottawa: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Sherif Elkholy: (613) 295-3994
Toronto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Bakr: (289) 981-2686
Montreal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Ahmed Abdelkader: (514) 928-8887
Vancouver: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tarek Ramadan: (604) 721-4555
Calgary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Hassanin: (403) 470-3687
Kingston: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Salah: (343) 333-0752

 

 

 

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Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy

Egyptian Canadians call on government, civil society to prevent pending executions of 7 Egyptians convicted of crimes they could not have committed


- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
(Ottawa, April 4, 2015) The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) calls upon the Canadian government, international community and civil society to intervene to prevent the execution of Egyptian civilians. Seven civilians were convicted in Egypt for a crime committed months after they had been detained by the military regime. The death sentences were recently confirmed by an Egyptian military court and execution may occur at any time.


Civilians sentenced included a minor and related to crime occurring after their detention

On March 24th 2015, the Military Court rejected the appeal and confirmed the death sentence for seven Egyptian civilians. The death sentences were first issued on October 21st 2014 for participation in attacks on a police van and army checkpoint that occurred on March 19, 2014. The individuals convicted sentenced to death were all in custody at the time of the attacks. They are:

  1. Abdul Rahman Sayed Rizk (a minor, in custody since March 16, 2014)
  2. Mohammed Bakri Harun, (in custody since November 28, 2013).
  3. Hany Mustafa Amin Amer (in custody since December 16, 2013).
  4. Muhammad Ali Afifi (in custody since November 19, 2013).
  5. Khalid Faraj Mohammed Mohammed Ali (in custody since March 16, 2014).
  6. Islam Syed Ahmed (in custody since March 16, 2014).
  7. Ashraf Ali Ali Hassanein

They may be executed at any time.

See also:

Egyptian Canadians voiced concerns about Canadian rapprochement with Military Regime

Earlier this year, the RCMP announced a plan to provide assistance to the Egyptian military regime in the form of training support for security forces. The announcement was met with expressions of concern from Egyptian-Canadians given the abysmal human rights records of Egyptian security forces and the significant deterioration of human and democratic rights since the July 3rd 2013 military coup.

"We hope that the Canadian government is able to exercise any possible pressure upon the Egyptian military regime to prevent this horrible and irreversible miscarriage of justice and human rights aberration" said ECCD Board Chair, Ehab Lotayef.

"Both Canada and Egypt are signatories to the foundational international treaties addressing civil, political and legal rights. In such egregious cases as these, Canadians are justified in demanding that their government intervene at the diplomatic level to ensure respect for our shared commitments."

About ECCDEgyptian 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, and Kingston, 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.
Ehab Lotayef: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +1 (514) 941-9792
Ehab El-Komy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +1 (613) 852-1694

Ottawa: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Sherif Elkholy: (613) 295-3994
Toronto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Bakr: (289) 981-2686
Montreal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Ehab Lotayef: (514) 941-9792
Vancouver: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Fatma Taha: (604) 721-4555
Calgary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Hassanin: (403) 470-3687
Kingston: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Salah: (613) 770-3399

 

 

 

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Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy
ECCD Statement on Mohamed Fahmy's Release


February 12 2015
Ottawa

The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) would like to congratulate Mr. Mohamed Fahmy, the Canadian/Egyptian journalist held in Egypt on his release on bail from prison. We hope that Mr. Fahmy and his family will have a fast recovery from the ordeal they have been through, and that his case will be fully resolved soon. We take this opportunity to remind the whole world of the tens of thousands of Egyptians who are still behind bars in unbearable conditions as a punishment for exercising their right to freedom of speech. The Egyptian government still continues its assault on freedom of expression through detaining scores of journalists and suppressing their freedom of expression.

While we thank the Canadian government for its efforts to release Mr. Fahmy, we strongly believe that these efforts were too little too late. A simple comparison between the Canadian government's reaction to the arrest of two CBC journalists in Turkey for one day, a year ago and their reaction to Mohamed Fahmy's ordeal and other similar cases in Egypt reveals a clear double standard.

We call on all Canadians to pressure the Canadian government to stop their silence over the well-documented human rights violations committed by the Egyptian government.

Background: In June 2014, Mr. Fahmy, an Egyptian Canadian Journalist, and two Al-Jazeera colleagues, Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed, were convicted on charges of falsifying news and assisting the banned Muslim Brotherhood. This followed the arrest and detention of Mohamed Fahmy months earlier, in December 2013. Mr. Fahmy received a seven year prison sentence. ECCD and Several Human rights organizations condemned the detainment and the convictions as an unacceptable attack on media freedom in Egypt.

Canada's condemnation of Mr. Fahmy's sentence back in June 2014 paled in comparison to the strong statement of condemnation from the Australian foreign minister Julia Bishop, and other world leaders. Mr. Baird's disregard ECCD's repeated requests for a meeting to discuss this case and others, and issued no response to Amnesty International open letters sent to him in April and June of 2014.

In January 2015 the court of appeal ordered a retrial of Mohamed Fahmy and his two colleagues. One of them, Peter Greste, an Australian national, was deported since but Mohamed Fahmy, who gave up his Egyptian Nationality in the hope of being deported to Canada was kept in prison. Mohamed Fahmy and his other colleague, Baher Mohamed, who only carries the Egyptian Nationality, were released on bail on February 12, 2015, pending the retrial.

About ECCDEgyptian 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, and Kingston, 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.
Ehab Lotayef: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +1 (514) 941-9792
Ehab El-Komy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +1 (613) 852-1694

Ottawa: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Sherif Elkholy: (613) 295-3994
Toronto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Bakr: (289) 981-2686
Montreal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Ehab Lotayef: (514) 941-9792
Vancouver: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Fatma Taha: (604) 721-4555
Calgary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Hassanin: (403) 470-3687
Kingston: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Salah: (613) 770-3399

Joint Press Release by Amnesty International Canada and the Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy

Amnesty International Canada Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy 

Several student unions in Canadian universities across Canada have adopted a statement of solidarity "with Egyptian students' right to freedom of expression and to peaceful assembly", and to a "campus environment that is free from fear, intimidation and police abuse."

The statement, signed by Ryerson Students' Union, University of Regina Students' Union, University of Victoria Students' Society, University of Toronto Graduate Students' Union Executive Committee, Carleton University Graduate Students' Association, and Post Graduate Students' Society of McGill University, called on the Canadian Government, civil society and human rights groups to exert all possible pressure on the Egyptian authorities to "drop all charges and immediately and unconditionally release all students arrested solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly." The statement was co-drafted by Amnesty International Canada and the Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD).

"We support Egyptian Students and their right to attend post-secondary education without fear or intimidation," said Devon Peters, President of University of Regina Students' Union. According to Amnesty International reports, this academic year witnessed at least 90 students injured and some 200 arrested, and at least one student was killed during police force raids on university campuses in Egypt. "Universities are places where values such as freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas should be held in the highest regard," said Greg Atkinson, Director of External Relations of University of Victoria Students' Society. "We stand behind the students in Egypt who are being denied these fundamental rights," he added.

The statement also demanded to "bring those responsible for arbitrary or abusive force" to justice. "The lack of accountability for such violations by Egyptian security forces against demonstrations, including unlawful killings, gives them the green light to carry on brutalizing student protesters," said Hilary Homes, Amnesty International Canada MENA Campaigner.

Other student clubs representing community groups, human rights or political groups from other universities in Canada also signed the statement. "There are far too many governments repressing their citizens in the world today," said Tyler Lively, Canadian Regional Director of Students for Liberty, a worldwide libertarian student organization, which signed the statement.

"We as Canadians should seek the possible measures to put an end to the ongoing violations against students in Egyptian universities," said Ehab Lotayef, ECCD Board Chair. "The attitude of the Canadian and other western governments is giving a green light to the military regime in Egypt to continue arresting, killing, and torturing students and citizens in general," he added.

For the full text of the statement, and the full list of signatories, please visit:

About Amnesty International: Amnesty International is a global movement of over 7 million people in more than 150 countries working together to protect and promote human rights.

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, and Kingston, which advocates for democracy and human rights in Egypt.

For further information contact:

  • Amnesty International Canada: Hilary Homes, MENA Campaigner, (613)744-7667#247 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy: Mostafa Elhoushi, Media and Outreach, (403) 702-4156, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Contact information of signatories:

  • Ryerson Students' Union: Rajean Hoilett, President, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Office: (416) 979-5255 Ext 2324, Cell: (289) 923-3534
  • University of Regina Students' Union: Devon Peters, President, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Phone: (306) 586-8811 Ext 206
  • University of Victoria Students' Society: Greg Atkinson, Director of External Relations, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Office: (250) 721-8366, Cell: (250) 813-1752
  • University of Toronto Graduate Students' Union Executive Committee: Susanne Waldorf, Civics and Environment Commissioner, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Phone: (416) 978-0510
  • Carleton University Graduate Students' Association: Justine Mallah, VP Operations, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Phone: (613) 520-6616 Ext 8270
  • Post Graduate Students' Society of McGill University: Julien Ouellet, External Affairs Officer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Phone: (514) 398-3756

Background:

Since the overthrow of Egypt's first democratically elected president on July 13 2013, Egypt has witnessed a series of damaging blows to human rights and state violence on an unprecedented scale. Widespread student protests against the repressive practices of the current military regime in Egypt have rocked Egypt since the start of the previous academic year and since the beginning of the current academic year on 11 October 2014, and have been met by a fierce response from the authorities.

According to the Egyptian Observatory of Rights and Freedoms, more than 210 students have been killed since July 3rd 2013, 17 of them have been killed during police raids on campuses, and 6 of them died in detention due to torture or inadequate health care. At least 2087 students across the country have been detained since July 3rd 2013, according to Marsad Tolab Horreya (Student Freedom Observatory), many of them remain in detention on vague or groundless charges including participating in protests without authorization. Moreover, at least 639 students have been expelled from their universities due to protesting, many of them were dismissed without due disciplinary process.

You may also refer to these reports from Amnesty International to help explain more details on the student protests in Egypt as well as the violations of human rights in Egypt in general:

Egypt: Security forces use excessive force to crush student protests (17 October 2014)
Egypt: Student detained and tortured after protest: Mahmoud Hussien (14 November 2014)
Egypt: Further information: Women jailed for campus protests (30 May 2014)
Egypt's defence of human rights record 'cynical' (5 November 2014)
Blog: In Solidarity with Egyptian Students on #Jan25
Human Rights In Egypt

 

Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy

ECCD Statement:The Coup Government has No Right to Celebrate January 25th 

 


January 23 2015
Ottawa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In January 2011, the Egyptian people took the streets chanting against a regime that was destroying the country. Many were killed in the process.

Today, 4 years later, the regime that killed and continues to kill and detain innocent, peaceful protesters has no legitimacy to celebrate the 2011 revolution.

The current Egyptian coup government and its diplomatic missions have no legitimacy to hold January 25th celebrations as it is the main reason we are so far away from achieving any of the 2011 revolution's goals of bread, freedom, human dignity and social justice. The people of Egypt are still struggling and presenting sacrifices everyday to achieve the revolution's objectives of democracy.

Security has not been restored. Egyptians today fear for their security more than anytime before.

Economically, Egyptians suffer serious distress and the poor have only gotten poorer.

The regime only cares for it's own survival, at any cost. More than 40 thousand are detained and suffering inhuman treatment in their detention.

Thousands have been killed by the same government that is inviting people to celebrate the 2011 revolution.

No celebration should take place before the country is on the right path to achieve the revolution's goals. The January 25th revolution and it is celebration shall not be hijacked by those who stood against it.

We call on every honorable human being, every international organization and every government to stand against the current illegitimate dictatorial regime in Egypt.

The people and their hope for bread, freedom, human dignity and social justice will prevail.

The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD)
January 23, 2015

About ECCDEgyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) is a politically independent, non-affiliated pan Canadian organization with chapters in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver, and Kingston, 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.
Ehab Lotayef: +1 (514) 941-9792
Ehab El-Komy: +1 (613) 852-1694

Please contact ECCD and its regional representatives to get contacts of Egyptian Canadians who can be interviewed to provide their insightful perspectives on what Egypt witnessed over the past 4 years. Contacts of Egyptian Canadians who have participated in Egypt's revolution, or have witnessed or have been impacted by its events, can be provided:

Ottawa: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Sherif Elkholy: (613) 295-3994
Toronto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mohamed Bakr: (289) 981-2686
Montreal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ehab Lotayef: (514) 941-9792
Vancouver: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Fatma Taha: (604) 218-2071
Calgary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Osama Refaei: (587) 719-3916
Kingston: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mohamed Salah: (613) 770-3399