ECCD Letter to Italian Ambassador in Ottawa: Justice demanded in the case of Italian student Giulio Regeni

April 10th, 2016

Andrea Meloni, Ambassador
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RE: Justice demanded in the case of Italian student Giulio Regeni

Dear Ambassador Andrea Meloni:
We, as well as many Canadians of Egyptian origin, have been following with horror and outrage the news about the murder of Giulio Regeni and the ensuing investigation by Egyptian authorities.

No words can adequately express our heartfelt empathy and deep sorrow for Giulio's demise. At the least, may we respectfully ask that you convey our sincere condolences to Paola, his mother, his family and loved ones and the people of Italy.

In addition to our deep sadness, we are troubled by the way the investigation into Giulio's kidnapping, torture and killing has evolved. Unfortunately, this is not a unique case as Egyptian authorities claim. Hundreds of Egyptian youth have been disappeared since the 2013 coup d'état by General Abdel Fattah Al Sissi.

We unreservedly support the demand for a comprehensive and transparent international investigation and a request that those responsible, no matter what their rank, bear the full extent of the international law for their heinous acts against Giulio.

We are aware of Italy's economic investments in Egypt, nonetheless we are certain that your government will not dilute its quest for justice for the sake of such interests. Italy will be doing the right thing, not only to Giulio's memory but also to all those Egyptians who have known the same deplorable treatment and tragic fate.
We and a large number of Egyptian people are watching Giulio's case with great anticipation. We are certain that your government will prove to be a guiding light for the sanctity of life and respect of the law. Meanwhile, I assure you that Giulio's name will remain in our thoughts and our hearts till justice is done and far beyond.

Sincerely yours,

Samaa Elibyari
Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy
Political Committee
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: (514) 805-3220
www.eccd.ca

Cc: Ehab Lotayef
Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy
Chairman

Press Release: ECCD denounces Egypt's faulty parliamentary elections, calls for boycott

- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

(Ottawa, October 16, 2015) The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) calls on all Egyptians to boycott the faulty parliamentary elections called by the military ruler Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

For Egyptian Canadians there cannot be a more sharp contrast than this tale of two elections. For the last several weeks, Egyptian Canadians have been witnessing and participating in an open and democratic electoral process in Canada. The positions of Canada's political parties run the gamut of the full political spectrum. Canadian citizens are free to organize, campaign, express their opinions, and vote their conscience without threat to life or liberty.

In contrast, thousands have been murdered by the military regime in Egypt, and tens of thousands have been imprisoned under conditions of torture and without recourse to a credible legal process. The main opposition leaders have been imprisoned, some have been sentenced to death in trials widely condemned as sham and farcical and all political opposition has been curtailed.

These so-called elections are fatally flawed in every way possible:

• The "elections" are being called by a military regime that came to power by overthrowing the first freely elected government in Egypt's history
• In carrying out their violent coup the military regime abrogated the will of the people expressed in five free and fair democratic polls
• The "elections" are being held with the main opposition outlawed, its leaders sentenced to death, its followers arrested and tortured, and numerous citizens executed by death squads on suspicion of belonging to the opposition
• The "elections" are being held while the country is under martial law
• The "elections" are being held after the military dictator expressed disdain for the laws that exist; Sisi has stated that "in good faith" the constitution gave too much power to Parliament, indicating that the powers of any "elected" parliament will be curtailed

"Governments and NGOs that participate in this fraudulent process, in any manner including monitoring the elections, discredit their commitment to democracy and human rights," said ECCD chairperson, Ehab Lotayef. "They would be providing political cover for the criminal regime in power today in Egypt." he continued.

ECCD calls upon all governments and NGOs to distance themselves from this "election" in respect for the sanctity of the blood that has been shed over the last four years, and still is, and to honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women standing up to Sisi's oppression.

ECCD stands with the courageous free Egyptians who continue to struggle to regain their revolution and achieve its goals. For them and for our beloved Egypt we call on all to boycott Sisi's charade of an election.

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, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver, and Kingston, which advocates for democracy and human rights in Egypt.

For more information:
www.eccd.ca
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Mohmaed S. Kamel: (514) 863-9202

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. Deena Abul Fottouh: (289) 259-7902
Montreal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mohmaed S. Kamel: (514) 863-9202
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. Mostafa Elhoushi: (403) 702-4156
Regina: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mahmoud Alhalafawy: (306) 591-0862
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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Open Letter from ECCD to Mexican Ambassador to Canada

September 15th 2015

Mr Ambassador Francisco Suárez Dávila,
First Secretary Mr. Fernando Gonzalez Saiffe:

I am writing on behalf of members of Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) to express our deepest sorrow and most sincere condolences to the families of the Mexican tourists killed by the Egyptian Security forces while visiting recently the Bahariya oasis in Egypt.

I also wish to express in the name of our members our best wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured in this reckless attack.

At ECCD, we join our voices to the those of the Mexican authorities demanding a thorough, swift and independent investigation. This tragic incident involving the Mexican tourists and their guides brings to light to the whole world, what we as an organization having been decrying, namely the extent of brutality and lack of accountability of the Egyptian security forces.

The present Egyptian government of Abdel Fateh El-Sissi, who seized power in a military coup by removing the first elected Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi July 3 2013, has proven his incapacity to rule judiciously the country or to provide adequate security for Egyptians and tourists alike.

Please convey our heartfelt thoughts to the family of the Mexican victims.

With our respectful regards,

Ehab Lotayef
Chairman, Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: (514) 941-9792
www.eccd.ca

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Press Release: Egyptian Canadians Condemn Today's Verdict Against Mohamed Fahmy and Other Al Jazeera Journalists

- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

(Ottawa, August 29, 2015) The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) condemns today's verdict that sentenced Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy along with two other Al-Jazeera journalists to 3 years in prison. A court in Cairo convicted Mohamed Fahmy, Baher Mohamed, and Peter Greste for allegedly spreading false news, aiding a terrorist organization, and working without a license.

"The verdict confirms that the Harper government's unconditional support of coup regime provides a green light for the Egyptian regime to continue its oppression even against Canadian citizens," said Ehab Lotayef, ECCD's Board Chair. "Today's conviction is part of the ongoing human rights violations which range from lack of due process to targeted assassinations," added Mr. Lotayef. 

Considering the reputation of Egyptian prisons, the Canadian government ought to be extremely concerned about the well being of Mr. Fahmy, a Canadian citizen. According to Human Rights Watch report, the Egyptian authorities have jailed more than 41,000 people since the 2013 July 3rd military coup.  At least seventy of those detainees have since died in custody due to torture and medical negligence, according to a report by the Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK.

In view of today's latest travesty of justice by the Egyptian judicial system, ECCD calls upon Mr. Harper and the Canadian government to abide by Canadian values and take a principled position. ECCD calls upon the Canadian government to publicly, and in no uncertain terms, condemn and contest the verdict and utilize all possible means to free Mohamed Fahmy and facilitate his return to Canada.

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, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, 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: (514) 941-9792

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. Deena Abul Fottouh: (289) 259-7902
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. Mostafa Elhoushi: (403) 702-4156
Regina: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mahmoud Alhalafawy: (306) 591-0862
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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