Free Salim Alaradi – We urge the United Arab Emirates to stop the torture, and unconditionally and immediately release Canadian citizen Salim Alaradi, who has been detained since August 2014.

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Background story:

On August 28, 2014 Salim was arrested without charge from a hotel during a family vacation.  His family was never told why he was arrested or where he was taken.  Family members immediately informed Canadian authorities.

On the same day, his brother Mohamad Alaradi was also arrested and detained.

The UAE authorities refused to provide information to the family.  The family did not publicly advocate in hopes of Salim’s immediate release, however, his whereabouts remained unknown for over four months until a call was received and details of his location were provided.

After 4 months his brother Mohamad was released. Reasons for arrest or release where never shared and are considered arbitrary. It is suspected that his release was due to international pressure and to reduce attention on those detained.

During this period, it became clear that Salim’s arrest was one of several arrests on residents who held Libyan nationality. At least ten Libyan men, some with dual nationality, were detained in the UAE between 13th of August and 3rd of September. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch quickly investigated and issued reports confirming that Salim’s detainment was considered enforced disappearance and arbitrary under international law.

United, we call upon the Government of Canada to:

1. Respect the right to freedom of opinion and expression

Therefore,

• Cease to deliberately target those who speak out against government policies with the use of smear campaigns, dismissal from employment, funding cuts, blatant and subtle threats, regulations designed to obfuscate and prevent public debate, and other acts of bad faith.
• Commit to parliamentary hearings that address widespread concerns about the loss of democratic space in Canada.

2. Act in accordance with Canada’s democratic traditions and values

Therefore,

• Actively promote and support political diversity and public debate, instead of avoiding it.
• Recognize and respect the vital role, expertise, and necessary independence of civil society organizations.

3. Be transparent

Therefore,

• Demonstrate full respect for and accountability to the Parliament of Canada and the Canadian People.
• Allow complete access for Canadians to information regarding public policy decisions.
• Base funding decisions for government and civil society organizations on fair standards and democratic principles, instead of partisan agendas.

Read more and endorse the Declaration, as an individual or an organization

Read the report Dismantling Democracy: Stifling debate and dissent in Canada

Amnesty International Canada – Thirty years ago, the international community agreed to ban torture and adopted the Convention against Torture. Yet in recent years, the practice remains widespread as governments justify any means to combat security threats and organized crime or simply suppress dissent. Key safeguards that would reduce and prevent the use of torture remain unimplemented.

Send a message to Canada’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rob Nicholson, calling on him to ensure Canada fully commits to ending the use of torture around the world.

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Canada must take action to strengthen global efforts to end torture, say NGOs in open letter to Prime Minister Harper