July 15 Parliament Hill Press Conference: Leading Canadians Publish Open Letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper Requesting Action in the Case of Khaled Al-Qazzaz
OTTAWA, July 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Leading Canadian academics, lawyers, professionals, authors, artists, celebrities, writers, thinkers, activists and organizations have collectively endorsed an open letter requesting Prime Minister Harper's prompt and meaningful action to secure the immediate release of Canadian permanent resident Khaled Al-Qazzaz.
A Parliament Hill Press Conference has been arranged ahead of publishing the letter, where leading Canadians committed to Khaled's release are scheduled to speak. Roch Tasse, National Coordinator of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, will host the conference. Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, will address Khaled's illegal detainment. Writer and activist Dr. Monia Mazigh, will comment on the tragedy for Al-Qazzaz's family. Also speaking will be Sarah Attia, Khaled's Toronto-born wife, who will share the impact on her family. The panel will respond to questions from media on Khaled Al-Qazzaz's ordeal.
Khaled Al-Qazzaz has been detained by the Egyptian military without charge since July 3, 2013 and is currently being held in solitary confinement in Tora Prison in Cairo. He is the longest held detainee since the July 2013 Egyptian military coup. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch characterize Khaled's detainment as "enforced disappearance" under international law, recognizing it as a breach of human rights. Khaled is being held under inhumane conditions and his health is deteriorating rapidly.
Khaled's health has deteriorated significantly and a recent medical report is showing his conditions may lead to paralysis and permanent disability if not treated immediately.
The press conference will be held at the Charles-Lynch Press Conference Room in Centre Block on Parliament Hill, on Tuesday July 15, 2014 at 10.30 am. The open letter and the list of signatories will be published on July 15, 2014.
Interview Opportunities:
Sarah Attia will be available in Ottawa on July 15 and 16, 2014 for interviews.
Further information can be found at:
http://www.freekhaledalqazzaz.com
https://www.facebook.com/freekhaledalqazzaz
@FreeKhaledAQ
SOURCE: Free Khaled Campaign
Ahmad Attia, 647-292-5049, [email protected]
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