Standing in Support of Canadian Journalist Mohamed Fahmy

STANDING IN SUPPORT OF CANADIAN JOURNALIST MOHAMED FAHMY

Dear Prime Minister Harper:

We (the undersigned) are writing to urge you to intervene personally and immediately in the case of Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy, who is currently facing retrial in Egypt after 411 days of incarceration.

As you know, Mr. Fahmy has fulfilled all the requirements for his deportation from Egypt, including relinquishing his Egyptian citizenship. His legal counsel, Amal Clooney, has stated that there is no legal impediment to Mr. Fahmy’s immediate transfer to Canada.

Mr. Fahmy and his family have been concerned that there appears to be a lack of advocacy coming directly from the Canadian government and Prime Minister’s office. Mr. Fahmy’s colleague, Peter Greste, was released and deported February 1 after the personal intervention of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who spoke personally to President el-Sisi three times.

We are deeply concerned that this type of initiative has not been taken by the Canadian government. There have been statements in recent days from Minister of State Lynne Yelich in response to concern from the Canadian public, but Mr. Fahmy’s case deserves assurances of action at the highest level.

The timing is crucial, as Mr. Fahmy is facing retrial on February 23. It is essential that this initiative be followed immediately to ensure his safe release and deportation back to Canada.

We stand in support of Mr. Fahmy along with thousands of Canadians, international human rights organizations and global political leaders urging you to contact President el-Sisi and request that Mr. Fahmy’s deportation order be honoured.

Signed:

1 Stephen Lewis, C.C. Diplomat, politician & Companion of the Order of Canada 2 Rick Mercer Comedian, host of "Rick Mercer Report" 3 Michael Ondaatje, O.C. Canadian author, Officer of the Order of Canada 4 Sarah Polley Filmmaker / actor 5 Michele Landsberg, O.C. Journalist, author & Officer of the Order of Canada 6 Bonnie Sherr Klein, O.C. Filmmaker, Officer of the Order of Canada 7 Naomi Klein Author 8 Avi Lewis Filmmaker 9 Arsinée Khanjian Actor & producer 10 Atom Egoyan Film Director 11 Ivor Shapiro Chair, School of Journalism, Ryerson University 12 Lisa Steele Professor (University of Toronto), Gov.Gen. award recipient 13 Kim Tomczak Assoc. Professor, Gov.Gen. award recipient 14 Dania Majid Human rights lawyer (Arab-Cdn Lawyers Assoc.) 15 James Loney Former hostage in Iraq 16 Judy Rebick Journalist & activist 17 Shani Mootoo Canadian author 18 Paul Wong Artist & Gov.General award recipient 19 Tarek Loubani, M.D. Emergency physician 20 John Greyson Filmmaker & Assoc. Professor, York University 21 John S. Saul Emeritus Professor (York) & Fellow - Royal Society of Canada 22 Dr. Michael Klein Professor Emeritus (Family Medicine) UBC 23 Allan Hawco Actor 24 Abby Lippman, Ph.D. Professor Emerita, McGill University 25 Adele Perry Professor of History, University of Manitoba. 26 Alejandro I. Paz Assistant Professor, University of Toronto 27 Alexis Mitchell Artist 28 Ali Kazimi Filmmaker 29 Ali Mallah Peace & anti-war activist 30 Alison Rose, O.Ont. Filmmaker 31 Allie Lehmann Registered Nurse 32 Amir Hassanpour Associate Prof (Ret.), U of Toronto 33 Amy Gottlieb Educator & activist 34 Andrew Lyons Professor Emeritus, Wilfrid Laurier University 35 Angie Heo Research fellow, Max Planck Society 36 Anita Block Social worker & hospice volunteer 37 Ann Silversides Journalist & poet 38 Anna Zalik Associate Professor, York University 39 Atiqa Hachimi Assistant Professor, University of Toronto 40 Audrey Huntley Co-Founder, No More Silence 41 b.h. Yael Artist/Professor, OCAD University 42 Barbara Evans Associate Professor, York University 43 Barry Stevens Filmmaker 44 Bob Luker Professor (retired) 45 Brooke Lydbrooke Teacher/ Songwriter 46 Carmen Arndt Production Manager 47 Carole Conde Artist 48 Carole Larsen Documentary Editior 49 Caroline Christie Film editor 50 Cathy Gulkin Filmmaker 51 Cecilia Greyson Writer & activist 52 Chase Joynt Filmmaker 53 Chris Wiseman Filmmaker 54 Clive Robertson, Ph.D. Queens University 55 Corvin Russell Writer and activist 56 Dan Freeman-Maloy Activist & writer 57 Daniel Tisch Public relations executive 58 David Beasley Taproot Faith Community 59 David DePoe Teacher 60 David McNally Professor, York University 61 David Morris Concordia University 62 Deborah Barndt Professor Emeritus 63 Dennis Day Visual Artist 64 Devin Casey Photographer 65 Dina Georgis University of Toronto 66 Dr Minelle Mahtani Associate Professor, University of Toronto 67 Dr. Becky R. Lee York University 68 Dr. Brenda Longfellow Professor, York University 69 Dr. Deborah Cook Professor, University of Windsor 70 Dr. Deborah Root Writer & educator 71 Dr. Elle Flanders Filmmaker & professor, Ryerson University 72 Dr. Lynne Marks Department of History, University of Victoria 73 Dr. Margaret Branton Environmental Scientist 74 Dr. Mary Bunch Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto 75 Dr. Maureen Fitzgerald University of Toronto 76 Dr. Ramabai Espinet New College, University of Toronto 77 Dr. Shahrzad Mojab Professor 78 Dr. Val Marie Johnson St. Mary's University 79 Dr. Warren Crichlow York University 80 Dwyer Sullivan Secondary school teacher (retired) 81 Eileen Thalenberg Stormy Nights Productions 82 El-Farouk Khaki Lawyer, Human Rights Advocate 83 Ellen Wordsworth Former Vancouver City Councillor 84 Emily Gilbert Associate Professor, University of Toronto 85 Eric Mykhalovskiy Associate Professor, York University 86 Ester Reiter Senior scholar, York University 87 Ezra Winton Cinema Politica Network 88 Farah Mawani Human rights campaigner & Ph.D. candidate 89 Gary Kinsman Professor Emeritus, Laurentian University 90 Gillian Rodgerson Editor 91 Gini Dickie Teacher (retired) 92 Gita Hashemi Artist 93 Glen Richards Media Producer 94 Glenn Schellenberg Department of Psychology, University of Toronto 95 Gordon Sakamoto Retiree 96 Hans Juergen Balmes Editor (S.Fischer Publishing, Germany) 97 Harriet Lyons Professor Emerita University of Waterloo 98 Heather Murray University of Toronto 99 Heather Wilkinson Artist 100 Honor Ford-Smith, Ph.D. Associate Professor, York University 101 Ian Balfour York University 102 Itrath Syed Ph.D. candidate, Simon Fraser University 103 Ivor Shapiro Chair, School of Journalism, Ryerson University 104 Jacqueline Kennelly Associate Professor, Carleton University 105 James Brophy, PhD Adjunct Faculty University of Windsor Janine Marchessault, 106 Ph.D. Professor, York University 107 Jean Desormeaux Professor, Sheridan College 108 Jennifer Baichwal Filmmaker 109 Joan Malcolmsen Retired College Teacher 110 Joan Schafer President of Schafer/Thurling Productions Ltd. 111 Joanne Naiman Professor Emerita, Ryerson University 112 Johanna Householder Professor, OCAD University 113 John Coulbourn Journalist (retired) 114 John S. Saul Emeritus Professor (York) & Fellow - Royal Society of Canada 115 Joy Cohnstaedt Professor Emerita, York University 116 Ju Hui Judy Han University of Toronto 117 Judy Gladstone CEO, E & E Productions 118 Judy Wolfe Publisher, POV Magazine 119 Julia Barnett President, United Jewish People's Order 120 Justin Podur, Ph.D. Associate Professor, York University 121 Karl Beveridge Artist 122 Kathy Wazana Filmmaker 123 Kerri Sakamoto Writer 124 Kevin Moloney Dept of Languages, York University 125 Leela Acharya Secondary teacher 126 Leslie Shade University of Toronto 127 Linda McQuaig Author 128 Linzi Manicom University of Toronto 129 Lisa Kiss Lisa Kiss Design 130 Lynda Lemberg Educators for Peace & Justice 131 M.E. Luka Postdoctoral fellow, Ryerson University 132 Marc Glassman Editor, POV Magazine 133 Marcia Connolly Filmmaker 134 Margot Francis, Ph.D Associate Professor, Brock University 135 Marie-Josée Chartier Artistic Director, Chartier Danse 136 Matthew Hays Journalist & professor 137 Maureen Hynes Writer, retired college professor 138 Melissa Marr Artist 139 Melony Ward Publisher 140 Mercedes Steedman Professor Emerita, Laurentian University 141 Michelle Gay Artist 142 Midi Onodera Artist 143 Min Sook Yee Filmmaker 144 Mira Khazzam Member, Independent Jewish Voices 145 Natalie Kouri-Towe Ph.D. candidate 146 Natalie Rothman Associate Professor, University of Toronto 147 Natalie Zemon Davis University of Toronto 148 Natasha Greenblatt Actress, The National Arts Centre. 149 Neil Naiman Senior Scholar York University 150 Nick de Pencier Filmmaker 151 Nina Spada, Ph.D. OISE / University of Toronto 152 Omar Sirri Ph.D. candidate, University of Toronto 153 Peggy Mason President, Rideau Institute 154 Peter Fitting Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto 155 Peter Lynch Filmmaker 156 Prabha Khosla Director of Programmes, International City Leaders 157 Rachel Zolf Writer 158 Ratiba Hadj-Moussa Associate Professor 159 Rebecca Comay University of Toronto 160 Rebecca Garrett Artist / filmmaker / educator 161 Richard Fung Artist & Assoc. Professor 162 Rinaldo Walcott, Ph.D. Associate Professor 163 Robert L. Lyons Journalist & former MLA (SK) 164 Roger Beck Prof. Emeritus, University of Toronto 165 Sandra Shamus Writer/performer 166 Sarindar Dhaliwal Artist 167 Stephen Andrews Artist 168 Sue Goldstein Women in Solidarity with Palestine 169 Susan Crean Author & journalist 170 Susan Ditta Artist 171 Susan Ehrlich Professor, York University 172 Susan Feldman Journalist & professor 173 Susan Fleming Documentary filmmaker 174 Susan Ruddick University of Toronto 175 Susan Schelle Associate Professor, University of Toronto 176 Syed Hussan Coordinator, Migrant Workers Alliance for Change 177 Sylvia D. Hamilton Filmmaker & writer 178 Tabatha Southey Writer 179 Takashi Fujitani Professor, University of Toronto 180 Tamira Sawatzky Architect 181 Tanya Mars Senior lecturer, University of Toronto 182 Thomas Waugh Concordia University 183 Tony Souza Community Activist 184 Troy Jackson Artist & writer 185 Valerie Hussey, C.M. Publisher (ret.) 186 Velcrow Ripper Film Director 187 Abby Pope 188 Adele M. Boy 189 Aeyliya Husain 190 Aida Graff 191 Alexander Campbell 192 Alice Jim 193 Alice Klein 194 Alice Moores-Rodgerson 195 Alison Duke 196 Alison Murray 197 Alix Davis 198 Almerinda Travassos 199 Ander Negrazis 200 Andrew MacDonald 201 Ann Manuel 202 Anna Willats 203 Aries Chung 204 Arlene Moscovitch 205 Barb Thomas 206 Barbara Birkett, MD, FRCPC(ret.) 207 Barbara Emanuel 208 Barbara Okelly 209 Bev Burke 210 Blake Fitzpatrick 211 Brenda Thompson 212 Brigid O'Reilly 213 Caitlin O'Leary 214 Carrie Lester 215 Carroll Klein 216 Casey Oraa 217 Catherine Walther 218 Catherine Wismer 219 Chandler Davis 220 Charles Campbell 221 Charlotte Odele 222 Cheryl Gaster 223 Cheryl Sourkes 224 Chevy Robin Jr. Eugene 225 Christine Gebel 226 Claire Kendall, M.D. 227 Colleen Wagner 228 D. Elkington 229 David Abramowitz 230 David Wall 231 David Weller 232 Deborah Cowen 233 Delaram Karkheirankhoozani 234 Denise N Hammond, MES 235 Diana Meredith 236 Dr. Myles Lipton 237 Dudley Paul 238 Duraid Munajim 239 Elida Schogt 240 Elizabeth Block 241 Eman Loubani, M.D. 242 Erika Ritter 243 Frances Brady 244 Frank Faulk 245 Gabriel Epstein 246 Gareth Roberts 247 Gary Keenan 248 Gene Tishauer 249 George Hawken 250 Glen Brown 251 Gordon Brent-Brochu, Ph.D. 252 Greg Cook 253 Hana Saab 254 Harold Wright 255 Hazel Bell-Koski 256 Heather Chetwynd 257 Hedy Muysson 258 Heidi McKenzie 259 Heidi Schaefer 260 Helen Victoros 261 Ian Duncan 262 Jamie Swift 263 Jan Lovesey 264 Jane Marvy 265 Jane Springer 266 Janet Speth 267 Jason O'Hara 268 Jean Sheppard 269 Jeannie Lovesey 270 Jens Hanssen 271 Jocelyne Clark 272 John Huot 273 John McCullough 274 John Murtaugh 275 John Wilson 276 Judith Coffin 277 Judith R. Weisman 278 Judy jackson 279 Judy Rose 280 Kate Lushington 281 Kelli Kieley 282 Kelly Showker 283 Kyo Maclear 284 Larissa Barr 285 Laura Cooper 286 Laurel Thompson 287 Lee Rodney 288 Lily Gibson 289 Lois Fine 290 Lorraine Duff 291 Luis Jacob 292 Lynda Yanz 293 Lyne Lapointe 294 Maggi Redmonds Maggie Moores- 295 Rodgerson 296 Mahmoud Loubani, M.D. 297 Mahmoud Ramezani 298 Mara Herscovitch 299 Margaret McClelland 300 Margaret Moores 301 Maria Beasley 302 Marie Cerny 303 Marie Rickard 304 Marion Pollack 305 Mark Gomes 306 Marlene Campbell 307 Marsha Fine 308 Martha Miller 309 Martha Staigys 310 Mary Armstrong 311 Mary Ellen Belfiore 312 Mary Ellen Chown 313 Mary Ellen Lawless 314 Mary Gauthier 315 Marylin Kanee 316 Merryl Bear 317 Miriam Garfinkle M.D. 318 Mohammad Amin Toyouri 319 Monika Kin Gagnon 320 Nan Peacocke 321 Nancy Marcotte 322 Naomi Binder Wall 323 Natalie Lovesey, M.D. 324 Nesa Izadnia 325 Oonagh Berry 326 Orlando Buonastella 327 Osama Loubani, M.D. 328 Pam Pletsch 329 Pamela Rodgerson 330 Pat Saul 331 Peter Marmorek 332 Phyllis Gordon 333 Rachael Glassman 334 Reem A. Qadir 335 Regula Modlich, MES, MCIP ret. 336 Richard Greenblatt 337 Rick Arnold 338 Rick Wong 339 Rina Fraticelli 340 Rob Howarth 341 Ron Benner 342 Ronit Little 343 Rosemary Williamson 344 Ross McGregor 345 Rufus Dickinson 346 Sage Walker 347 Salma Abdu, D.D. 348 Sandra Shlomit Segal 349 Sara Barker 350 Sara Loubani, M.D. 351 Shayna Hornstein 352 Sheila Block 353 Sherif Foda, LL.L., J.D., M.Sc. 354 Sid Shnaid 355 Smadar Carmon 356 Spider Campos 357 Stephen Aberle 358 Stephen Donahue 359 Susan Bender 360 Susan Crean 361 Susan Kasurak 362 Susan Stout 363 Susan Wayne 364 Suzanne Mallouk M.D. 365 Suzanne Mills 366 Svetla Turnin 367 Sylvia Lustgarten 368 Sylvia Skrepichuk 369 Valerie Buhagiar 370 Warren Kazor 371 Wendy Coburn 372 Wendy Cuthbertson 373 Zahra Binbrek 374 Zeeba Loxley 375 Zvi Gaster CPA, CGA