December 9, 2014
The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy
(ECCD) is troubled by our government’s latest decisions to suspend its embassy
operation in Cairo and to issue an advisory for its citizens against
non-essential travel to Egypt due to the security situation.
The decisions which were harshly criticized
in the state-controlled Egyptian Media, followed close on the heels
of the Egyptian court’s politically motivated ruling for 188 people to be
sentenced to death on charges of killing 11 police officers in the town of
Kerdasa in August 2013.
Whereas ECCD commends the decisions and the concern
for the safety of our Canadian diplomats and citizens, we are troubled by the
Canadian Government’s continuous support for the current regime that has
irrefutably failed in delivering on its key promise, to restore safety and
security in Egypt.
In spite of the harsh criticism in the Egyptian
state-controlled media, we believe that, giving the inability of the regime to
ensure the safety of foreign nationals, the Canadian Government decisions were
appropriate measures to protect Canadian Nationals in a highly volatile and
unpredictable environment. Furthermore, ECCD cautions of the regime’s history
of covertly inciting violence in order to discredit the opposition movement and
to crack down on all voices of dissent. ECCD holds the
Egyptian government solely responsible for the safety of all Canadian citizens
living in Egypt, as well as its own Egyptian citizens.
ECCD recognizes that the decisions also reflect the
government’s awareness of the rapidly deteriorating security environment in
Egypt, an issue that is continually raised by ECCD and other human rights
organizations. ”Since the military coup of July 3rd 2013,
Egyptians have been living in a republic for fear, characterized by
unprecedented human rights abuses by the regime’s security apparatus, and
record setting violence and crime rate.”, said Ehab Lotayef, ECCD
Chairman. “What more does the Canadian government need
to publicly withdraw its support for the coup regime that robbed
Egyptian’s right to democracy under the watchful eye of western democracies in
the name of security and stability” asked Mr. Lotayef in a recent statement.
We call upon the Canadian government to seize the
opportunity and publicly withdraw its support to the current
illegitimate regime that robbed Egyptians of their January 25threvolution’s
dream for economic prosperity, freedom, and social justice.
Media contact:
Ehab EL-komy 613-852-1694 ehab@trilexsecurity.com
Mostaf Elhoushi 403-702-4156
mostafa.elhoushi@gmail.com
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