Free Salim Alaradi Campaign
Press Release –August 25th, 2015
Salim’s Health is Deteriorating Quickly
Canadian Citizen Detained in UAE for 363 Days
Today Salim Alaradi’s family received information that Salim, a Canadian citizen, is experiencing a significant deterioration in his health.
Salim has a number of pre-existing conditions in his spine prior to his detention that have increased in severity as a direct result of that detention, along with subsequent complaints caused by his detention. Salim is suffering from chronic back pain as a direct result of the conditions his cell. Salim has been denied access to specialized medical care.
If Salim’s health conditions remain untreated and he continues to be denied medical aid he is at risk of permanent and irreversible damage to his spine.
We are also very concerned about the health of Kamal Aldarat, the American citizen, who is the eldest of the six Libyan businessmen whom remain arbitrarily detained by the UAE State Security.
We are calling on the UAE Authorities to provide Salim Alaradi and Kamal Aldarat the highest attainable standard of care as required by international law. We request that they be released on medical grounds and until doing so to be transferred to a facility or to a physician with advanced imaging capabilities and surgical expertise.
We request from the Canadian and US governments to take prompt and meaningful action and intervene for their immediate and unconditional release.
Recent Media Coverage:
Alaraby - Tortured in the UAE, a story of two brothers
Globe & Mail - Groups call on Harper to intervene in case of Canadian held in UAE
CTV News - Teen fights for father’s freedom
The Middle East Eye- Daughter Struggles to Free Father in UAE Jail
CBC / Toronoto Sun / The Star - Salim Alaradi’s family still pleads for his release from UAE
CBC The Current - Canadian detained in UAE without charge since August
Our Winsor - Windsor family wants their father home as Ramadan ends
Windsor Star - Canadian Muslim spending Ramadan in Emirati prison without charge
Windsor Star - Windsor teen fighting for fathers freedom
Vice - Canadian teenager pleads for release of father detained in uae
Huffington Post - Americans Jailed in UAE for a Year Without Charge
Human Rights Organization Reports:
Amnesty Urgent Action – April 17 2015
Amnesty Urgent Action – September 24, 2014
Background:
Between August and September 2014 the UAE Authorities detained 10 foreign business men of Libyan nationality. These 10 include two Canadians and two Americans. Many of the detainees have lived in the UAE for over two decades and have contributed to its business community and are highly respected.
The UAE Authorities would not share the whereabouts of the detainees with their families for several months. No charges have been made and reasons for the detainment have not been provided to families or to the Libyan and Canadian authorities.
Amnesty International has issued two Urgent Actions, most recently in March of 2015. Human Rights Watch has also issued a report.
Detainees have been denied legal counsel and their families are not able to engage lawyers until the detainees are placed into the judicial system. Human rights organizations have suggested the arrests are politically motivated to place pressure on the Libyan government in which the UAE government does not support.
Family and friends began their campaign in April through social media and have gained significant following and support from Canadians from across the country. Over 2500 Canadians have signed an online petition calling for Salim’s release.
For more information contact the Alaradi family at [email protected]
For more details about the case please visit:
Campaign Website http://35.193.218.81/
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/freesalimalaradi
Twitter Account https://twitter.com/freesalimaradi
Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/freesalimalaradi
