Contact the Alaradi family at [email protected] or at 519-800-4571.
WINDSOR, ON, June 4, 2015 - Family calls on the federal government to help bring home the father of five
Marwa Alaradi, Salim Alaradi’s 17-year-old daughter, is advocating for her father’s freedom, survival and human rights with hopes of re-uniting their family once again. Alaradi has been unjustly and arbitrarily detained by the United Arab Emirates Security Services for over 280 days without any charges. Alaradi, his wife and five children are all Canadian citizens who currently reside in Windsor, Ontario.
Family members, including his daughter, will be travelling to Ottawa on June 9th and 10th to seek the help of the Canadian government, particularly the Hon. MP Robert Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Hon. MP Lynne Yelich, Minister of State. The family has requested meetings with both offices and is calling for immediate intervention and the unconditional release of their father.
Alaradi is a Libyan-born Canadian citizen. He is the CEO of Hommer International and relocated to the UAE in 2007 to gain access to new markets for his company. Alardi lived in the UAE, like many Canadians, without restrictions for many years and was a law-abiding resident.
“On August 28, 2014, while on our annual family vacation in Dubai, our father was approached by UAE Security Services in the lobby of our hotel. We never saw him again,” recounts his daughter. “The UAE Authorities have never provided any explanation for why they took my father to our family or the Canadian embassy. My father has been tortured, denied his basic human rights, lawyers, regular visits from the embassy, family visits and phone calls and we have no idea of his current situation. For seven months I prayed each night that my father was still alive but now I have decided to fight and bring him home. I must stay strong for my mother, my siblings and most of all, for my father,” says Marwa.
Alaradi has been exposed to physical inhumane torture, regular interrogation, sleep deprivation, psychological torture, malnutrition, solitary confinement and unhygienic cell conditions. His health is in critical condition and he has been denied appropriate medical assistance.
The UAE Authorities renew Alaradi’s detention every 30 days. His most recent renewal took place on June 4, 2015without due legal process. The UAE has not cooperated with the Canadian embassy.
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 her online petition. While inOttawa, his daughter Marwa is hoping to speak with media to build more awareness of her family’s ordeal.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both issued reports and characterize his detention as “enforced disappearance” under international law, recognizing it as a breach of human rights.
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 are denied legal counsel and their families are not able to engage legal counsel until the detainees are placed into the judicial system.
In December 2014 four of the detainees where randomly released without charge and deported to Turkey. Those released have spoken of excessive torture and ill-treatment.
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.
For more details about the case please visit:
Campaign Website http://www.freesalimalaradi.com/
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/freesalimalaradi
Twitter Account https://twitter.com/freesalimaradi
Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/freesalimalaradi
