Free Salim Alaradi Campaign
Contact the Alaradi family at [email protected]
Press Release – June 17, 2015
Salim Alaradi Family calls on the Special Procedures Branch of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate and call for Alaradi’s unconditional and immediate release.
Alaradi’s family is fighting for his freedom, survival and human rights with hopes of re-uniting their family once again. Alaradi is a Canadian-Libyan citizen who has been unjustly and arbitrarily detained by the United Arab Emirates Security Services for over 292 days without any charges in the Wathba Abu Dhabi Prison.
Family members will be travelling to Geneva on Thursday June 18 and Friday June 19, 2015 to submit an Urgent Communication request to the Special Procedures Branch of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The family hopes that the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers will hear their case and subsequently declare his detention in breach of international law.
“My uncle will be traveling to Geneva to represent our family at the United Nations,” explains Marwa Alaradi. “My father’s human rights have been violated. He has been tortured, interrogated and has not been given the medical attention he needs. He needs to be released immediately and to come home to our family.”
Human Rights Organization Reports:
Amnesty Urgent Action – April 17 2015
Amnesty Urgent Action – September 24, 2014
Media:
The family will be available for media to discuss the case while in Geneva.
Recent Media Coverage:
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/windsor-teen-fighting-for-fathers-freedom
https://news.vice.com/article/canadian-teenager-pleads-for-release-of-father-detained-in-uae
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.
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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
