EU

Salim Alaradi’s brother speaks in Geneva during the 31st Session of the UN Human Rights Council

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Free Salim Alaradi Campaign

Urgent Update – March 20th 2016

 Salim Alaradi’s brother speaks in Geneva during the 31st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Canadian Citizen Detained in United Arab Emirates for 570 Days

 

On Thursday March 17, 2016 Mohamed Alaradi, Canadian citizen Salim Alaradi’s brother, spoke at a UN side event during the 31st Session of the UN Human Rights Council. During one of the busiest times of the year in Geneva, Mohamed opened up his speech with “I am not just family of a victim - but I was one of the victims and a survivor of the UAE secret torture prisons,” in front of a large group of diplomats, journalists and human rights groups who came to understand the deteriorating human rights situation in the UAE.

Mads Andenaes, former chair of the UN Working Group in the Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), spoke as well and highlighted the case of Alaradi. “The group this February made their opinion public on foreign nationals detained in the UAE. Their arbitrary detention was clearly established by the UN Working Group.”

“I know for a fact that Salim simply wants his dignity and freedom back. When justice is given to him and he is a free man once more - all he wants is to rebuild his life with his children. We are looking forward to have this campaign come to an end… All we are looking for is a just verdict which will help us close this difficult chapter of our lives,” concluded Mohamed. He also met with UN human rights officers and senior officials.

The Libyan Association for Victims of Torture and Enforced Disappearance in the UAE raised the awareness of Alaradi’s case through a very creative and eye catching whiteboard animation video launched at the UN, which has been gaining thousands of views online since.


Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpETIlA8LwE

Marwa, Alaradi’s eldest daughter, has published her first article on the Huffington Post World. Marwa explains “Our campaign’s objective has always been to raise global awareness in hopes that the UAE’s just rulers will recognize that something unjust and illegal is being carried out in their country. The Emirates’ State Security is using the threat of terrorism to misrepresent and distort the situation and to distract not only the international community, but its very own government, from its illegal methods, all in order to cover up the gross human rights violations it is guilty of.” Marwa has been traveling the world advocating for her father. “As long as my father is not safe at home with us, we will keep on fighting.”

 

Updates from Last Hearing

In the last hearing Alaradi from behind a glass wall watched as a State Security agent took the stand to be cross examined. The agent is the author of the primary witness statement in the prosecution file and his accusations are built on secret sources and confessions.

As he was cross examined by lawyers he appeared on edge and contradicted his written statements several times. When challenged on the evidence of alleging Alaradi committed crimes of terrorism, he consistently pointed to the confessions.

During the trial one of the American defendants, Kamal Eldarat, shouted out “you are under oath, you tortured me and threatened my family if I didn’t confess” causing the interrogator to panic but he denied doing so.

Trial iv-min.jpg

 

Update on Court-Ordered Forensic Assessment

On February 15th, 2016, as a result of media attention and scrutiny, and trial monitoring by Canadian and American diplomats, the court agreed to a request by the defence lawyers to order a medical examination to determine if Alaradi was tortured.

Last week Alaradi was transferred to the office of a court-selected physician at the Ministry of Justice. His examination took no more than eight minutes. The forensic report will be submitted to the courts on Monday March 21st in the next hearing.

 

Next Hearing

Tomorrow, Monday March 21st, 2016 Alaradi will be brought before the courts for his fourth hearing where it is expected that the forensic medical report will be submitted to the court and the former president of Libya who served during the National Transition Council (NTC), the internationally recognized government after the Libyan revolution, will testify.

 

Recent Media Coverage

CNN Politics - Terror trial set to begin for U.S. citizens in United Arab Emirates

Rabble - Our friends the Gulf sheikhs and the case of Salim Alaradi

Human Rights First - Trial of U.S. Citizens Detained in UAE Resumes

Huffington Post World - We Will Not Stop Until Our Father Comes Home

 

Other Media Coverage

The Globe and Mail - Trial resumes in UAE for Canadian alleging torture

The Washington Post - U.S. citizens tortured into confessing terrorist ties in the UAE, family says

The Guardian - UAE beat foreign prisoners and gave them electric shocks, evidence shows

The Washington Post – Americans tortured by American ally

The Guardian - Two Americans detained in UAE to go on trial after 505 days without charges

BBC - UN experts urge UAE to release Libyan detainees

Guardian - Businessmen held in UAE were tortured into confessions, says UN report

New York Times - UN Calls on UAE to Release 5 Libyans Allegedly Tortured

ABC News - UN Calls on UAE to Release 5 Libyans Allegedly Tortured

FOX News - UAE accused of torturing 5 detainees, including 2 Americans

Daily Mail - UN calls on UAE to release 5 Libyans allegedly tortured

Globe and Mail - Canadian businessman Salim Alaradi on trial in Abu Dhabi in terror case

La Presse - L’ONU demande aux Émirats arabes unis de libérer un détenu canadien

Reuters - UN experts condemn trial of foreign nationals in the UAE, call for release

CBC - United Nations calls for Canadian Salim Alaradi’s release from U.A.E.

Huffington Post - Salim Alaradi Case: UN Calls On United Arab Emirates To Release Detained Canadian

CTV - UN calls on U.A.E. to release detained Canadian

Toronto Sun - UN calls for release of Canadian detained in UAE for year and a half

ICI Radio Canada - Le procès de Salim Alaradi aux Émirats arabes unis ajourné au 29 février

Middle East Eye - The UAE must free my brother, Salim Alaradi

 

Media Contacts

For further details about Salim Alaradi’s situation and the progress of the case in UAE:

Paul Champ, Human rights lawyer representing Salim Alaradi
T: (613) 237-2441
E: [email protected]

Greg Craig, Lawyer for US Nationals Kamal and Mohamed El Darat and former White House Counsel
T: +1.202.371.7400
E: [email protected]

Marwa Alaradi, Salim Alaradi’s eldest daughter
E: [email protected]

 

For comments about the UN News Release:

Ms. Amanda Flores, UN Human Rights Officer
T: + 41 22 917 9186
E: [email protected])

Ms. Sonia Cronin, UN Human Rights Officer
T: +41 22 917 9160
E: [email protected]

For comments about the case and the UN Opinion:

Geoffrey Robertson QC
T: + 44 (0) 7940 951731
E: [email protected]

Sue Willman, Deighton Pierce Glynn
T: +44 (0) 20 7407 0007
E: [email protected]

Andy Slaughter MP, Shadow Justice Minister
T: +44 (0)20 7610 1950
E: [email protected]

For further background about this case and related human rights concerns in UAE:

John Tackaberry, Media Officer, Amnesty International Canada
T: (613) 744-7667, extension 236
E: [email protected]

Monia Mazigh, National Coordinator-International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group
T: (613) 241-5298
E: [email protected]

Nicholas McGeehan, UAE researcher at Human Rights Watch
E: [email protected]

Drewery Dyke, UAE Researcher at Amnesty International
T: +44 (0) 75 3558 7297
E: [email protected]

 

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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

Press Release – Canadian Citizen, Salim Alaradi, detained in the UAE, on Hunger Strike

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Press Release – Canadian Citizen, Salim Alaradi, detained in the UAE on Hunger Strike

 

Free Salim Alaradi Campaign

 

Urgent Update – December 1st 2015

 

Canadian Citizen, Salim Alaradi, detained in the UAE on Hunger Strike

Canadian Citizen Detained in UAE for 461 Days

 

A recent visit by Canadian authorities with Salim Alaradi has confirmed that he is on a hunger strike. Alaradi’s family is very concerned as his medical situation is only going to further exuberated by his hunger strike.

Alaradi has also informed Canadian authorities that he has recently met with a UAE general lawyer who has informed him that there are no accusations against him and his file has been closed.  His file has been transferred to the Prosecutor General’s office who will decide on releasing him or taking further action against him.

Alaradi’s family has urged Canadian authorities to use this window of an opportunity to intervene and call on the UAE government to immediately release him.

After 461 days of arbitrary detainment with no charge the international community lead by Canada should be calling on the UAE to halt the unlawful detainment of Salim and others.

“I am extremely concerned about my father’s health and the impacts of this hunger strike. But the news of his visit with the general lawyer is positive. It is the first time there has been sign of a legal process. The information that my father’s file has nothing against him is only further confirmation of what international lawyers, human rights organizations, Canadian authorities and I have been saying,” says Marwa, Salim Alaradi’s eldest daughter. “I am hoping the UAE authorities show good will and immediately reunite my father with us in Canada.”

Just over a week ago Marwa emailed every Member of Parliament to make them aware that a Canadian citizen is being detained and tortured in the UAE.  She hopes this will be a priority for parliament when it resumes this week.

Marwa has still not received a response from the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Office after she released her video message.  This week she has released it www.hilltimes.com.

 

The Video Message can be viewed on the following link: https://youtu.be/OVbtO0JPSns

 

Human Rights Organization Reports:

HRW Report - October 13, 2014

Amnesty Urgent Action – April 17 2015

Amnesty Urgent Action – September 24, 2014

HRW Report – October 5, 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.

 

Amnesty International has issued two Urgent Actions and Human Rights Watch has also issued a report. They have defined the arrests as enforced disappearance and the detainments as incommunicado.

 

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.

 

The UAE is in violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The detainees have been denied reasonable communication with their family members.

 

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 information contact the Alaradi family at [email protected]

 

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

 

Press Release - CBC Publishes Video Message from Marwa Alaradi to the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

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Free Salim Alaradi Campaign

 

Urgent Update – November 17th 2015

 

CBC Publishes Video Message from Marwa Alaradi to the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Canadian Citizen Detained in UAE for 447 Days

 

“I cannot comprehend how Canada has remained silent when more than one Canadian is kidnapped and tortured by UAE state security agents. I cannot understand how Canadians find this acceptable when over 40,000 Canadians live in the UAE. Something does not make sense,” says Marwa, Salim Alaradi’s eldest daughter.

 

After seven months of not visiting Canadian citizen Salim Alaradi, officials from the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi visited him two weeks ago. They reported to the family that his health is very concerning.

 

In June 2015 Marwa and her family met with the former Minister of State, Lynne Yelich, who informed them that this was the highest priority consular affairs file on her desk. Nevertheless the family believes that Foreign Affairs could have done more to secure the release of Alaradi. As a matter of fact they have failed to provide the most basic consular support. While the family appreciates everything consular officials have done to date, the reality is that they have not visited Alaradi for months up until recently and his conditions have not improved, but most importantly he has not been reunited with his family.

 

“I am hoping that our new government will prioritize my father’s unlawful detainment and resolve it quickly. I have high hopes that he will be brought home to us before the New Year. This is why I prepared a message to the Right Honourable Prime Minister – I need him to intervene,” says Marwa.

 

Yesterday, CBC published Marwa’s video message to the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/windsor/salim-alaradi-s-daughter-calling-on-pm-to-help-free-dad-from-u-a-e-prison-1.3321782.

 

The Video Message can also be viewed on the following link: https://youtu.be/OVbtO0JPSns

 

 

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For more information contact the Alaradi family at [email protected]

Urgent Update - UAE Target Canadian Salim Alaradi’s Family in Response to Marwa’s Advocacy

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Free Salim Alaradi Campaign

Urgent Update – October 31th, 2015

 

UAE Target Canadian Salim Alaradi’s Family in Response to Marwa’s Advocacy

Canadian Citizen Detained in UAE for 431 Days

Two days ago, on October 27th, UAE State Security called Salim Alaradi’s company and ordered them to shutdown operations within two days. They also notified them all visas for employees would be cancelled. When management requested to have this order submitted officially to them, the UAE the Ministry of Economy, and Ministry of Labour both said it is a State Security officials orders. This unaccountable interference by the State Security is only hurting the reputation of UAE as an investment safe haven.

Alaradi’s company has been operating in the UAE for years according to the law and without any disruption or restrictions. In fact, the company’s license was renewed months after his detainment.

Lawyers have advised that the closure of a company in the UAE by the state security is outside the law. Cancelling a business license must be done through the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Labour or through a judicial ruling.

This recent reaction by the UAE is clearly retaliation to the humanitarian campaign that Marwa Alaradi has been running in Canada and internationally. Her recent visit to the EU has created substantial awareness and concern. A combination of Canadian, US, EU, UN and Libyan pressure has caused enough frustration causing more arbitrary actions by the UAE State Security without any accountability.

As a family we are committed to persist until Salim Alaradi, a Canadian citizen, come home safely. Our campaign has no intention of hurting the reputation of the UAE, its rulers or the good people.

“For me this news was scary. It meant that everything the UAE State Security has done to my father was not enough and now they want to hurt our family even more. But the good news is that I know my message is loud and clear,” says Marwa Alaradi, Salim’s eldest daughter.

A statement has been issued by the The Libyan Association for Victims of Torture and Enforced Disappearance in the UAE and can be found here https://freesalimalaradi.com/2015/11/01/the-united-arab-emirates-has-arbitrarily-shutdown-companies-owned-by-libyans-businessmen-currently-detained-and-released/.

 

Human Rights Organization Reports:

HRW Report - October 13, 2014

Amnesty Urgent Action – April 17 2015

Amnesty Urgent Action – September 24, 2014

HRW Report – October 5, 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.

Amnesty International has issued two Urgent Actions and Human Rights Watch has also issued a report. They have defined the arrests as enforced disappearance and the detainments as incommunicado.

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.

The UAE is in violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The detainees have been denied reasonable communication with their family members.

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 information contact the Alaradi family at [email protected]

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

The United Arab Emirates has Arbitrarily Shutdown Companies Owned by Libyans Businessmen Currently Detained and Released

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The Libyan Association for Victims of Torture and Enforced Disappearance in the UAE

Statement #2

Re: The United Arab Emirates has Arbitrarily Shutdown Companies Owned by Libyans Businessmen Currently Detained and Released

In addition to the physical and psychological damage and the heavy financial losses incurred by the detained and released Libyan businessmen, the United Arab Emirates has taken new arbitrary actions and are persistent to cause more harm. On Tuesday October 27th 2015, the UAE has notified the companies, owned by these businessmen, with the immediate closure within a two day window.  This is a shock to these business owners that the UAE has enforced closure of their companies through means outside of the law, based on a decision of the UAE state security without any judicial ruling or legal procedure. This is an alarming indication that suggests that the UAE State Security is interfering with UAE business community.

We have no doubt that this reaction stems from authorities who wish to hide the truth of the injustice and persecution taking place in the darkness of the secret prisons against the Libyan businessmen.

Is it comprehendible that the Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Labour would cancel business licenses through arbitrary procedures outside of the law, based on state security decisions, and without any judicial ruling?

These companies have been operating according to the law, have no record of any illegal practices, their licenses are still active and have not exceeded their expiry date.

To date we have no idea what these authorities are seeking to hide?

Are they upset from the human rights campaign that has taken place to expose the violations that have been committed against these Libyan businessmen?

Is the truth painful to this degree?

We express our shock and disappointment from the actions taken, that are in violation of the UAE constitution and domestic laws, and do not serve the economic growth of the UAE or its efforts to build a safe haven for investment. We would like to affirm the following:

  • We have taken upon ourselves, from day 1, that the campaigns run by the families of the detainees are humanitarian and are not intended to harm the UAE, nor its rulers, nor its hospitable people, and not to allow for the politicization or exploitation of any party. This is something we remain committed to it.
  • We are committed to a peaceful, civil and legal human rights mandate in order to achieve all of our just demands fairly for the Libyan businessmen who have been subjected to enforced disappearance and torture in the UAE. Many of them remain arbitrarily detained outside any legal framework.
  • We request form the respected people of the UAE to urgently resolve the matter of the Libyan businessmen who were kidnapped and tortured unlawfully in violation of the Constitution and UAE law, not to mention the international laws, and immediately release them.
  • We request the fair treatment of the Libyan businessmen still detained, and those released, and compensation for the damages suffered - physical, psychological, and financial.

We hope that the UAE authorities will prevent these injustices from continuing and close the secret prisons indefinitely which are hurting the UAE.  We hope the UAE expedites its human rights reforms which have significantly deteriorated.

No matter the unjust actions taken against those detained, the Libyan people and international human rights organizations will stand up for our fair and just case and will not stop demanding the release of these innocent men and their fair treatment. Enforced disappearance, kidnapping and torture are unacceptable. We will not be silence about the rights of these victims.

The Libyan Association for Victims of Torture and Enforced Disappearance in the UAE

Press Release - Canadian Salim ALARADI’s Family Issues a Legal Response to his Continued Arbitrary Detainment

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Free Salim ALARADI Campaign

Press Release –October 29th, 2015

 

Canadian Salim ALARADI’s Family Issues a Legal Response to his Continued Arbitrary Detainment

Canadian Citizen Detained in UAE for 428 Days

Salim ALARADI’s family has consulted international human rights lawyers, some with expertise in UAE law, in Canada, London, Geneva, and Libya. Based on independent assessments of ALARADI’s situation, the family has released a legal response to the conditions he continues to be subjected to.

The response highlights ultimately that the UAE is in an unresolvable legal predicament; after kidnapping a Canadian without an arrest warrant, subjecting him to enforced disappearance in an unknown location incommunicado, denying him his consular rights and restricting the Canadian authorities from gaining access to him, subjecting him to grave crimes of torture, denying him legal representation, not promptly bringing him before a judge in a public and fair trial, and never offering him the nature of the accusations let alone charges.

ALARADI’s detainment was orchestrated outside of the law by the UAE state security which is operating independently without legal, judicial or international considerations.  The procedures from the day of the kidnapping have been arbitrary and as such all subsequent actions and any future actions taken against ALARADI are arbitrary and unlawful. Lawyers have confirmed that ALARADI has not committed any crime.

The legal response confirms that all actions taken against ALARADI are a violation of both UAE domestic law and international laws of which the UAE is a party to.

The legal response can be found on the campaign website by clicking here.

 

Human Rights Organization Reports:

HRW Report - October 13, 2014

Amnesty Urgent Action – April 17 2015

Amnesty Urgent Action – September 24, 2014

HRW Report – October 5, 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.

Amnesty International has issued two Urgent Actions and Human Rights Watch has also issued a report. They have defined the arrests as enforced disappearance and the detainments as incommunicado.

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.

The UAE is in violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The detainees have been denied reasonable communication with their family members.

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 information contact the ALARADI family at [email protected]

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