Yasser's Daughter, Amal Albaz, Reads an Open Letter to the PM in front of his office in Ottawa on June 17, 2020, where…
Posted by Free Yasser Albaz on Friday, June 19, 2020
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister, 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
June 13, 2020
Dear Prime Minister,
It has been 481 days and quite simply, your government has failed my family and many Canadians who have emailed and called members of parliament across the country. It has been 16 months since my father, a loving husband, father, grandfather, an a-political businessman, and a proud Canadian citizen, has been unjustly detained in Egypt and your government has not done enough to bring him home. We can no longer be patient, Prime Minister Trudeau. We can no longer be patient because this is a matter of life and death for my dear father.
I had faith in our government. I trusted Members of Parliament when they told me his case was a top priority to Canada and that they will bring him home soon.
How can I believe that Canada has not been able to improve his horrific conditions, let alone secure his release since February 2019?
How can I remain silent while he is on the brink of death? How can I remain silent when other nations have been able to bring home their citizens in short weeks?
It just doesn’t add up.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, I have warned our government about the inevitable risk my father faces should COVID break out in Egyptian prisons that have poor hygienic conditions and almost non-existing medical care. That risk is now a reality.
He can die, Mr. Trudeau. He can die just as other prisoners have in his prison due to the inexplicable conditions and medical negligence.
My father is Canada’s responsibility. My father is your responsibility, Prime Minister Trudeau.
You have gone to great lengths providing relief for families amidst the pandemic, and repatriating Canadians all around the world. So what about my father? A Canadian who’s human rights have been violated on every count. A Canadian who’s done absolutely nothing wrong. It is on you, Mr. Trudeau. This Canadian’s life is on you.
I can’t even imagine that I may not hear my father’s voice again– that I may not see him again.
I am not calling for you to just call the President of Egypt. I am calling for you to bring a resolution to our ordeal and secure his release and safe return home for treatment in a Canadian hospital. I am calling on you to promise my family, my community and fellow Canadians that you are up to the responsibility.
We need you to give it your all. We need you to bring my father home.
A concerned daughter,
Amal Albaz