Members of the Canadian media and others joined an international day of action Thursday (February 27) to demand the release of several Al-Jazeera journalists, including Canadian Mohamed Fahmy, who are imprisoned in Cairo.
Since December 29, the three journalists: Canadian Mohamed Fahmy, Australian Peter Greste, and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, have been held in an Egyptian prison and will stand trial for allegedly “spreading false news” and “assisting a terrorist organization.”
There were protests around the world with the theme “Journalism is not a crime” and on Twitter with the hashtag #FreeAJstaff.
Seriously, how awesome is this… AJE Doha grinds to a halt, in solidarity with our jailed colleagues #FreeAJStaff pic.twitter.com/mNeaNeMC73
— Kamahl Santamaria (@KamahlAJE) February 27, 2014
In Canada, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) and Al Jazeera’s English staff held a demonstration in Toronto. In Montreal, a protest was arranged by Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME).
#FreeAJstaff. Colleagues in Toronto. Journalism is NOT a crime. pic.twitter.com/2BrUs7nPd4
— Robert Steiner (@munkjournalism) February 27, 2014
#FreeAJStaff #mtl #canada #montreal @CJPME pic.twitter.com/kldXYjYHl8
— Hiba Ganta (@hibafyi) February 27, 2014
As for Canadian government reaction to the imprisonment of Canadian Mohamed Fahmy, in response to a request for an interview by the CBC radio program The Current, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Jean-Bruno Villeneuve, sent a statement. which reads in part:
“Canadian officials are providing consular assistance to Mr. Fahmy and are in communication with his lawyer. A Department of Foreign Affairs representative was present during Mr. Fahmy’s court appearance as an observer. Senior Canadian officials have raised Mr. Fahmy’s case with their Egyptian counterparts, requesting a fair and expeditious trial.”
According to the international Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) “At least 60 journalists have been detained since President Mohamed Morsi was ousted in July. Egypt was the third deadliest country for journalists in 2013.”
More information:
Globe and Mail – Supporters around the world demand release of Egyptian-Canadian journalist – here
PostMedia News – Supporters demand release of Canadian journalist in Egypt – here
CBC/The Current – Al Jazeera fight for three journalists facing trial in Egypt – here
Committee to Protect Journalists – Egypt should #FreeAJStaff and other jailed journalists – here
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