Libby urges PM Harper to pressure Syria for Dorothy Parvaz’s release
Libby urges PM Harper to pressure Syria for Dorothy Parvaz’s release
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
May 4, 2011
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
I am writing you with my concerns about the detainment of Canadian journalist Dorothy Parvaz, who has been held by Syrian government since her arrival in the country on April 28, 2011. Ms. Parvaz was travelling to Syria as a part of her work with the television channel Al-Jazeera, and is being held without reason by the Syrian government. I am concerned about her welfare and safety at this time and I’ve heard from many constituents who share this same concern.
I believe that the Canadian government has a responsibility to protect its citizens working abroad, and I am concerned about your government’s lack of action on this matter. I urge you to use all necessary diplomatic resources to investigate her detainment and pressure the Syrian government to release her immediately; to see her returned safely to her family in Canada.
I look forward to your response on this matter.
Sincerely,
Libby Davies
MP, Vancouver East
Davies calls for electoral reform: Longtime MP bemoans Conservative majority – Libby Davies
Davies calls for electoral reform: Longtime MP bemoans Conservative majority
Davies said she was honoured to be Vancouver East’s MP and proud of NDP leader Jack Layton’s successful campaign. “Who can believe it? We are the official opposition,” she said during her victory speech. “And who can believe what’s happened in Quebec? It’s incredible. Change is taking place. I think it is about new politics. Canadians are so sick and tired of the scandals and the games and the insider stuff. They wanted a leader they could trust. They wanted a leader that they know will follow through on commitments and hold the Conservatives to account. I can commit to you today that we will be the best official opposition that you’ve every seen in this country.” Davies added that the election results highlight “more than ever” that the electoral system needs to change to better reflect the will of voters.
The original article, Davies calls for electoral reform: Longtime MP bemoans Conservative majority was published on May 4, 2011 in The Vancouver Courier. Author(s): Naoibh O’Connor
Libby urges PM Harper to pressure Syria for Dorothy Parvaz's release
Libby urges PM Harper to pressure Syria for Dorothy Parvaz's release
Extraditing Canadians for US Laws
Extraditing Canadians for US Laws
Ms Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): – The federal NDP opposes the extradition of Marc Emery, Gregory Keith Williams and Michelle Rainey-Fenkarek to the United States. We believe it is wrong to extradite people for an offence that would not – and in this case, did not – result in them being charged in Canada.
In the U.S. they face a minimum 10-year sentence which could be raised to a life sentence. The federal NDP believes we should not be sending individuals to face harsh punishment in another country when we have agreed as a society their actions are not worthy of prosecution here in Canada.
This case once again points to the confusing and contradictory nature of the federal Liberal government’s marijuana laws. We should recognize that the arrests of these Canadian citizens is more related to political pressure on Canada to cooperate with the U.S. war on drugs than on any harm that has been created by the actions of these individuals.
I will continue to urge Justice Minister Irwin Cotler to consider Canadian justice in his decision on this case and not be swayed by the laws and practices of the U.S.