A statement from Western president Amit Chakma regarding the detention of Dr. Tarek Loubani:
Recent news reports that Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Tarek Loubani has begun a hunger strike in protest to his detainment by the Egyptian government has heightened concern for the well-being of our academic colleague.
Together with York University professor John Greyson, Dr. Loubani has been held under arrest in Egypt without formal charges against him since Aug. 16.
Dr. Loubani has a history of participating in voluntary humanitarian medical treatment and training abroad, which is in keeping with Schulich’s commitment to providing medical outreach that aims to improve medical care around the world. His detainment took place while he was en route to check-in on an emergency medicine clinic at a hospital in Gaza.
Given these circumstances, my office has written letters to the Egyptian embassy to add Western’s voice to others across the country and around the world urging Egyptian authorities for the immediate release of professors Loubani and Greyson. My office also continues to liaise with our local Members of Parliament as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs to encourage and thank them for their continuing efforts to advocate for the safe and timely release of our academic colleagues.