Fahmy recommends families take proactive approach to free detained loved ones

A Canadian journalist who spent almost two years jailed in Egypt says the families of two people detained in the Middle East can’t rely solely on the government to win their freedom.

Mohamed Fahmy, a former Al−Jazeera journalist, was released last year after receiving a pardon from Egypt’s president.

Fahmy, who was speaking at a human rights conference in Calgary, says government assistance is key in freeing a Calgary imam detained in Turkey and a Montreal professor arrested in Iran.

But he adds that it’s essential their families work with NGOs, human rights groups and the media to give the two a human face and garner international attention.

Imam Davud Hanci was arrested in Turkey last month for allegedly helping orchestrate a coup attempt, while university Prof. Homa Hoodfar was arrested in Iran earlier this year and has been indicted on unknown charges.Homa Hoodfar was arrested in Iran earlier this year and has been indicted on unknown charges.

Fahmy says he has proposed a new protection charter that would increase Canada’s intervention and support for citizens and journalists detained or imprisoned abroad.

He also wants the government to be more transparent about what actions it takes to help citizens who are in trouble overseas.