I want to express my deepest concern to learn that John Greyson, an associate professor at York University, and Tarek Loubani, an emergency medicine physician and professor from London, Ontario, continue to remain in custody in Cairo, Egypt.
Greyson and Loubani have been held in Cairo without charges since August 16, 2013, and according to a statement issued by Minister of State Lynne Yelich, will remain in custody.
Their continued detainment and the absence of specific charges against them raises serious human rights concerns. According to recent news reports, the two men have begun a hunger strike in protest.
I know that I join with the entire UBC community in offering my concern for the well being of our academic colleagues and calling upon Egyptian authorities to expedite their inquiry and to release the two men without further delay.
Stephen J. Toope
President and Vice-Chancellor