9 February 2011

The Honorable Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Fax: 613-992-6802

Dear Minister:

I wish to bring to your attention the urgent case of Mr. Musa Sayed. Reports indicate that he is to be executed within a few days on charges of apostasy because of his conversion to Christianity some eight years ago. Mr. Sayed is an Afghani amputee who is currently in prison. He has worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross for some 15 years, and has specialized in fitting children with prostheses. He is a married man and the father of six young children.

We urge the Government of Canada to express its condemnation of this religious persecution, and to intervene with the Government of Afghanistan for mercy and clemency for Mr. Sayed.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,

+ Brendan M. O’Brien
Archbishop of Kingston
Chairman of the Human Rights Committee
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

CC His Excellency Mr. Jawed Ludin, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada