makhtal.org

The relatives of Bashir Makhtal have asked for meetings with the leaders 
of all the opposition parties so as to gather support in parliament for 
a resolution barring all official development aid to Ethiopia as long as 
Bashir Makhtal languishes in prison. “I believe that Canadians would not 
support sending aid to a regime that is violating the human rights of a 
Canadian citizen” said Said Maktal the first cousin of Bashir. “We will 
be asking the leaders of the opposition parties to support our call for 
a complete suspension of all development aid to Ethiopia until Bashir is 
allowed to return to Canada” Said noted.

 Members of the Somolian community in Ottawa are planning a demonstration 
on August 17, 2009 in support of Bashir. They will commence their action 
in front of the Ethiopian Embassy where they will demand that all 
Canadian official development aid be ended until Bashir is released. 
They will then march to Prime Minister Harper’s office where they will 
call on the Prime Minister to intervene personally on behalf of Bashir. 
“ While we appreciate the support we have received from John Baird, we 
believe that it is important that the Prime Minister get directly 
involved in the case” commented Said Maktal.

 Bashir Makhtal is a Canadian citizen. He was taken illegally from Kenya 
to Ethiopi a in January of 2007. He was held for over one year 
incommunicado and was denied access to a lawyer and to officials. He was 
subjected to a trial that was according to all observers was not fair. 
He was sentenced to life in prison. John Baird, the Canadian Minister of 
Transport has intervened with the Ethiopian officials and has promised 
to do everything possible to bring Bashir home as soon as possible