We, the undersigned, demand an immediate and formal apology for the unwarranted arrest and detention of Kurdish folk singer and national icon, Sivan Perwer, and his film crew by OPP on Sunday, August 16, 2009.

On Sunday, August 16, 2009, a section of Highway 427 near Niagara Falls was closed in what can only be described as a high-stakes take-down operation by Canadian OPP. The target of this operation was none other than Sivan Perwer, renowned Kurdish folk singer, poet and self-determination activist and his three-man film crew, who were in the area shooting footage for an upcoming television broadcast. At the time of the arrest, the men were en route to a scheduled musical performance at the Toronto Kurdish Community Center.

The entire maneuver was spawned by an alleged anonymous tip that a weapon had been seen in Mr. Perwers black Hummer. Upon realization that the weapon in question was actually part of the camera equipment being used, OPP released Sivan and his crew. However, a formal apology on the part of OPP has yet to be issued for this unnecessary degradation and humiliation, not only of Sivan Perwer, but of the Kurdish people themselves. Furthermore, we strongly believe that such a dramatic and public violation of the honor and dignity of Mr. Perwer and the Kurds warrants an apology from the highest possible figure in the Canadian government, PM Stephen Harper.

The Canadian Kurds have long been allies and productive members of Canadian society, greatly enriching the cultural diversity the country so rightly prides itself on. We seek to continue to build those friendships and ties with our Canadian friends, not only through mutual contribution, but through fair and just resolution of grievances.

Our right and our demand is for our national honor and dignity to be restored. In order to accomplish this, an apology must be issued directly by PM Stephen Harper to both Sivan Perwer and the Kurdish nation.