North Vancouver journalist detained in Syria
Posted May 4, 2011 9:25 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (NEWS1130) – An Al-Jazeera reporter from North Vancouver was first feared missing in Syria, but her family has now learned she’s been arrested in the country that’s gripped in violence.
Dorothy Parvaz’s fiance is now desperate to get her home.
Todd Barker says he learned Dorothy was detained through a press release, but has been told she’s safe. “We’re thankful for that disclosure but we need the Syrians to do more.”
He, her parents and siblings are now working with Foreign Affairs, the US Embassy in Syria and both the Syrian and Iranian governments in an effort to have her released.
“She’s a journalist. That’s very clear.”
Barker is fighting emotions, but he is trying to stay focused on bringing her home. “You know, somebody posts an old picture of Dorothy. I just see it on the ‘Free Dorothy Parvaz’ page and you’re caught in a very strange moment.”
At least 3,500 Facebook users are raising awareness.
Meanwhile, Vancouver East MP Libby Davies is calling on Stephen Harper to help free Dorothy Parvaz. In a letter, she tells the Prime Minister she’s worried the government isn’t doing enough to protect citizens abroad.
Dorothy grew up in North Vancouver and graduated from UBC. The last time her family spoke with her was Thursday.
