Canada Condemns Executions of Four Nationals in China
According to Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, China has executed four Canadians due to drug-related offenses, a situation that may further strain the already fraught relationship between the two countries.
Government Response
Mélanie Joly expressed her strong condemnation of the executions and stated that the Canadian government would continue to advocate for clemency for other Canadians facing similar legal issues. “We will maintain our engagement with China while strongly condemning these actions and seeking leniency for others,” she remarked.
Execution Details
The Globe and Mail first reported the executions, revealing that they took place earlier in the year based on information from Canada’s Department of Global Affairs. Joly mentioned that she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had sought clemency from Beijing in recent months for these individuals, who held dual citizenship with Canada and China, although China does not recognize dual nationality.
Human Rights Concerns
John Kamm, founder of the Dui Hua Foundation, stated that he was advocating for the four individuals but couldn’t disclose their identities for privacy reasons. Kamm indicated that their cases were unique due to the rapid executions of foreigners within a condensed timeframe. The four were men whose cases were processed in Guangdong province and had been under judicial review for two years before the executions.
Strained Bilateral Relations
Canada-China relations have worsened since 2018, following the imprisonment of Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig after Canada detained Meng Wanzhou, a Huawei executive, under U.S. requests. This incident was perceived in Canada as an act of hostage diplomacy. Both Spavor and Kovrig were released in 2021 after Meng returned to China.
Increased Tensions and Concerns
In recent years, there has been growing criticism from Canadian leaders, including Trudeau, regarding human rights violations in China. Allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections have further added to the tension. Joly described China as an “increasingly disruptive global power” and advised potential business partners to be cautious.
Chinese Government’s Stance
The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa defended its strict drug laws but did not provide information about the executed Canadians. They stated that the cases were handled legally, maintaining that evidence against the individuals was solid. The embassy urged Canada to respect China’s judicial sovereignty and refrain from making “irresponsible remarks.”
Additionally, another Canadian, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, faces the death penalty in China for drug trafficking. After initially receiving a 15-year sentence, Schellenberg was given the death penalty in a hastily conducted retrial shortly after Meng’s arrest, indicating the precarious situation for foreigners in the Chinese legal system.
