Canada Strongly Condemns China for Executing Four Citizens on Drug Charges
Canada condemned China’s execution of four Canadian citizens for drug smuggling, asserting a strong stance against the death penalty. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly revealed that Ottawa would seek leniency for other Canadians at risk, while the ongoing diplomatic tensions continue to affect bilateral relations amid economic disputes.
On Wednesday, Canada condemned the execution of four Canadian citizens in China, who were convicted of drug smuggling charges earlier this year. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed that all four individuals were dual citizens and emphasized that Ottawa would advocate for lenience for other Canadians who may face similar sentences. “There are four Canadians that have been executed and therefore we are strongly condemning what happened,” she stated, reiterating that the convictions were related to drug offenses.
Additionally, the Canadian Foreign Ministry clarified that Robert Schellenberg, sentenced to death for drug smuggling in 2019, has not been executed. Relations between Canada and China have soured since 2018, following the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer, in Vancouver, which led to the detention of two Canadians in China as a retaliatory measure. Both Meng and the Canadian detainees were released in 2021.
In a recent development, China imposed tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products worth over $2.6 billion as a response to tariffs imposed by Ottawa on Chinese electric vehicles and steel. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa responded to Canada’s statements by labeling them irresponsible, asserting, “China always imposed severe penalties on drug-related crimes and maintains a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude towards the drug problem,” while refraining from confirming the execution of Canadian nationals.
The Canadian government has expressed strong condemnation of China’s execution of four dual citizens convicted of drug smuggling, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two nations. Despite China’s strict stance on drug-related crimes, Canada continues to advocate for the rights of its citizens facing severe penalties abroad. The complicated history between the two countries remains a significant factor in their diplomatic relations, especially following recent economic retaliations and previous high-profile detentions.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
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