Canada slams China for executing its nationals over drug offenses

International

CANADA has strongly condemned China’s execution of four individuals with Canadian citizenship, all convicted of drug-related offenses.

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed the executions on March 19, stating that Canada had persistently appealed for clemency and opposed the death penalty in all cases.

The identities of those executed have not been disclosed out of respect for their families.

Joly reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advocating for its citizens facing similar legal issues abroad.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa responded by defending its judicial system, emphasizing that China has a strict stance on drug-related crimes and follows its legal procedures. However, it did not directly confirm the executions.

In a BBC report, the international concerns over the case, with human rights organizations describing the executions as "deeply troubling."

Amnesty International Canada also condemned the use of capital punishment and called for increased global pressure on China’s judicial policies.

Relations between Canada and China have been tense since 2018, when Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver at the request of the United States.

In response, China detained two Canadian nationals, who were released in 2021.

More recently, economic tensions have risen, with China imposing tariffs on over US$2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products following Ottawa’s 2024 tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum.(MyTVCebu)