Canadian authorities have confirmed that four Canadians were executed in China earlier this year on drug-related charges.
According to Canada’s foreign minister, Mélanie Joly, all individuals involved held dual citizenship, and their identities have been kept confidential.
A representative from the Chinese embassy in Canada has reportedly called on Ottawa to “stop making irresponsible remarks,” amid concerns from analysts about a potential further decline in relations between the two nations following years of tension.
On Thursday, China’s foreign ministry asserted that its actions were taken “by the law.” Meanwhile, the embassy claimed “solid and sufficient” evidence to support the crime allegations.
The embassy stated that Beijing had “fully guaranteed the rights and interests of the Canadian nationals concerned” while calling Canada to acknowledge “China’s judicial sovereignty.”
China maintains a strict policy against dual citizenship and enforces stringent measures regarding drug-related offences. It is uncommon for the death penalty to be imposed on individuals from other countries.
Joly stated that she had been monitoring the cases “very closely” for several months and had made efforts alongside other officials, including former prime minister Justin Trudeau, to intervene and halt the executions.
In a recent statement to Canadian media, Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod emphasised that Canada has consistently advocated for clemency for these individuals at the highest levels and maintains a firm stance against the use of the death penalty in all circumstances globally.
China has enacted the death penalty for a range of serious offences, encompassing crimes associated with drugs, corruption, and espionage. Although the exact number of executions remains undisclosed, human rights organisations assert that China likely possesses one of the highest execution rates globally.
“The recent executions of Canadian citizens by Chinese authorities are a disturbing development that demands urgent attention from Canada,” stated Ketty Nivyabandi of Amnesty International Canada. “The families of the victims are in our thoughts during this challenging time as they navigate the profound loss they have experienced.”
“We extend our sympathies to the families of Canadian citizens currently held on death row in China, as well as those whose locations within the Chinese prison system remain uncertain.”
In 2019, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, a Canadian national, received a death sentence in China for drug smuggling, a case that drew significant condemnation from the Canadian government. He was not one of the Canadians who faced execution.
On Wednesday, Joly stated, “We will persist in our strong condemnation while also advocating for leniency for other Canadians encountering similar circumstances.”
Since 2018, the relationship between Canada and China has been tense following the detention of Chinese telecom executive Meng Wanzhou in response to a US extradition request. Shortly after the incident, China detained two Canadians, who have since been released.
In 2023, reports emerged from Canadian media, primarily grounded in leaked intelligence, detailing allegations of Chinese interference in the nation’s federal elections. China has refuted the allegations, labelling them as “baseless and defamatory”.
In a recent development, China has implemented retaliatory tariffs on select Canadian agricultural and food imports following Ottawa’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminium.
