In a move that has further strained diplomatic ties between China and Canada, four Canadian citizens have been executed in China for drug-related offenses. The Canadian government confirmed the executions and strongly condemned Beijing's actions, calling them a "severe violation of human rights."
Canada’s Response
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly expressed deep disappointment and outrage over the executions, stating that Canada had repeatedly appealed for clemency but was ignored. She reiterated Canada’s opposition to the death penalty, emphasizing that this action would have long-term repercussions on diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also addressed the matter, calling the executions "unjust and unacceptable." The Canadian government is now reviewing its diplomatic strategy regarding China and exploring measures to pressure Beijing on human rights issues.
China’s Justification
China, which maintains one of the world’s strictest anti-drug policies, defended the executions, stating that its laws apply to all individuals equally, regardless of nationality. Chinese authorities also reaffirmed their stance that drug trafficking carries the death penalty, and they do not make exceptions based on diplomatic relations.
Moreover, China does not recognize dual citizenship, which means that individuals holding both Canadian and Chinese passports were treated strictly as Chinese citizens under Chinese law.
Rising Diplomatic Tensions
This latest development comes amid ongoing tensions between the two countries, which have faced rocky diplomatic relations in recent years. The most notable conflict arose after the 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Canada, which led to China’s detainment of two Canadians—Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor—on espionage charges. Although both were released in 2021, relations between Ottawa and Beijing have remained fragile.
International Condemnation and Human Rights Concerns
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have strongly condemned China’s actions, labeling them as "barbaric and inhumane." Many advocacy groups have long criticized China’s use of the death penalty, calling for greater international pressure to abolish it.
Canadian officials are now urging their allies, including the United States and the European Union, to join in diplomatic efforts to hold China accountable for human rights violations.
The Future of Canada-China Relations
With another Canadian citizen, Robert Schellenberg, still on death row in China, the latest executions signal a worsening diplomatic crisis between the two nations. Canada has vowed to continue fighting for the rights of its citizens abroad while reevaluating its broader relationship with Beijing.
This case underscores the broader geopolitical divide between Western democracies and China, as well as the ongoing debate over capital punishment and international human rights.