Four Canadians, identified as dual nationals, were executed in China earlier this year for drug-related violations, a situation confirmed by Canada's foreign minister, Mélanie Joly. The identities of the individuals have not been disclosed. A spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Canada urged Ottawa to refrain from making “irresponsible remarks,” amid growing fears of further diplomatic decline between the two nations after protracted tensions.
In a statement, China's foreign ministry defended the executions, asserting they were carried out "in accordance with the law" and emphasizing the availability of "solid and sufficient" evidence against the condemned. The embassy also insisted that China's judicial sovereignty should be respected.
China does not acknowledge dual citizenship and maintains a stringent policy towards drug offenses, often imposing the death penalty. However, it is unusual for such sentences to be executed on foreign nationals. Joly stated that she actively sought to intervene in these cases and had involved former prime minister Justin Trudeau in plea efforts for clemency.
Global Affairs Canada reiterated its opposition to the death penalty, adding that it continually called for leniency for the individuals involved. Human rights groups have criticized the executions, with Ketty Nivyabandi from Amnesty International Canada describing them as "shocking and inhumane," urging the Canadian government to reconsider its diplomatic approach towards China.
The diplomatic relationship between Canada and China has been fraught since Canada’s 2018 arrest of Chinese telecom executive Meng Wanzhou, which subsequently led to the detention of two Canadian citizens, who have since been released. Recent reports alleging Chinese interference in Canadian federal elections and retaliatory tariffs from China on Canadian imports have further intensified the already delicate situation between the nations.
