Canada Must Not Succumb to Unlawful Arbitrary Detention of Citizens
August 11th, 2021
The use of arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations remains a crime under international law.
Justice For All Canada expresses strong concern over this week’s unlawful sentences of Robert Schellenberg and Michael Spavor by the Chinese regime. It is clear that Schellenberg and Spavor, both Canadian foreign nationals, have been arbitrarily detained as “bargaining chips” in international relations.
“Governments should avoid resorting to such dangerous tactics, because it increases risk to global citizens who work, travel and live abroad.” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
“At this time, we have no assurance that Spavor or Schellenberg were granted due process or equal access to fair legal representation,” Ghayyur pointed out.
Justice For All Canada upholds Foreign Minister Marc Garneau’s pledge to seek international support from allies to resolve this matter. So far, the United States government has been a leader in recognizing China’s genocide and repression of Uighur Muslim minorities in East Turkestan (Xinjiang).
The Chinese Communist government has bred an intolerant atmosphere of nationalism and hostile relations with Western leaders.
In recent years, the increased arbitrary detention of foreigners has instilled fear in academics, NGO workers, and media professionals from travelling to the region. This is paralleled by countries deporting Uighur nationals and asylum-seekers on China’s behalf. Huseyin Celil is an Uighur Canadian who was arrested in Uzbekistan and extradited to China against the objections of the Canadian government. Celil was sentenced to life in prison in 2006. Michael Kovrig is also a Canadian diplomat and employee of a pro-peace think tank; he was detained in China in 2018.
As human rights defenders, we regret that foreign nationals like Spavor and Schellenberg have become victims and targets caught in diplomatic issues between China and Western governments. Justice For All Canada echoes sentiments from Margaret McCuaig of the Canada China Forum: the Federal Government must insist on the immediate deportation of Canadians arbitrarily detained by the Chinese Government.
Canada must also implement its recently-launched Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations. As guided by international law and the UN Charter, there is a critical need for greater global response to the growing practice of arbitrary detention of foreign nations for retribution or compelling action over foreign governments.
The use of arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations remains a crime under international law.
Justice For All Canada expresses strong concern over this week’s unlawful sentences of Robert Schellenberg and Michael Spavor by the Chinese regime. It is clear that Schellenberg and Spavor, both Canadian foreign nationals, have been arbitrarily detained as “bargaining chips” in international relations.
“Governments should avoid resorting to such dangerous tactics, because it increases risk to global citizens who work, travel and live abroad.” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
“At this time, we have no assurance that Spavor or Schellenberg were granted due process or equal access to fair legal representation,” Ghayyur pointed out.
Justice For All Canada upholds Foreign Minister Marc Garneau’s pledge to seek international support from allies to resolve this matter. So far, the United States government has been a leader in recognizing China’s genocide and repression of Uighur Muslim minorities in East Turkestan (Xinjiang).
The Chinese Communist government has bred an intolerant atmosphere of nationalism and hostile relations with Western leaders.
In recent years, the increased arbitrary detention of foreigners has instilled fear in academics, NGO workers, and media professionals from travelling to the region. This is paralleled by countries deporting Uighur nationals and asylum-seekers on China’s behalf. Huseyin Celil is an Uighur Canadian who was arrested in Uzbekistan and extradited to China against the objections of the Canadian government. Celil was sentenced to life in prison in 2006. Michael Kovrig is also a Canadian diplomat and employee of a pro-peace think tank; he was detained in China in 2018.
As human rights defenders, we regret that foreign nationals like Spavor and Schellenberg have become victims and targets caught in diplomatic issues between China and Western governments. Justice For All Canada echoes sentiments from Margaret McCuaig of the Canada China Forum: the Federal Government must insist on the immediate deportation of Canadians arbitrarily detained by the Chinese Government.
Canada must also implement its recently-launched Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations. As guided by international law and the UN Charter, there is a critical need for greater global response to the growing practice of arbitrary detention of foreign nations for retribution or compelling action over foreign governments.