Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has strongly condemned the execution of four Canadian citizens by China, after Beijing carried out the executions in recent months.
The individuals were reportedly executed for drug-related crimes, an offence which in China often attracts severe penalties.
Joly confirmed that she, along with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had personally requested clemency for the Canadians involved.
“We strongly condemn the executions,” Joly told reporters in Ottawa.
She added that the families of the four Canadians have asked the government to withhold details regarding their identities to protect their privacy during this difficult time.
The Chinese embassy in Ottawa responded by stating that the executions were carried out due to drug crimes, noting that China does not recognise dual citizenship.
The embassy also emphasised that the evidence against the Canadians was "solid and sufficient," further asserting that China enforces severe penalties for drug-related offences.
The issue comes amid a period of heightened tensions between Canada and China.
The two countries have had strained relations since 2018, when Canadian authorities arrested Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei's founder, on a US extradition request.
In retaliation, China detained two Canadians, who were released in 2021 after a deal between the US and China. Recently, trade relations have worsened, with China imposing retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports in response to Canada’s tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and steel.
Amnesty International also condemned the executions, calling them “shocking and inhumane” and highlighting the broader issue of China’s ongoing use of the death penalty.
Amnesty’s head for English-speaking Canada, Ketty Nivyabandi, stated that the executions “should be a wake-up call for Canada” regarding the nature of China's justice system.
Joly affirmed that Canada would continue to advocate for clemency for Canadians facing the death penalty abroad, including Robert Schellenberg, who is currently sentenced to death for drug smuggling in China.
However, the diplomatic strain appears to be deepening, with opposition Conservative lawmakers in Canada criticising China’s actions. Michael Chong, a Conservative MP, labelled the executions as “unprecedented” and a clear indication that Beijing is not seeking to improve relations with Canada.
The Chinese government has continued to face international criticism for its human rights record, particularly for its high rate of executions, which are believed to outpace any other country. However, the exact number of executions remains a closely guarded state secret.
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