All eyes had been on Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor on Saturday as the 2 returned residence following practically three years spent in obvious arbitrary detention in China.
Heartwarming photographs and video surfaced of the 2 reuniting with their households. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday referred to as their homecoming “excellent news for all of us,” noting that they’d each gone by an “unbelievably troublesome ordeal.”
However as of Sunday not less than 115 Canadians stay in custody in Chinese language prisons, International Affairs Canada mentioned in an emailed assertion to International Information. Not all Canadians imprisoned in China are in arbitrary detainment, however the company mentioned not less than 4 of these jailed are on demise row.
Learn extra:
‘Two Michaels’ welcomed residence by mates, household after years in Chinese language detention
“Canada opposes the demise penalty in all circumstances, in all places,” International Affairs Canada mentioned.
“We’ve got raised our agency opposition to the demise penalty with China and proceed to name on China to grant clemency for all Canadians sentenced to demise.”
The company mentioned it opinions every detention on a case-by-case foundation, as consular officers usually require a “tailor-made strategy” that may adapt to completely different native contexts and circumstances.
Right here’s a have a look at the 4 Canadians presently on demise row.
Robert Schellenberg
Of these sentenced to demise, the newest is Canadian Robert Schellenberg of Abbotsford, British Columbia. The Liaoning Excessive Courtroom upheld his demise sentence on Aug. 10 following an attraction revamped the summer season.
Schellenberg was detained on drug fees in China in 2014 and was formally charged with drug smuggling in January 2015. Initially, a Chinese language court docket had sentenced him to fifteen years in jail. However 4 years later, his verdict was overturned following a retrial and he was sentenced to demise.
Canadian Overseas Affairs Minister Marc Garneau mentioned in August that Canada “strongly” condemned the court docket’s choice to uphold the demise penalty for Schellenberg.
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Chinese language court docket upholds demise sentence for Robert Schellenberg in drug smuggling case
“We’ve got repeatedly expressed to China our agency opposition to this merciless and inhumane punishment and can proceed to interact with Chinese language officers on the highest ranges to grant clemency to Mr. Schellenberg,” he mentioned, shortly after the ruling was delivered.
“We oppose the demise penalty in all circumstances, and condemn the arbitrary nature of Mr. Schellenberg’s sentence.”
In an emailed assertion to International Information, International Affairs Canada reiterated that the federal authorities stays “strongly opposed” to the choice to arbitrarily impose and uphold the demise penalty for Schellenberg.
The company added it “will proceed to interact with Chinese language officers on the highest ranges to hunt clemency for Mr. Schellenberg.”
Xu Weihong
Canadian Xu Weihong was sentenced to demise by the Guangzhou Municipal Intermediate Courtroom over drug manufacturing fees on Aug. 6, 2020. In addition they handed down a life sentence to Wen Guanxiong, whom they declare helped Xu make ketamine.
Chinese language international ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin justified Xu’s demise sentence throughout a briefing final 12 months, saying that demise penalties would assist “deter and forestall” related crimes sooner or later.
“I wish to stress that China’s judicial authorities deal with the related case independently in strict accordance with Chinese language regulation and authorized procedures,” Wang had mentioned.
He added that “this case shouldn’t inflict any impression on China-Canada relations.”
Ye Jianhui
Ye Jianhui is the fourth Canadian to obtain the demise penalty in China.
His sentence was handed down in August of final 12 months over fees to fabricate and transport medication by the Foshan Municipal Intermediate Courtroom, simply sooner or later after Xu’s.
Ye and co-defendant Lu Hanchang conspired with others to fabricate and transport medication between Might 2015 and January 2016, the Related Press reported final 12 months.
Requested final 12 months if the sentencing of the Canadian drug offenders was linked to Meng’s case, Wang mentioned China’s judicial organs “deal with circumstances independently,” whereas additionally including that “the Canadian facet is aware of the basis trigger” of difficulties in China-Canadian relations.
Learn extra:
China sentences one other Canadian to demise over drug fees
Fan Wei
Fan Wei was given the demise penalty on April 30, 2019 together with 11 others over his involvement in a world methamphetamine operation.
Chatting with International Information the day of his sentencing, International Affairs Canada mentioned officers attended the sentencing and studying of the decision. They referred to as on China to grant clemency, including the choice to use the “merciless and inhumane” demise penalty to Fan’s case was of “excessive concern” to their authorities.
“Acquiring clemency for Xu Weihong, Ye Jianhui and Fan Wei can be of major significance given China’s choice to impose the demise penalty in these circumstances,” International Affairs Canada mentioned, in an emailed assertion to International Information on Sunday.
“Canada will proceed to supply consular providers to Robert Schellenberg, Xu Weihong, Ye Jianhui and Fan Wei, in addition to to their households.”
— With information from International Information’ Saba Aziz and Aaron D’Andrea, in addition to the Canadian Press, Related Press and Reuters.
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