Canada has confirmed that four of its citizens were executed in China earlier this year on drug-related charges, escalating tensions between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, who had been monitoring the cases for months, revealed that efforts to secure clemency supported by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ultimately failed.
The executed individuals were dual citizens, though China, which does not recognize dual nationality, insists that “solid and sufficient” evidence supported their sentencing. A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Canada dismissed criticism, urging Ottawa to respect Beijing’s “judicial sovereignty” and cease “irresponsible remarks.”
China maintains some of the strictest drug laws in the world, routinely sentencing individuals to death for narcotics-related offenses. While execution numbers remain undisclosed, rights organizations believe China has one of the highest execution rates globally. However, the execution of foreign nationals remains rare, making this case particularly significant.
Amnesty International Canada condemned the executions, with Secretary General Ketty Nivyabandi calling them “shocking and inhumane.” She urged the Canadian government to take stronger action to prevent further deaths of its citizens held in China’s prison system.
The incident has reignited diplomatic tensions, which have been fraught since 2018 when Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States. In response, China detained two Canadian nationals, escalating the standoff between the two nations.
Canada’s government has vowed to continue fighting for other citizens facing the death penalty in China, but with relations at an all-time low—exacerbated by allegations of Chinese election interference—the path forward remains uncertain.
