Foreign ministers from 58 countries, including Canada, the United States, Britain, Japan and Australia, signed the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations on Monday (Feb. 15). Relations, which rejects the use of detention of foreign nationals by some countries as diplomatic leverage.
The initiative was launched by Canada. Marc Garneau, Canada’s foreign minister, said, “A quarter of countries from every continent have come together to tell those who are arbitrarily detained for their diplomatic interests that they are not alone. We stand with them. This illegal and immoral practice puts citizens of all nations at risk and undermines the rule of law. It is unacceptable and must stop.”
He added that the number of countries that supported the Declaration is a testament to the global importance of the initiative. “This is just the beginning. Now we must turn our attention to finding constructive ways to build and sustain this international momentum and end arbitrary detention.”
For his part, former Canadian Foreign Minister Shang Pengfei tweeted, “I am honored to join Foreign Minister Gano in launching a global initiative against arbitrary detention. This is the first of many steps needed to ensure an end to this illegal and unacceptable practice. Thank you all for your unwavering support!”
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken said, “I am honored to join Canada and more than 55 other countries in supporting the Declaration against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations. Human beings are not bargaining chips. The arrest of people for diplomatic gain must now stop.” He also said in a statement that “the United States wholeheartedly endorses this Declaration.”
The statement added that the U.S. “calls on all like-minded nations to work together to pressure countries that engage in such detentions to stop the practice, release those detained under such conditions, and respect the rule of law and human rights.”
According to Reuters, the Declaration does not target any country. Garneau says it is meant to increase diplomatic pressure on countries that detain foreigners and others that may want to do so. But a Canadian official said the move was motivated by concerns about the arrest of foreigners in China, Iran, Russia and North Korea.
Chinese official media Global Times reported in English that some experts said it was “an act of provocation against China.” “China will not be afraid, nor will it compromise. The diplomatic approach chosen by the Canadian side has never worked before and will never work in the future, and such behavior by the Canadian side will only backfire in the worst possible way.”
Canada’s relations with China have hit a low point since 2018. After Canada arrested huawei‘s finance director Meng Wanzhou in 2018 at the request of the United States, China then detained “two Canadian Mikes” – Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Spavor. The Canadian government has been accusing China of hostage diplomacy. China, for its part, says the case of the two Canadian citizens was “done in accordance with the law.
Reuters reported that the Canadian official, who asked to remain anonymous, believes the declaration could help put pressure on Beijing.
He said, “We want to make them feel a little uncomfortable, and we want them to know that there are a number of countries that find this unacceptable behavior, and hopefully, over Time, that will lead to a change in behavior.”
Vice President Harris spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early February, saying the U.S. would “continue to make every effort” to secure the freedom of the two Canadians in Chinese custody.
In a statement, the White House said, “The vice president expressed a strong position of solidarity with Canada on the issue of the two Canadian citizens wrongfully detained by China. She also made clear that the United States will continue to make every effort to secure their release.”
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