Canada launched a global initiative Feb. 15 involving 58 countries to stop the arbitrary detention of foreign nationals by some countries as bargaining chips in diplomatic negotiations, a statement said, adding that the practice is immoral.
A video ceremony was held in Ottawa to welcome the continued participation of other countries. The statement is non-binding and not formally directed at any particular country. U.S. Secretary of State John Blinken said the detentions “like many countries, when used in an attempt to leverage relations between nations, constitute a heinous violation of the human rights of the individuals involved.
Canada and the United States say China and other countries are using such tactics. Reuters reports that foreign ministers from 58 countries around the world have joined together to sign a declaration condemning countries that arbitrarily detain citizens of other countries, a declaration that is not binding. Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau stated that arbitrary detentions are unacceptable. Other signatories include Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia and nearly all of the 27 member states of the European Union (EU).
Canadian Foreign Minister Garneau said, “Taking people away from their families and using them as bargaining chips is not only illegal, it’s also immoral.” Garneau said the declaration did not target any country. He added that the declaration is aimed at putting more diplomatic pressure on countries that detain foreign nationals and those that attempt to do so.
However, a Canadian official said the detention of citizens of other countries by China, Iran, Russia and North Korea raised concerns that contributed to the initiative’s action.
Prior to the declaration’s official release, the Global Times, an official Chinese media outlet, cited unnamed experts as saying the action was aggressive and malicious and aimed at provoking China.
Relations between the two sides have been strained since China arrested two Canadian citizens after Canada arrested huawei Treasurer Meng Wanzhou at the request of the U.S. in 2018. Canada has condemned Beijing for what it calls “hostage diplomacy,” while the Chinese Communist Party authorities insist there is no connection.
The U.S. State Department last week called on Beijing to release the two Canadian citizens and criticized China for “using coercion as a political tool.
Canadian officials, who asked to remain anonymous, said the declaration could help put pressure on Beijing authorities. 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 and hope that this will lead to a change in behavior,” the Canadian foreign minister said.
Canada initiated an “Ottawa Treaty” in 1997. The Ottawa Treaty is also known as the Mine Ban Treaty. The treaty formally bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines, and the destruction and total prohibition of all anti-personnel mines (anti-infantry mines, also known as AP mines). To date it has been signed by more than 133 of the 164 countries participating, although none of the major arms powers, such as the People’s Republic of China, India, Russia, and the United States, are parties. In addition, the treaty is supported by international anti-mine organizations. Canada’s foreign minister hopes that the 15-day initiative to ban the arbitrary detention of foreigners will have the same impact as the Ottawa treaty.
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