Posted: Monday, February 15, 2021 13:58
Canada has created a coalition of 58 countries plus the EU to denounce the arbitrary detention of foreign nationals for political purposes. In announcing a new Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations, Canada’s Global Affairs Minister Marc Garneau refused to link the effort to China’s detention of Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig since December 2018.
The two men were arrested shortly after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States, in what is widely seen as a retaliatory move by China’s government. Canada and several allies have previously denounced national security charges against Kovrig and Spavor and have called for their release. The U.S. wants to try Meng for bank fraud. She is currently contesting her extradition to the U.S. in a lengthy process before a Canadian court. Meanwhile, she lives in one of her two mansions in the western Canadian city