Amnesty International Reacts to Reports of Executions of Canadians in China

Amnesty International has condemned China’s execution of Canadian citizens and urged Canada to take stronger actions to protect its nationals abroad. The organization expresses deep sympathy for the victims’ families, emphasizing the need for justice and clarity regarding those on death row. Reports reveal that the Canadian government has confirmed several executions in China since 2025. China remains the leading country for executions worldwide, particularly for drug offenses.

Amnesty International has expressed profound dismay following reports that Canada has executed its citizens in China this year. Ketty Nivyabandi, the Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, stated that these horrifying executions serve as a critical alert for Canada. She emphasized the organization’s sympathy for the victims’ families, who must endure the unimaginable pain of loss.

Nivyabandi further highlighted the plight of Canadians on death row in China and those whose fates remain uncertain within the prison system. These families, she asserted, deserve clarity and justice, rather than the distressing uncertainty inflicted upon them over many years.

France-Isabelle Langlois, the Director General of Amnistie Internationale Canada Francophone, reaffirmed the organization’s stance against the death penalty, insisting that Canada must enhance its efforts to protect citizens abroad. She called for increased diplomatic pressure on China to cease the use of capital punishment.

An article published in The Globe and Mail reported that the Canadian government confirmed an unspecified number of Canadians had been executed in China since January 2025. Global Affairs Canada is currently supporting the impacted families, although it has refrained from disclosing the identities of the victims.

Nivyabandi commended Canada for its strong denunciation of China’s actions, urging Global Affairs Canada to persist in its demands for humane treatment of Canadians like Huseyin Celil and Robert Schellenberg, both of whom are entangled in their respective legal struggles in China.

China continues to be the leading nation in executions globally, having executed thousands of people in 2023 alone, as reported by Amnesty International. The specific figures remain a closely guarded secret. Iran, ranked second, documented at least 853 executions during the same year. In particular, China imposes the death penalty frequently for drug-related offenses, impacting both nationals and foreign citizens alike.

The reports of Canadians executed in China highlight serious concerns regarding human rights and the application of the death penalty. Amnesty International’s condemnation of these actions reinforces the call for Canada to advocate more fervently for its citizens abroad. As China remains the foremost executor globally, international pressures are essential to safeguard the rights and welfare of individuals facing such dire circumstances.

Original Source: amnesty.ca