CBSA follows law on Chinese fugitives: Toews
Birds fly past the Chinese national flag on top of the Great Hall of the People where the third plenary session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is held in Beijing;China;Saturday;March 10;2012
Photo Credit: Ng Han Gua , AP Photo
OTTAWA – Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said on Thursday Canadian border officials act lawfully when removing individuals from Canada after a Global News report raised questions about unofficial extradition.
A letter obtained by Global News shows Canadian border officials met with their Chinese counterparts on Aug. 3, 2012 to discuss what to do with fugitives, including two specific individuals, sought by the communist country.
The meeting raised questions among legal experts over whether Canadian and Chinese authorities were circumventing the formal extradition process, which generally protects fugitives from returning to face charges in a corrupt justice system.
Toews did not respond to Global News’ requests for comment on the meeting, but he did face questions from the NDP.
“The Chinese government’s legal system… has been criticized for allowing things like coerced confessions and closed door trials,” said NDP MP Randall Garrison. “Canadians officials must respect Canadian laws and not serve at the beck and call of the Chinese regime.”
Toews said the government is committed to removing foreign criminals who have no right to be in Canada, but follows the rules when kicking them out.
“Individuals that are in Canada illegally are removed only after officials have determined they can be removed without undue risk,” Toews said. “Our government has never shied from raising human rights issues with China and we will conduct ourselves lawfully in every respect.”
The purpose of the meeting, according to the letter, was to provide the Chinese delegation with background information “on managing Chinese fugitives… and to discuss two specific cases which are alleged fugitives from justice….”
The Chinese delegation was also invited to give presentations and provide evidence on each case for the CBSA.
Extradition processes normally require a country to formally request that Canada return an alleged fugitive to face the justice system amidst allegations of serious crimes – a decision that is made by the federal justice minister and an extradition judge.
Canada usually also forbids the extradition of suspects to countries where they will face the death penalty or a corrupt legal system.
But deportation is when Canada acts on its own to kick out a foreign national generally for immigration, security or crime-related reasons.
A letter obtained by Global News shows Canadian border officials met with their Chinese counterparts on Aug. 3, 2012 to discuss what to do with fugitives, including two specific individuals, sought by the communist country.
The meeting raised questions among legal experts over whether Canadian and Chinese authorities were circumventing the formal extradition process, which generally protects fugitives from returning to face charges in a corrupt justice system.
Toews did not respond to Global News’ requests for comment on the meeting, but he did face questions from the NDP.
“The Chinese government’s legal system… has been criticized for allowing things like coerced confessions and closed door trials,” said NDP MP Randall Garrison. “Canadians officials must respect Canadian laws and not serve at the beck and call of the Chinese regime.”
Toews said the government is committed to removing foreign criminals who have no right to be in Canada, but follows the rules when kicking them out.
“Individuals that are in Canada illegally are removed only after officials have determined they can be removed without undue risk,” Toews said. “Our government has never shied from raising human rights issues with China and we will conduct ourselves lawfully in every respect.”
The purpose of the meeting, according to the letter, was to provide the Chinese delegation with background information “on managing Chinese fugitives… and to discuss two specific cases which are alleged fugitives from justice….”
The Chinese delegation was also invited to give presentations and provide evidence on each case for the CBSA.
Extradition processes normally require a country to formally request that Canada return an alleged fugitive to face the justice system amidst allegations of serious crimes – a decision that is made by the federal justice minister and an extradition judge.
Canada usually also forbids the extradition of suspects to countries where they will face the death penalty or a corrupt legal system.
But deportation is when Canada acts on its own to kick out a foreign national generally for immigration, security or crime-related reasons.
Read it on Global News: Global News | CBSA follows law on Chinese fugitives: Toews
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