Government records show that China is currently holding 97 Canadians in prison, which is higher than the number of Canadians held in custody by any other foreign state except the United States. Global Affairs Canada, citing privacy reasons, declined to provide details on individual cases that relate to potential human rights concerns.
The information about the Canadians detained in China and Hong Kong came in response to a parliamentary question by Conservative MP Garnett Genuis. The government disclosed that 93 Canadians are held in China and four in Hong Kong. Additionally, they mentioned that the United States detains 557 Canadians, making it the only country with more Canadian citizens in custody than China.
Global Affairs Canada invoked the Privacy Act in response to Genuis’ inquiry about Canadians detained abroad under circumstances that violate their human rights. According to the department, disclosing case information could negatively impact the detained individuals, and they have established Protocols to Respond to Allegations of Mistreatment or Torture Arising in Consular Cases.
The release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in 2021 has sparked concerns about the remaining 115 Canadians held in Chinese prisons, especially those facing human rights persecution. Critics are watching closely, given the past cases of Canadians being arbitrarily detained by the Chinese regime.
In a 2021 interview with The Epoch Times, former Liberal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler brought attention to cases of Sun Qian and Huseyin Celil. Sun Qian, a Vancouver-based businesswoman practicing Falun Gong, faced torture and was sentenced to eight years in prison by a Beijing court. Huseyin Celil, a Uyghur human rights activist, has been detained by Chinese authorities since 2006 under controversial circumstances.
The Chinese ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, denied reports of harsh treatment of Canadians jailed in China. However, the Government of Canada’s travel advisory website advises Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to China due to specific safety and security concerns, as well as potential risks faced by foreign journalists.