By Canadian Press

Foreign affairs minister troubled by lack of transparency in trials of Kovrig, Spavor

Mar 22, 2021 | 10:37 AM

Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau says the government is deeply troubled by the total lack of transparency surrounding hearings for two Canadians detained in China.

As Michael Kovrig was put on trial today in Beijing, Garneau issued a statement that Ottawa is continuing to work toward an immediate end to the arbitrary detention of Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

The two Michaels have been detained for more than two years in apparent retaliation for the arrest in Vancouver of a top executive of Chinese telecom giant Huawei.

Canadian diplomats have been denied access to the trials, with the explanation the hearings were being held behind closed doors because of alleged national security concerns.

Diplomats and journalists have showed up nonetheless to seek information and show support.

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Outside Beijing’s No. 2 Intermediate Court, Jim Nickel, the Canadian Embassy’s deputy chief of mission, said he’d been told the trial had begun.

But he was barred from entry in what he complained was a violation of China’s international and bilateral treaty obligations.

Nickel said 26 countries had sent representatives to show their support, including the U.S., the U.K., Australia and many European nations.

Garneau is thanking them all for their efforts.

He says, “The eyes of the world are on these cases and proceedings.’

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 22, 2021.

The Canadian Press