February 16, 2021
Canada launched the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to State Relations on February 15, 2021 in Ottawa, Canada. There are currently 59 countries who signed on and endorsed this declaration. Vietnam is not among the list. Below is the statement published on the Government of Canada’s website.
Here is the link to the website statement.
Arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations
Around the world, foreign nationals are being detained arbitrarily and used as bargaining chips in international relations. Such tactics expose citizens of all countries who travel, work and live abroad to greater risk. Not only is this practice contrary to international law, but it also undermines friendly relations between states, global cooperation, travel and trade.
Arbitrary detention violates established principles of human rights, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations
Canada launched the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations on February 15, 2021, in Ottawa.
The declaration aims to protect citizens of all countries who live, work and travel abroad through a concerted commitment to core principles of human rights, consular relations, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. These are universal values, firmly grounded in international law.
The declaration aims to raise awareness and stop the practice of arbitrary detention.
The declaration calls upon all states to take concrete steps to prevent and put an end to:
- harsh conditions in detention
- denial of access to legal counsel
- torture
- other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Canada’s leadership in the fight against this practice is a natural extension of its steadfast commitment to upholding universal human rights and the rules-based international order.
Canada encourages all like-minded states to endorse the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations to reaffirm grave concern about the use of arbitrary arrest or detention by States to exercise leverage over foreign governments, contrary to international law. This applies equally to individuals with dual citizenship.
“All cases of arbitrary detention, whether they target Canadian nationals, dual nationals, nationals of partners and other states, are unacceptable. We will continue the fight against arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations, now and for the future.”
– Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Guiding principles
The declaration reaffirms established principles of human rights, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, as outlined in the following international instruments:
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 9: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.”
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 9, Section 1: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.”
- The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, Article 36, Section 1(c): “Consular officers shall have the right to visit a national of the sending State who is in prison, custody or detention, to converse and correspond with him and to arrange for his legal representation. They shall also have the right to visit any national of the sending State who is in prison, custody or detention in their district in pursuance of a judgement.”
International response
By endorsing the declaration, states agree to stand in solidarity against arbitrary arrest, detention or sentencing by other states seeking to exercise leverage over them. Many countries have endorsed and promoted this declaration reaffirming their commitment to its guiding principles and recognizing that their nationals could be vulnerable to this type of treatment.
States endorsing the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations
Founding endorsers (as of February 15, 2021):
Status of endorsements [59]:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- the Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malawi
- Malta
- the Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Panama
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- the United Kingdom
- Ukraine
- the United States
The European Union has also endorsed the declaration.
(Declaration remains open to endorsement)
Declaration also available in: عربي, По-русски, 中文,Español, Français