Ottawa defends extradition treaty talks with UAE as civil society group sounds alarm
OTTAWA — The federal government is defending its plan to start talks on an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates as a civil society group issues a warning over the country's human-rights record.
OTTAWA — Canada's government is defending plans to begin extradition treaty negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid concerns raised by a civil society group about the country's human rights record. Canada and the UAE signed a free-trade agreement recently, with Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed meeting Prime Minister Mark Carney during his visit to Ottawa. The two nations also discussed launching talks on an extradition treaty and a mutual legal assistance agreement.
Amani Khalfan, a spokesperson for Inter Pares, a social justice organization, questioned the message Canada would send by forming extradition and defense treaties with the UAE, a nation with a poor human rights record. Khalfan highlighted the UAE's history of unlawful and arbitrary detentions, citing Sudanese activist Mohammed Farouk Salman Mahmoud, who was imprisoned for over a year and a half without charges. Amnesty International confirmed his release on August 22.
Khalfan emphasized that prioritizing economic partnerships over human rights concerns puts Canada at risk of seeking "blood money" in the UAE. Kwame Bonsu, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice, defended the extradition treaty, stating that it would help bring to justice individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking, or cybercrime.
Bonsu noted that the UAE's extradition and mutual legal assistance agreements with other nations, including the UK, Ireland, Belgium, France, Italy, Sweden, and the Netherlands, make it an opportune time to negotiate with Canada. A mutual legal assistance treaty would facilitate the exchange of evidence and legal assistance in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Seventeen civil society organizations signed an open letter to Canada, warning against deeper ties with the UAE and urging the country to prioritize human rights as a core value. The UAE, which has gained prominence in global politics, has been recognized for efforts to end conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. However, it has also faced accusations of supporting a militia in Sudan accused of genocide, a claim denied by Abu Dhabi.
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