Death penalty sentences a ‘very grave problem’ in China

Canadian Robert Schellenberg remains on death row in China after being found guilty of drug smuggling. Schellenberg was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison, but a Chinese court increased the penalty to a death sentence after stating that the original sentence was too lenient.

Schellenberg’s family says they are working with their local MP, Ed Fast from the Conservative Party, to ensure the government makes every effort to secure fair treatment for Robert Lloyd Schellenberg.

A Canadian lawyer who has fought the government of China over a death penalty sentence says that capital punishment is a “very grave problem” in the country. David Matas headed up the legal team for Lai Changxing, a Chinese national who evaded Chinese authorities and sought refuge in Canada after being charged with corruption and was sentenced to death. After a lengthy political battle, Changxing was extradited to China in 2011, but the success of the extradition was a 2001 diplomatic note from China’s then-president Jiang Zemin to former prime minister Jean Chretien with assurances that Changxing would not be executed if returned to China.

Canada is dealing with another death penalty sentence for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian man who was convicted of drug smuggling in China. Prime Minister Trudeau has condemned the court's decision, and now the United States has spoken out condemning the death sentence. What lessons did Canada learn from the Changxing case, and what can the government do now to spare Schellenberg’s life?

Guest: David Matas

International human rights lawyer based in Winnipeg

Canadian Robert Schellenberg remains on death row in China after being found guilty of drug smuggling. Schellenberg was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison, but a Chinese court increased the penalty to a death sentence after stating that the original sentence was too lenient.

Schellenberg’s family says they are working with their local MP, Ed Fast from the Conservative Party, to ensure the government makes every effort to secure fair treatment for Robert Lloyd Schellenberg.

A Canadian lawyer who has fought the government of China over a death penalty sentence says that capital punishment is a “very grave problem” in the country. David Matas headed up the legal team for Lai Changxing, a Chinese national who evaded Chinese authorities and sought refuge in Canada after being charged with corruption and was sentenced to death. After a lengthy political battle, Changxing was extradited to China in 2011, but the success of the extradition was a 2001 diplomatic note from China’s then-president Jiang Zemin to former prime minister Jean Chretien with assurances that Changxing would not be executed if returned to China.

Canada is dealing with another death penalty sentence for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian man who was convicted of drug smuggling in China. Prime Minister Trudeau has condemned the court's decision, and now the United States has spoken out condemning the death sentence. What lessons did Canada learn from the Changxing case, and what can the government do now to spare Schellenberg’s life?

Guest: David Matas

International human rights lawyer based in Winnipeg