No double standards should be used in the law

World
Europe

02:31

Hi, I am Yang Rui and welcome back to Rui Thinking.

Drug trafficking or drug dealing faces the death penalty in most Asian countries. China is no exception. For Canada, this simple issue has been complicated and China is accused of arbitrarily applying capital punishment.

I think debates between the two governments focus on two issues. One is whether the case of Mr. Schellenberg, a Canadian who was caught trying to traffic 222 kilograms of drugs, has been politically motivated with a second trial; the other, the death penalty which has been abolished in Canada.

Most would agree that a senior leader of Huawei who was arrested in Canada must have been implied, but both sides have denied any relevance.

Will the Canadian criminal be executed and brought to justice the Chinese way? Most Chinese say yes. They argue that all people, whatever their ethnicity or national identity, must stand equal before the law. No double standards should be used in the application of law and regulations.

For a long while, many Chinese were concerned that for the sake of diplomacy or social stability, criminals of ethnic groups in China or expats in this country could enjoy greater leniency or might be pardoned. Is this too much of politics? I am afraid so.

The Chinese government needs to clarify that judicial independence remains protected and the protection gets seriously enshrined in the constitution. For Canadians, in the case of rule of law, they must comply with laws in the host country in Asia.

Let us imagine a Canadian had violated respect for the royal family in Thailand, crimes of blasphemy or desecration would be very, very serious. The same is true in any Arab country in the Middle East or even in Singapore.

Those who argue that the death penalty has a lot to do with human rights need to look at the United States, where capital punishment is regularly applied and remains legal.

Justice needs to be done to protect the happiness of numerous families in the United States and Canada because most of those who buy the drugs live and work in North America.

I am Yang Rui, and hope to see you next time on Rui Thinking. Bye for now.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com)