PHL joins calls vs state detention as tool vs govts

Locsin replied, “I was told not to sign because it is non-binding. I said good things start that way: optional. Until avoiding the norm makes you look like a [expletive] jungle bunny; then almost like an afterthought it becomes binding law.”

Fr. Aquino said, “I have no doubt that this proscription will soon coalesce into jus cogens: a peremptory norm of international law.”

The declaration, launched last February 15, was led by Canada, which has accused China of arbitrarily detaining its nationals Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

It aims to protect citizens of all countries who live, work and travel abroad and calls upon states to take “concrete steps” to prevent and put an end to harsh conditions in detention, denial of access to legal counsel, torture, and other inhuman treatment or punishment.

However, it was Canada that first detained Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou two years ago at the Vancouver airport, when she was arrested by Canadian police.

She faces extradition to the US where she has been charged with bank and wire fraud.

Meng, 48, has remained under house arrest in Vancouver and claims she’s innocent of the fraud charges for allegedly misleading HSBC about Huawei’s business dealings in Iran.

The arrest on December 1, 2018, followed strong trade policies lodged by the Trump administration against Chinese companies, including Huawei, one of China’s largest companies and the world’s largest telecoms equipment maker.

Supporters of Huawei and Meng, also known as Sabrina Meng, believe she is the victim of politics and said the charges against her do not follow normal US Department of Justice procedures.