NEWS RELEASES

April 26, 2000 (12:30 p.m. EDT) No. 83

CANADA CONDEMNS EXECUTION OF NGUYEN THI HIEP

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan today condemned the execution in Vietnam of Nguyen Thi Hiep. Ms. Nguyen, a Canadian citizen, had been sentenced to death for drug trafficking in March 1997.

"First and foremost, I would like to extend deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Nguyen. Given our understanding that new information relating to her case was being examined by the Vietnamese authorities, this action has come as a shock," said Mr. Axworthy. "I am deeply disappointed that the Government of Vietnam did not accept our request for executive clemency and commutation of the death sentence imposed on Ms. Nguyen."

"Canadian police authorities provided the Vietnamese government with information that needed careful examination in order to establish whether Ms. Nguyen may have been duped into transporting drugs out of Vietnam," said Secretary of State Chan. "Canadian police officials were to go to Vietnam to assist in the examination of this information, and this visit was pending at the time of the execution. It is most unfortunate that the Vietnamese government chose to ignore pertinent information that might have saved Ms. Nguyen's life.

"As a signatory to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, Vietnam has an obligation to impose the death penalty for only the most serious crimes. We do not believe that Ms. Nguyen's conviction for drug trafficking meets this standard," said Mr. Axworthy. "I would like to assure the Nguyen family and its supporters that we will continue to seek a full review of the matter."

Minister Axworthy noted that Canada's concern regarding the drug trade has led to active participation in the international fight to deal with drug trafficking. "Nevertheless, it is equally important that national laws reflect a balance between crime and punishment. Without such a balance, international support for penalties could be eroded."

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Naseem Nuraney

Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)

(613) 995-1852

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874