Pubdate: Mon, 08 Aug 2005
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Dana Larsen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc)

THIS CASE PUTS CANADA ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE

This has never happened before -- that a Canadian citizen who faces no 
charges in Canada is being extradited to another nation for "crimes" 
committed on Canadian soil.

This is a unique case, and one that will set a precedent for Canada's 
future ability to govern its own citizens under its own laws.

If a human rights activist living in Canada was accused by Chinese 
officials of sending banned democratic literature to China, would our 
government hand over that Canadian citizen to China?

Many Canadian-based Internet pharmacies sell legal pharmaceutical drugs to 
Americans by mail-order. Must the owners of these businesses now prepare to 
be sent to the U.S. for prosecution?

What about a doctor or nurse in Canada who counsels an American youth about 
her abortion options over the Internet, or sends abortion-related 
information by mail? Many U.S. states have strict laws against discussing 
abortion with youth -- should these health-care providers be deported to 
the U.S. to stand trial for "conspiracy to commit abortion?"

Marc Emery's business is entirely Canadian.

If he was illegally sending marijuana seeds to the U.S., it is up to 
Canadian officials to charge him under Canadian law.

U.S. jurisdiction does not extend into Canada when all the actions involved 
occurred in Canada.

Even Saddam Hussein is to be tried in an Iraqi court. America has no right 
to try him in a U.S. court because they have no legal jurisdiction over him.

The same principle applies to Canadian citizens, living and working in 
Canada, as well.

Dana Larsen,

Vancouver
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