Ottawa defends plan to open extradition treaty talks with the UAE

Canada and the United Arab Emirates signed a free-trade deal last week during a visit to Ottawa by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. They also announced plans to negotiate an extradition treaty and a mutual legal assistance treaty.

Amnesty International and Inter Pares warn about the UAE's record of arbitrary detention and unfair trials. Inter Pares also says the UAE backs a militia in Sudan accused of genocide, which Abu Dhabi denies.

Ottawa's case

A Justice Department spokesperson says a treaty would help bring to justice people accused of serious crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking and cybercrime.

How extradition works in Canada

• The justice minister issues an authority to proceed
• Courts decide if the evidence is enough
• The minister decides whether to order surrender

Under Canadian law, the justice minister must refuse an extradition order that would be unjust or oppressive, and may refuse one where the conduct is punishable by death.