Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; Credit: SIP

On Monday 15 February 2021, Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, participated via video conference in the launch of the Canadian-drafted “Declaration Against the Use of Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations".

More than 50 countries, as well as the European Union (EU), have endorsed the Declaration, the objective of which is to strengthen international cooperation and put an end to the practice of arbitrary arrests, detentions or sentences of foreign nationals aimed at exerting influence on foreign governments. The Declaration reaffirms the fundamental importance of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, respect for human rights and respect for the obligation to provide consular access in accordance with international law.

Recalling the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the ministers participating in the Declaration launch insisted on the fact that, in a globalised world where many nationals travel, work or live abroad, it is unacceptable that they could be subject to arbitrary arrests and be used as means of political pressure.

In his speech, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn welcomed Canada's initiative and stressed that the rights of every human being must be respected and protected under the Charter of the United Nations and international law. He pointed out that arbitrary arrests and detentions violate international law, as do hostage-taking and torture.

Minister Jean Asselborn also highlighted that Luxembourg stands in solidarity with states whose nationals have been arbitrarily arrested, detained or sentenced by other states which thus seek to exert pressure on them. He expressed hope that, with the impetus given by the launch of the Declaration Against the Use of Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations, "respect for human dignity and human rights will eventually prevail over reason of state” and that "foreign nationals detained unfairly and illegally will soon regain the freedom that should never have been taken away from them”.