Canada should end Meng Wanzhou extradition proceedings, Lloyd Axworthy says

Former Liberal foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthysays the Canadian government should prioritize getting two Canadians detained in China home safely andend the extradition proceedings against Meng Wanzhou.

Axworthy is one of 19 prominent former politicians and diplomats from across the political spectrum who have signed aletter that argues releasing MengWangzhou could free Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, the two Canadians who were detained in China shortly after Meng's arrest. The Huawei executiveis under house arrest in Vancouver as she fights extradition to the United States, which requested her arrest.

CBC News obtained a copy of the letter Wednesday.

In addition to Axworthy, the letter was signed byformer Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour,former Conservative foreign affairs minister Lawrence Cannon, former Conservative senator Hugh Segal and former NDP leader Ed Broadbent, among others.

In an interview, Axworthy said Canada's top foreign relations priority should be protecting Canadians abroad, not catering to U.S. President Donald Trump's demands.

"We've got two Canadians sitting in a jail in a very sordid situation and facing serious legal charges, so I think what we're saying is that the rationale being used by the government to say that they have to retain the integrity of the extradition process doesn't hold all that much water," he said.

Justice Minister David Lametti can request an end to an extradition caseand should do so in this matter, Axworthy said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rejected the calls to release Meng.

He said Thursday that while he's sympathetic to Spavor and Kovrig's "terrible and trying" situation, bowing down to pressure from China would set a bad precedent and potentially put other Canadians in danger.

"We will continue to remain steadfast and strong and say very clearly in our actions and in our words that randomly arresting Canadians doesn't give you leverage over the government of Canada anywhere in the world," he said.

Trudeau said the government is doing everything it can to bring Spavor and Kovrig home, but he refuses to give in to political pressure.

Axworthy said the purpose of the letter was to prompt some debate on the issueand ask the Canadian government to be more assertive.