Canada expects 'strong' G7 statement against paying hostage ransoms
Statement could be issued condemning ransoms as 'a financial driver for terrorism'
The G7 is poised to take a strong stand against the practice of governments paying ransoms for hostages kidnapped by groups with links to terrorism – one of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's top priorities at this summit of world leaders.
"I think it's very [likely] that we will have a reference in the communiqué to not providing ransoms to terrorists groups who kidnap our citizens," said Peter Boehm, the prime minister's personal representative to the G7.
Boehm — known as a sherpa in G7 parlance —will help draft the joint statement issued when the summit ends on Friday. He didn't provide any details on the specific language. But a senior government source said the language will be "very strong and definitive" and will condemn ransoms as "a financial driver for terrorism."
- Canada, U.K. want issue of hostage ransoms on G7 agenda
- Philippines leader reportedly apologizes to Trudeau for death of John Ridsdel
A spokesperson for Trudeau said the prime minister broached the issue at a working dinner after the first day of the summit.
"'We all need to reiterate this commitment and also abide by it,'" the spokesperson quoted Trudeau as saying.
Many European nations in particular have used networks of proxies to pay ransoms, putting millions into the hands of groups such as al-Qaeda. The kidnappings haven't stopped, but this agreement means some of the payments might.
'Problem isn't going away'
"I think there is a growing sense that the problem isn't going away and that citizens of our countries can be in danger at any time," said Boehm. "And by paying ransom you are just aiding and abetting the terrorists."
Canada and the United Kingdom have firm policies of not paying ransoms for hostages – even if it leads to the deaths of their own citizens.
Trudeau and British Prime Minister David Cameron have been campaigning for other world leaders to take a similar hardline.
- Trudeau says Canada 'does not and will not pay ransom to terrorists'
- Families negotiating ransom for U.S. hostages won't be prosecuted: Obama
John Kirton, director of the G7 research group at the University of Toronto, says getting the ransom statement into the final communiqué is a success for Canada. But he says the real test will come with how those words will be put into action.
"We'll have to look at the fine print," said Kirton, adding that depending on the language drafted, a country might be able to work around not having their treasury board write a cheque to secure the release of hostages.
" … Will they facilitate the families to find ways to pay? So that means only the rich can buy their way out," he said.
This is an emotional issue for Canada. Just last month John Ridsdel was beheaded by a terrorist group in the Philippines who held him hostage for seven months. Another Canadian Robert Hall was kidnapped by the same group and is still being held.
Trudeau spoke with the incoming president of the Philippines earlier this week by phone. A media report from that country says Trudeau received an apology for Ridsdel's death.
The Prime Minister's office will not confirm any details of that conversation citing safety concerns for the other hostages.
