What to Expect When You are Arrested Overseas.

Summary

The article discusses the misconception of an individual who believed U.S. First Amendment rights applied in Canada during the Freedom Convoy protests, emphasizing that foreigners arrested abroad are subject to local laws, not their home country's constitution.

Abstract

The content of the website highlights a humorous incident involving a man who traveled to Ottawa to support the Freedom Convoy protests and mistakenly believed that his U.S. First Amendment rights applied in Canada. The article clarifies that Canada operates under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, not the U.S. Constitution, and that individuals in Canada, including foreign visitors, are subject to Canadian laws. It underscores the importance of understanding the legal framework of the country one is in, especially in the context of the pandemic, where a sense of entitlement among some North Americans has been observed. The author points out that selfish and entitled behavior is not excused by being in a foreign country, and one must abide by the laws and regulations of that land.

Opinions

The author finds it humorous that the man confused U.S. constitutional rights with Canadian legal rights, suggesting a lack of basic political knowledge.
There is an implied critique of the man's overconsumption of U.S.-centric news, which may have led to his confusion about his rights in Canada.
The author expresses a clear stance that entitlement and selfish behavior, especially during the pandemic, are not acceptable, and that individuals must respect the laws of the countries they visit or reside in.
The article suggests that the man's confusion could stem from either being a U.S. citizen unfamiliar with Canadian law or a Canadian who has forgotten the country's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The author emphasizes the need for individuals to educate themselves on the legal systems of countries they are involved with, rather than assuming their domestic rights extend internationally.

Plus a Funny Story.

This topic came to my mind after I heard something funny about the Freedom Convoy here in Canada.

One of the organizers of the protest, had her husband come via a friend’s private jet to Ottawa from a small town in Alberta.

According to him, all he saw was a peaceful demonstration without any guns (which is not true). This husband then inquired about his first amendment rights. The judge then asked, “What amendments?”

The husband said he wasn’t very knowledgeable about politics. It is clear that this guy watched and read too much news from the U.S. that he forgot which country he lives in. Either that or, this man may not be familiar with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Canada because he is from the States. Or, if he is Canadian, he has forgotten everything he learned in school.

Canada does not have any amendments, but instead has the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It was an act passed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in 1982 (The current P.M. Justin’s dad). It guarantees the rights and freedoms of all Canadians. Considering I’m not too into politics, I’ll leave it to you to google more about what that Act entails.

To prove a point.

I do not know if anyone from the States was arrested in this convoy. If so, they are subject to Canadian laws. Not only in Canada, but throughout the world, the US Amendments do not apply in court. To put it simply, if you are arrested in a foreign land, you are treated like a local.

Vacationing in another country does not give you any special rights. I am writing this because, throughout this pandemic, we have seen many selfish and entitled people living in North America. These people believe that if things go their way, they can get away with anything. Not if you are living or visiting abroad.

References

THE CONSTITUTION ACTS, 1867 to 1982. (n.d.). THE CONSTITUTION ACTS, 1867 to 1982. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-12.html

Molina, K., & Hristova, B. (2022, February 19). No bail decision yet for Tamara Lich, convoy protest organizer. CBC. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tamara-lich-bail-hearing-february-19-1.6358307

What to Expect When You are Arrested Overseas.

Plus a Funny Story.

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