(Montreal) The Palais des congrès de Montréal officially became international territory on Thursday morning, a few days before the start of the 15e conference of parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, COP15.
The United Nations (UN) flag was hoisted in front of the building during a short ceremonial ceremony attended by representatives of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Sûreté du Québec (SQ ), the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) and the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), which takes responsibility for the site.
“The Palais des Congrès becomes an international venue, where rules and security will be maintained by UNDSS staff,” explained to The Press David Ainsworth, spokesperson for the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The same rules as at the United Nations headquarters in New York will therefore apply to the Palais des Congrès during the conference, from December 7 to 19, he specifies.
This measure aims above all to put in place “diplomatic security”, explains the former agent of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Michel Juneau-Katsuya.
“That does not mean that the perimeter around the Palais des Congrès becomes lawless territory,” he says. On the contrary, we are still subject to the laws of the country, but there is still a certain diplomatic protection for the people who will be on the territory, [qui] cannot be charged with certain crimes, or be arrested for certain activities. »
Throughout history, such a principle has been established in the Geneva Conventions, the first version of which dates back to 1864, “in order to protect diplomats posted in foreign countries,” continues Mr. Juneau-Katsuya.
“Initially, it was in particular to prevent the fact that certain diplomats would be taken hostage by a government”, illustrates the expert, recalling however that such an outcome is already “much less likely” in Canada.
In the metropolis, the holding of COP15 at the Palais des Congrès will also imply “360 degree protection”, continues the former federal agent.
“With the Ville-Marie tunnel passing underneath, it is certain that all the planning is already in place, with a crisis management center at its centre, but we know that Montreal is used to international events; the Montreal police even have a dedicated team for this kind of occasion, ”he explains.
At the end of October, Mayor Valérie Plante had also assured that the closure of the Ville-Marie tunnel is not planned during COP15, despite what the leader of the opposition to the City Hall, Aref Salem.
Quebec, the SPVM and the RCMP also confirmed that the infrastructure will remain open.