A website of a Canadian law firm has the following references about extortion:
In Canada, the 2008 version of the Criminal Code prohibits extortion as set out at §346(1):
"Every one commits extortion who, without reasonable
justification or excuse and with intent to obtain anything, by threats,
accusations, menaces or violence induces or attempts to induce any
person, whether or not he is the person threatened, accused or menaced
or to whom violence is shown, to do anything or cause anything to be
done."
In R v Davis, Chief Justice lamer of Canada's Supreme Court wrote, in 1999:
"Extortion criminalizes intimidation and interference with
freedom of choice. It punishes those who, through threats, accusations,
menaces, or violence induce or attempt to induce their victims into
doing anything or causing anything to be done. Threats, accusations,
menaces and violence clearly intimidate. When threats are coupled with
demands, there is an inducement to accede to the demands. This
interferes with the victim's freedom of choice, as the victim may be
coerced into doing something he or she would otherwise have chosen not
to do."
Does the act, or the threat, of shunning, or forcing JW members to shun, fall under those references (I know U.S. members disagree, but looking for Commonwealth thought)?