OTTAWA, September 30, 2004 ¿ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Anne McLellan and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Irwin Cotler, today released the Seventh Annual Report on Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes. The report details the progress of Canada's War Crimes Program from April 1, 2003, to March 31, 2004, in bringing war criminals and those who are involved in crimes against humanity or other atrocities to justice. "The Government of Canada has demonstrated a clear commitment to deny refuge to persons who have committed atrocities," announced Minister McLellan. "Canada has not been and never will be a safe haven for war criminals or persons who have committed reprehensible acts against humanity, no matter when they have occurred." "The bringing of war criminals to justice, both domestically and internationally, is the linchpin of building an international criminal justice system in the 21st century," said Minister Cotler. "There will be no sanctuary for the enemies of humankind." In fiscal year 2003-2004, the Program prevented 242 potential war criminals and individuals involved in crimes against humanity from reaching Canada, ensured that 63 people did not get refugee protection, and removed 44 people from Canada because of their involvement in war crimes or crimes against humanity. In the World War II program, two citizenships were revoked, while proceedings continue before the Federal Court in three other cases. Canada¿s War Crimes Program investigates potential cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity and has recourse to a number of remedies to deal with persons involved in atrocities, whether World War II cases or modern war crimes. These measures include denial of visas to such persons seeking to enter Canada, denial of refugee protection to those who do reach Canada, revocation of citizenship, deportation, criminal prosecution, extradition or surrender to an international tribunal. Apprehending and dealing appropriately with individuals who have committed such crimes are international problems that require international cooperation and solutions. Canada is a leader among countries that have supported the work of international organizations including the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda and the hybrid Special Court for Sierra Leone. Canada¿s War Crimes Program is a joint initiative of the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Department of Justice, which work together to support Canada¿s efforts in denying safe haven to war criminals and perpetrators of crimes against humanity. The Annual Report on Canada¿s War Crimes Program provides information on the program¿s activities during the past fiscal year. The 2003-2004 Annual Report is available on the Internet at www.cbsa.gc.ca. Previous Annual Reports can also be found on the Canada Border Services Agency site. - 30 - Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Justice (613) 992-4621 Alex Swann Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (613) 991-2863 Media Relations Department of Justice (613) 957-4207 Amélie Morin Media Relations Canada Border Services Agency (613) 954-4880 BACKGROUNDER Canada¿s Annual War Crimes Report 2003-2004 On December 12, 2003, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC). Canada Border Services Agency was created and became part of PSEPC¿s portfolio, along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The ability to prevent the entry of and to remove people suspected of being involved in atrocities was enhanced by bringing all the players with a role in securing public safety on the same team and reporting to the same Minister. Canada's War Crimes Program is a joint initiative of the Department of Justice Canada (DOJ), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). It supports Canada's policy of denying safe haven to war criminals and perpetrators of crimes against humanity. Since 1998, the War Crimes Program has issued an annual report of its activities. Canada can use various remedies in dealing with war criminals including: extradition; prosecution in Canada under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act; surrender to an international tribunal; revocation of citizenship and deportation; denial of visas to people abroad; denial of access to our refugee protection system; and removal from Canada. Highlights of Canada¿s War Crimes Program activities during fiscal year 2003-2004: Modern War Crimes Program 242 potential war criminals were prevented from entering Canada. CBSA researchers produced 46 screening aids, guides and country reports to help in the assessment of potential war crimes cases. CBSA intervened at 387 refugee hearings to seek the exclusion of possible war criminals from refugee protection. The Immigration Refugee Board excluded 63 persons from refugee protection because of war crimes or crimes against humanity. CBSA carried out 44 removals from Canada of war criminals or persons considered complicit in crimes against humanity. CBSA reviewed all war crimes files with outstanding immigration warrants and established an inventory of 125 active warrants in cases with war crimes concerns as of end of the fiscal year 2003-04. RCMP investigates, travels abroad to interview witnesses, and has entered into cooperation agreements with law enforcement agencies in other countries. RCMP currently have over 80 cases in their inventory. RCMP and DOJ continue to work closely with the International Criminal Tribunals. RCMP submitted three cases to the Department of Justice with recommendations for criminal prosecution. Department of Justice is supporting the investigation of 85 cases. World War II Program Two new cases were started The Federal Court decided in favor of the Government of Canada in two citizenship revocation cases. Federal Court proceedings are ongoing in three citizenship revocation cases. DOJ completed 65 investigations. DOJ is actively investigating 59 files. DOJ is checking allegations in 122 cases. DOJ has reviewed a cumulative total of 1,749 WWII cases, of which 1,564 have been closed or declared inactive. CIC is responsible for the revocation of citizenship.
