News Release

National 2005

Canada's War Crimes Program releases its 8th Annual Report

OTTAWA, November 3, 2005 - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Anne McLellan, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Irwin Cotler, and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Joe Volpe, today released the Eighth Annual Report on Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes. The report details the progress of Canada's War Crimes Program from April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2005, in bringing those involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide to justice.

"Canada's no safe haven policy means that persons involved in crimes against humanity or war crimes are not welcome in Canada," said Minister McLellan. "Canada continues to play a leading international role in taking action against persons responsible for atrocities, and our coordinated program is a successful model of interdepartmental cooperation in the battle against impunity."

"It is only right that Canada, which was at the forefront of the effort to establish the International Criminal Court - and which enacted the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act - play a leadership role in the fight against impunity," said Minister Cotler. "Through our War Crimes Program, we will vigorously support international efforts to bring war criminals to justice, and help build an international criminal justice system in the 21st century."

"Visa officers working at Canadian missions abroad are the first line of defense in preventing war criminals from reaching Canada," said Minister Volpe.

In fiscal year 2004-2005, the Program prevented 385 potential war criminals and individuals involved in crimes against humanity from reaching Canada, ensured that 79 people did not get refugee protection, and removed 42 people from Canada because of their involvement in war crimes or crimes against humanity.

Canada's War Crimes Program investigates potential cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity. It 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. By sharing information and expertise, Canada can contribute to the success of other nations' war crimes programs and the international struggle against impunity.

Canada's War Crimes Program is a joint initiative of the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Department of Justice and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. These organizations work together to support Canada's efforts to deny safe haven to war criminals and perpetrators of crimes against humanity and genocide.

The Annual Report on Canada's War Crimes Program provides information on the program's activities during the past fiscal year. The 2004-2005 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.

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For media information

Marc Chalifoux
Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621

Media Relations
Department of Justice
(613) 957-4207

Alex Swann
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
(613) 991-2863

Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
(613) 957-6500

Stephen Heckbert
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(613) 954-1064

Greg Scott
Media Relations
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(613) 941-7028

Royal Canadian Mounted Police
"A" Division (Ottawa), (613) 993-8820 -
or National Public Affairs and Communication Services, (613) 993-2999

BACKGROUNDER
2004-2005 Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Annual Report

Canada's War Crimes Program supports Canada's policy of denying safe haven to war criminals and perpetrators of crimes against humanity. The program is a joint initiative of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Since 1998, the War Crimes Program has issued an annual report of its activities.

The 2005 Budget has renewed funding for the program of $15.6 million per year, for the next five years. This underlines Canada's commitment to fighting impunity for persons involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.

Canada can use a number of remedies to take action against individuals involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity, including: denial of visas abroad, exclusion from refugee protection in Canada, criminal prosecution, revocation of citizenship, removal, extradition and surrender to an international tribunal.

Highlights of Canada's War Crimes Program activities during 2004-2005:

• CIC visa officials abroad reviewed a total of 2,651 potential war crimes cases. These included 171 applications for both permanent resident visas (immigrants) and 2,480 applications for temporary resident visas (visitors, students and temporary workers).
• As a result, 41 persons considered involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity were refused visas to immigrate to Canada or withdrew their applications, while 344 other persons were denied temporary resident visas, for a grand total of 385.
• The number of Temporary Resident visa applications reviewed by CBSA's Modern War Crimes Unit increased by 26% over the previous year, to 2,480, with a refusal rate of 14%.
• In Canada, 79 persons were excluded from refugee protection because of war crimes or crimes against humanity.
• The CBSA carried out 42 removals from Canada of war criminals or persons considered involved or complicit in crimes against humanity.
• CBSA researchers responded to 2,417 requests for information, from within the Agency, national and international partners and the International Criminal Tribunals, a 56% increase from the last fiscal year.
• With DOJ support, RCMP is examining more than 100 modern war crimes files. RCMP made 31 investigative trips, both in Canada and abroad, collecting evidence to support 20 cases.
• DOJ completed investigations of allegations and closed more than 80 World War II files.