War Crimes and Special Investigations Enforcement Program

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This section was established in April 1987 in response to the Canadian Government's decision to pursue the recommendations of the "Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals", submitted to the Governor in Council on December 30, 1986. This inquiry dealt with the matter of alleged war criminals in Canada.

Amendments to the Criminal Code to give Canadian courts jurisdiction to try war crimes or crimes against humanity cases in Canada were implemented. Amendments were also made to our Citizenship and Immigration Acts to prevent future war crimes/crimes against humanity suspects from remaining in Canada or gaining Canadian Citizenship. Section 7(3.76) of the Criminal Code provides the definitions of "war crime" and "crime against humanity", but in more simplistic terms the distinction of the two are noted as follows;

"War crime"- acts committed during an international armed conflict (i.e. World War II), that constitutes a contravention of the customary or conventional international law applicable in international armed conflicts.

"Crime against humanity"- means murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, persecution or any other inhumane act that is committed against any civilian population or any identifiable group of persons that constitutes a contravention of customary or conventional international law or is criminal according to the general principles of law.

As long as war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed, Canada will be vigilant to prevent those responsible from entering Canada and becoming or remaining citizens. We will be ready to commence criminal investigations and prosecute such persons found in Canada.

NOTE: See Immigration, Passport,Citizenship and Federal Enforcement Program for further related information.

See also:

• Canadian Border Services Agency — Canada's War Crime Program Annual Report 2003-04

• Justice Canada - Canada’s War Crimes Program Activities for the Period of April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003

Links

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Partners n security of Canada and those who come to our country as Immigrants and Refugees
• Justice Canada: Partners addressing the legal aspects and policy on war crimes
• United Nations ICTY: The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Hague
• United Nations ICC: Developments surrounding the establishment of the International Criminal Court
• United Nations HCHR: The High Commissioner for Human Rights investigates allegations of human rights abuses

Anyone who has information concerning persons in Canada who may have participated in or conspired in the commission of war crimes or crimes against humanity are invited to report their concerns to the nearest office of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or reply directly to this section by telephone at (613) 590-1708, by fax (613) 590-2130, or in writing at:

Officer in charge
RCMP War Crimes Section
110 Place d'Orléans
Room 2200
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0R2