UCC asks government for clarification of policy on alleged war criminals (04/30/00)

UCC asks government for clarification of policy on alleged war criminals

WINNlPEG - The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) has written to Anne McLellan, minister of justice and attorney general of Canada, and Elinor Caplan, minister of citizenship and immigration, seeking clarification on the government policy dealing with alleged war criminals.

This request for clarification is based upon the introduction of Bill C-19, the Crimes Against Humanity Act, by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lloyd Axworthy.

In his letter to the ministers, Eugene Czolij, president of the (UCC), stated the following:

"Based upon our review of Bill C-19, it would seem that the government of Canada is in the process of adopting the position of dealing with alleged war criminals through the criminal justice system as opposed to denaturalization and deportation proceedings. This is a positive move and one which we have been advocating for more than a decade.

"Given this apparent change, the UCC believes that [Canadians should be provided] with ... a clear statement that a new approach is being undertaken as it relates to alleged war criminals or those accused of crimes against humanity and that denaturalization and deportation proceedings will no longer be utilized."

In a letter to Minister Axworthy, UCC President Czolij wrote:

"The UCC has further noted, that while being extensively involved in the drafting and development of the Rome Statute, the government of Canada has chosen to have Canadian courts treat differently crimes alleged to have been committed outside Canada than the International Criminal Court would treat those crimes under Rome Statute.

"In addition, from our review, it appears that Bill C-19 would treat crimes alleged to have been committed in Canada differently from those alleged to have been committed outside Canada.

"The UCC, in keeping with its traditional policy of equal and fair treatment under the law, and based upon its review of this proposed legislation believes that the same rules should apply to crimes specified in Bill C-19, whether they are alleged to have been committed inside Canada or outside Canada."

In addition, the UCC has requested a meeting with Minister Axworthy and his officials to "discuss this important legislative initiative in order to continue to work in building a fair and equitable process on these important issues." Similar meetings were requested with Ministers McLellan and Caplan.

Mr. Czolij also provided Mr. Axworthy with a copy of a legal overview of the proposed legislation prepared for the UCC by Peter K. Doody. This overview will form the basis of the presentation to be made by the UCC, should it be invited to appear before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development once the bill has passed second reading.

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