Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler: "Canada Is Not A Safe Haven For Persons Who Have Committed Crimes Against Humanity, Regardless Of When Or Where They Were Committed"

(Clearwisdom.net) On September 30, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Honorable Irwin Cotler , wrote an encouraging letter to the Falun Dafa Association of Canada regarding the request to bar Jiang Zemin and other perpetrators of the persecution against Falun Gong from entering Canada or to prosecute them for Crimes Against Humanity if they do set foot on Canadian soil. Minister Cotler said in the letter that "Canada is not, and will not become, a safe haven for persons who have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, or other reprehensible acts regardless of when or where they were committed." Below is the text of the letter from Minister Cotler, which was addressed to the President of the Falun Dafa Association of Canada..

Dear [name omitted]

Thank you for your correspondence of January 20, 2004, on behalf of the Falun Dafa Association of Canada, concerning Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program. Your views are important to me, and officials in my correspondence unit regret that your letter was delayed.

As you may know, Canada has jurisdiction under the Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Act to prosecute persons who were involved in genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity outside of Canada if either the perpetrator or the victim was a citizen of Canada when the crimes were committed. Furthermore, Canada may take jurisdiction over the matter if the perpetrator is present in Canada after the crime has been continued, regardless of the citizenship of the perpetrator or the victim at the time of the offence.

The policy of the Canadian Government in this matter is unequivocal. Canada is not, and will not become, a safe haven for persons who have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, or other reprehensible acts regardless of when or where they were c ommitted .

I am aware that you met with Department of Justice Canada officials on February 4, 2004, to further explore appropriate action. I trust that the meeting was productive, and that it strengthened your confidence in Canada's commitment to uphold human rights.

Thank you again for writing, and for your advocacy in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Irwin Cotler

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

The Honorable Irwin Cotler, RC., O.C.,

Ottawa, Canada KlA OH8