- Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act
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The Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act (2000, c. 24) (CAHWCA) is a statute of the Parliament of Canada. The Act implements Canada's obligations under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. In passing the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act on 24 June 2000 and having Royal Assent given on 29 June 2000, Canada became the first country in the world to incorporate the obligations of the Rome Statute into its domestic laws.[1]
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Like the Rome Statute, the CAHWCA criminalizes genocide, crimes against humanity, and a variety of war crimes. A person in Canada may be prosecuted for these offences even if the acts were committed outside of Canadian territory. However, the Act stipulates that no prosecution for these crimes can be proceeded with without the approval of the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General. In order to fully implement the Rome Statute, the CAHWCA amended the Criminal Code, the Extradition Act, and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act.
Trials
Main article: Désiré MunyanezaOn 19 October 2005, Désiré Munyaneza, a Rwandan immigrant living in Toronto, became the first person arrested and charged with an offence under the CAHWCA. Munyaneza was charged with two counts of genocide, two counts of crimes against humanity, and three counts of war crimes for actions allegedly committed in Rwanda in 1994.[2][3]
On 22 May 2009, Munyaneza was convicted of all charges and is the first person to have been convicted under the CAHWCA.[4] On 29 October 2009, Munyaneza was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.[5][6]
A second Rwandan, Jacques Mungwarere, was charged with "an act of genocide" under the Act on 7 November 2009.[7] The Royal Canadian Mounted Police alleges that he committed this act in the western Rwandan city of Kibuye, and that his case is connected to that of Munyaneza.
Notes
- ^ Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, gc.ca.
- ^ "Toronto man charged with Rwandan war crimes". CBC News. 2005-10-19. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2005/10/19/rwanda_051019.html. Retrieved 2007-02-22.
- ^ "No bail for man accused of Rwandan war crimes". CBC News. 2006-04-27. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/04/27/war-crimes-bail060427.html. Retrieved 2007-02-22.
- ^ "Quebec court convicts Munyaneza of war crimes in Rwanda", CBC News, 22 May 2009.
- ^ BBC NEWS | Americas | Canada jails Rwandan war criminal
- ^ CTV News | Munyaneza handed life sentence for war crimes
- ^ Brewster, Murray (2009-11-07). "RCMP charge alleged Rwandan war criminal after 6-year probe". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/rcmp-charge-alleged-rwandan-war-criminal-after-6-year-probe/article1355433/. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
External links
- Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, official version
Canada and war crimesMain Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals in Canada, Bill C-215; Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes ActCanadian-born individuals convicted of war crimes Canadian-born individuals charged with war crimes Canadian immigrants charged with war crimes Imre Finta, Michael Pawlowski, Stephen Reistetter, Helmut Rauca, Jacob Luitjens, Josip Budimcic, Désiré Munyaneza, Léon Mugesera, Radislav Grujicic. Jacques MungwarereForeigners charged with war crimes by Canada Kurt MeyerInternational Criminal Court (ICC) Legal texts International Rome Statute (amendments) · Agreement on Privileges and Immunities · Agreements on the Enforcement of Sentences · Geneva Conventions · United Nations CharterUN resolutions General Assembly Security Council National American Service-Members' Protection Act (United States) · Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act (Canada) · International Criminal Court Act 2001 (United Kingdom) · Twenty-third Amendment of the Constitution (Ireland) · Völkerstrafgesetzbuch (Germany)
Crimes Organisation States parties List of states parties · Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Assembly of States Parties · Review ConferenceCourt Presidency · Judges (election, 2011)Investigations Official Complaints IraqIndividuals Detainees · IndicteesOther American Non-Governmental Organizations Coalition for the ICC · Coalition for the ICC · European Union and the ICC · United States and the ICC · World Day for International JusticeCategories:- 2000 in law
- Canadian federal legislation
- Canadian criminal law
- International Criminal Court
- 2000 in Canada
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