International Law

At least 1500 war criminals in Canada

By immlawyer

A Quebec court has sentenced a Rwandan man to the harshest penalty possible under Canadian law.

What is relevant for the purposes of immigration law and policy is that the Rwandan national, Désiré Munyaneza, arrived in Canada and attempted to claim refugee protection, which was refused.

Having worked at the Refugee Protection Division, I came across others that should have faced charges in Canada for their activities. This did not happen. I once come across a self-professed leader of the Sipah-e-Sihaba - a banned terrorist organization in Pakistan. Strangely he alleged persecution from victims of the group in his attempt to seek protection/asylum. In this case, the claim was clawed back and sent to an admissibility hearing. I do not know what became of the SSP leader, but hope that he was removed from this country. 

It seems that 1500 war criminals or others that abuse human rights are in Canada. Included in that number may be convicted terrorists such as Parminder Saini, who is now seeking admission to the Law Society of Upper Canada. 

While I applaud the fact that justice has been served in Munyaneza's matter, it is disconcerting that there are so many others, known and unknown, that continue to reside in this country after participation in heinous acts abroad.

Full post as published by Canadian Immigration Blawg on October 31, 2009 (boomark / email).