OTTAWA, ON, June 19, 1986 - The War Amps today filed a notice with the United Nations' Sub-Committee on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, in regard to the claim of Canadian servicemen who served with the Hong Kong Force and were taken prisoner by the Japanese during World War II.

The Japanese ambassador to Canada recently replied to previous requests for further indemnification in a letter addressed to Cliff Chadderton, Chief Executive Officer of The War Amps, dated May 21, 1986, but in the letter the Ambassador said that, insofar as the Japanese government is concerned, all claims were settled by the Peace Treaty between Japan and Canada.

Chadderton today said, "The Peace Treaty did indeed provide for nominal reparations for actions taken by Japan in the prosecution of the war. It is the position of The War Amps, however, that the forced slave labour, torture and maltreatment handed out to the Hong Kong PoWs and other Canadians held by the Japanese, goes far beyond acts which might be described as those necessary in the normal prosecution of war."

The claim being lodged with the UN will also request indemnification for the residual effects upon the health of those Canadian servicemen who came home. "The ill effects, which have resulted in severe disablility and incapacity for these war veterans, have been well documented in studies and individual medical examinations over the past 20 years," noted Chadderton.

Based on information provided by the United Nations' Secretariat, the procedure now would be for the UN Sub-Committee on Human Rights to notify the Japanese government regarding the claim being made on behalf of the Hong Kong veterans, thus giving the Japanese an opportunity to negotiate with The War Amps which is representing the Hong Kong veterans in this claim.

"In the event the Japanese refuse such negotiations, it is the intention of The War Amps to carry out appropriate legal steps to proceed to an ultimate hearing before the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva," stated Chadderton.