GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, March 1, 1988 - The War Amputations of Canada announced today that the United Nations Human Rights Commission has yet to make a formal decision on the claim of the Hong Kong veterans for compensation against Japan. The claim is based on the atrocities and the brutal treatment suffered in Japanese PoW camps.

Brian Forbes, legal council for The War Amps, stated by phone that the Human Rights Commission reviewed the claim under a procedure known as Resolution 1503. The resolution deals with claims involving the gross violations of human rights.

"Our sources at the United Nations indicate that there is general agreement that a gross violation of human rights occurred but that to date, legal and political considerations have made it difficult for the Human Rights Commission to direct the Japanese to compensate the Hong Kong PoWs," he stated.

Leading human rights experts and non-governmental organizations which are strongly supportive of The War Amps initiative, have encouraged The War Amps to pursue the matter through the presentation to the UN of a draft declaration.

Dr. John Humphrey, former director of the UN's Human Rights division and legal consultant to The War Amps, feels that such a declaration could accomplish two things.

"Firstly, it will provide a standard of international conduct that will require countries which have committed gross violations of human rights to compensate the victims of these violations, including the victims of war crimes against humanity," explained Humphrey. "In turn, through its adoption by the UN, it will bolster the claim of the Hong Kong veterans for compensation against Japan.

In attempting to get recognition for their claim, Forbes and Humphrey have been working in close consultation with Amnesty International, the International Commission of Jurists and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"We've been most impressed with the level of support from these groups," stated Forbes. "However," he added, "it is incumbent upon The War Amps to maintain the pressure on Japan for appropriate compensation for the brutality experienced by these Canadian veterans."

As Patron of the Hong Kong Veterans Association, Cliff Chadderton, Chief Executive of The War Amps has been responsible for spear-heading the claim. Upon hearing of Forbes' update today, he stated The War Amps would continue to push for compensation.

"The War Amps have accepted the role within the Canadian veterans community as the leading advocate for the victims of war and the need to compensate these victims for disabilities suffered as a consequence of war crimes, crimes against humanity or gross violations of human rights," he stated.

"As war amputees, we are only too familiar with the suffering and disabilities arising out of war."