OTTAWA, ON, March 17, 1988 -The War Amputations of Canada has been advised that their claim for Hong Kong PoWs will be placed on the agenda of the United Nations Human Rights Commission for further discussion. This report came today from Brian Forbes, Association solicitor, who has been furthering The War Amps' claim during meetings of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva.

In conjunction with the meetings in Geneva, Cliff Chadderton, War Amps Chief Executive, will be giving a major presentation on the claim to a meeting of the World Veterans Federation in Bad Ischl, Austria on Friday, April 22.

As well, The War Amps has been requested to circulate a draft declaration which it prepared in conjunction with the claim, to interested organizations who were present at the meetings in Geneva: the International Commission of Health Professionals; Amnesty International; the International Committee of the Red Cross; the World Veterans Federation; and the International Commission of Jurists.

The declaration, which has been prepared with the help of Dr. John Humphrey, former director with the Human Rights Commission and now a professor at McGill University in Montreal, will provide a standard of international conduct for human rights.

The declaration, if adopted, will require countries which have committed gross violations, including human rights, to compensate the victims of these violations, including the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Through its adoption, the declaration may pave the way for the claim of the Hong Kong PoWs.

Forbes and Humphrey reported from Geneva that all of the above organizations are "favourably disposed" to supporting the declaration.

Indications are that the declaration may be presented to the Human Rights Subcommittee during their hearings this coming August in New York. If approved, the declaration could go on to the UN General Assembly for formal adoption.

It's possible however, that the Subcommittee will want to study the declaration prior to August.

The Hong Kong PoWs' claim is based on the atrocities and brutal treatment inflicted upon them in Japanese prison camps. It was submitted to the UN in the form of a 600-page brief and supported by a two-year medical study. The veterans want additional compensation for the 44 months of internment. They originally received $1 per day in 1952. For those veterans who have died since the war, their survivors will receive compensation.

The emotional and physical scars from four years imprisonment in atrocious conditions have left many unable to cope with daily life; many suffer from heart disease and constant debilitating fatigue.

The veterans, part of a Canadian army force sent to strengthen the British garrison in Hong Kong, were taken prisoner after a bitter 17-day fight when Japan invaded the island on December 8, 1941.