September 1, 2004

Hon. Judy Sgro, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
BY FAX
RE: Oberlander

Dear Minister:

I write on behalf of Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) respectfully urging you to present a revised report to the Governor-in-Council recommending again the denaturalization and deportation of Helmut Oberlander.

An inordinate amount of time has already been expended on this case with full recourse to Canadian due process. It is our hope, therefore, that the Cabinet will expeditiously review a redrafted report that addresses the procedural concerns cited by the Federal Court of Appeal in its May 2004 decision. It remains our view that Canadian citizenship and residence must not be further tarnished by a member of einsatzkommando 10A.

Furthermore, while we support the judicialization of the revocation process as set out in recent citizenship legislation that died on the Order Paper, it is imperative that pending such a change the government undertake decisive action under the current system in all of the cases that await your recommendation to the Governor-in-Council.

Madame Minister, knowing your commitment to justice and human rights, we are confident of your determination to deny safe haven in Canada to individuals implicated in war crimes and crimes against humanity, both from the Second World War and from more contemporary conflicts. In this context, we draw to your attention that CJC has been granted intervener status before the Supreme Court of Canada in support of your appeal in the Mugesera case.

We at CJC would be pleased to meet with you at your earliest convenience, in either Toronto or Ottawa, to discuss these, and other, matters within your departmental jurisdiction. In the meantime, I thank you for your consideration of the above and reiterate the need for urgent action on the Oberlander file.

Sincerely,

Ed Morgan
National President

c. Hon. Irwin Cotler, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada