By DAVID WOODING
Whitehall Editor
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Jack Straw vowed to close legal loopholes which allow those suspected of atrocities to escape trial.
More than 400 have been referred to police or immigration chiefs for action.
But they cannot be deported because sending them home to face the death penalty would breach their human rights.
Now the Justice Secretary is to change the law so those suspected of genocide, war crime or crime against humanity abroad can be tried in this country.
Under existing law, Britain only has power to prosecute for offences committed after 2001.
This will now be extended to January 1, 1991 – covering horrific events in Rwanda and Bosnia.
The law change will pave the way for brutal killers to finally be brought to court.
It will mean Britain is no longer a safe haven for those who commit heinous crimes anywhere in the world.
Four Rwandans wanted for their part in the 1994 massacre could be among the first to face trial.
They were freed by the Court of Appeal after winning a legal battle against extradition.
Genocide
Emmanual Nteziryayo, now living in Manchester, is accused of taking part in the murder of 87,000 people in the tiny African state.
Dr Vincent Bajinya – now known as Vincent Brown and living in North London – is also accused of genocide.
Others living in Britain include a Somali warlord, officers in Charles Taylor's army in Liberia, a member of the Serb militia and an Angolan hostage-taker.
Immigration files also list child soldiers from Sierra Leone and a member of the country's "Mosquito" rebel group.
Mr Straw said yesterday: "The government is committed to the fight against these heinous crimes.
"We must send a clear message that the UK is no safe haven for those who commit them."
The new laws will apply to all British nationals and residents for crimes such as torture since 1991.
But they will NOT cover asylum seekers or foreigners staying in Britain on student visas.
Mr Straw added: "Our strong preference is for those alleged to have committed such terrible crimes to be brought to justice in the country where the crimes took place, which allows the community that has suffered to see the perpetrators brought to justice.
"But when this is not possible, we are committed to ensuring those guilty of these crimes are punished appropriately and to the full extent of the law in this country."
Last night the move was welcomed by justice campaigners.
Nick Donovan, head of research for war criminal-hunters Aegis Trust, said: "This is a bold move.
"It is as significant as the War Crimes Act which allowed Nazi war criminals to be brought to book.
"However, we wish it had gone further and covered asylum-seekers or those on student or business visas."
Source: The Sun, July 07, 2009