nwasianweekly.com
June 28, 2008

Possible investigations into Japanese Latin American internments

The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act, introduced in the House of Representatives last year as H.R. 662, would create a commission to investigate the internment of over 2,200 persons of Japanese ancestry from 13 Latin American countries by the U.S. government during World War II.

The House Judiciary Committee has now scheduled a hearing for July 31 to consider the bill calling for the commission, introduced by Rep. Xavier Becerra, Rep. Dan Lungren, Rep. Mike Honda and Rep. Chris Cannon.

The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil

Liberties will hold a hearing on this bipartisan effort. The subcommittee will hear testimonies from several witnesses, including members of Congress, scholars, community supporters and former internees themselves.

If established, the commission would investigate U.S. government policies and actions resulting in wartime violations (including hostage-taking, indefinite internment without charge or trial, forced labor and placement of civilians into war zones) and make recommendations for any appropriate remedies to Congress based on their findings.

The commissioners would be composed of nine members, three each appointed by the president, speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate.

A community delegation of former Japanese Latin American internees and supporters will travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the congressional hearing.

For more information, contact info@campaignforjusticejla.org.

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