January 27, 2016
Montreal—On the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the Canadian Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants (CJHSD), and the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) would like to thank Minister of Foreign Affairs Stéphane Dion for reaffirming Canada’s commitment to Holocaust restitution. The commitment, first made by the previous government, is supported by an all-party consensus.
“Seventy one years after the Holocaust, most Jewish-owned property confiscated by the Nazis has neither been returned to its rightful owners or heirs, nor has compensation been provided. Many Holocaust victims live in poverty while property stolen from them and their family remains in the hands of governments and illegitimate private owners. Our survivor community is aging and deserves restitution now. We must not wait any longer,” said Hank Rosenbaum, Co-President of CJHSD.
“The international community has been unequivocal, as reflected in the Terezin Declaration of 2009, that the failure to secure restitution for survivors with clear and well-documented claims constitutes an ongoing injustice. The time is now for relevant governments to pass legislation that provides timely compensation for property and assets stolen during the Holocaust,” said David J. Cape, Chair of CIJA.
“Seven decades after World War II, we continue to pursue the restitution of Holocaust-era property for survivors worldwide,” said Gideon Taylor, chair of the WJRO. “On this International Day of Remembrance, we call attention to this ‘race against time.’ Victims of Nazi oppression deserve to see a measure of justice during their lifetimes, even at this late date.”
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