NAME OF MECHANISM

Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (Alternative Process)

YEARS OF OPERATION

1980-1983

MANDATE AND OPERATIONS

Mandate: Established by the Congressional Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, to examine the circumstances surrounding the issue and implementation of Exceutive Order 9066, which led to the relocation, exclusion and internment of 110 000 American citizens, mostly of Japanese origin between 1942 and 1945; to assess the impact that this had on those affected; and to review the treatment of relocated Alaskan Aleuts by the US Government. [PH]

Staff: 9 commissioners

Operation: Public hearings were conducted throughout the United States including 3 hearings into Alaska. Extensive research was also conducted and a database of relevant documents and official records was compiled which included materials from the Army, the War Relocation Authority and the FBI.

FINAL REPORT

Personal Justice Denied.  (1982; reprinted 1992)

The report stated that 110 000 people, US civilians and permanent resident aliens, had been relocated and excluded during the war, and that there were no military or security reasons for the internment of Japanese Americans.

The report also ruled that the treatment of the Alaskan Aleuts, who were relocated to isolated camps under US control, was inhumane. The failure of the US to provide reasonable care resulted in widespread illness, disease and death.

In 1988 the US Government passed the Civil Liberties Act acknowledging the injustices that had occurred, formally apologising for them and providing for reparations. A total of $1.2 billion was given out. [PH]