Saturday, 31 January 2009

B.C. court decision upholds Canada's child-sex tourism law

THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER, B.C. — A B.C. court has rejected a constitutional challenge of Canada's child-sex tourism law in the case of a man who faces allegations of abusing children in three countries.

Kenneth Klassen faces 35 charges for the exploitation and sexual abuse of children in Cambodia, Colombia and the Philippines between July 1997 and March 2002.

Klassen challenged the child-sex tourism law, saying the incidents happened in other countries where Canadian courts have no jurisdiction.

The landmark decision means the case against him can now proceed in B.C. Supreme Court.
Only three Canadians - a B.C. man and two Quebec aid workers - have been convicted under Canada's child-sex law.

University of B.C. law professor Benjamin Perrin, an expert in child-sex tourism legislation, says the court decision is a boost for prosecutors, non-governmental organizations and police in the fight against child-sex tourism.

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