The Japanese American Citizens League issued a statement Jan. 23 “mourn(ing) the passing of Angus Macbeth, who served as special counsel to the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) and headed its staff. The CWRIC report, “Personal Justice Denied,” and its recommendations formed the basis for the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.” The bill presented reparations and an official apology to Japanese Americans who were imprisoned in U.S. concentration camps or whose civil rights were denied by their government during World War II.

“Established by Congress in 1980, the CWRIC was charged with investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding (then President Franklin D.) Roosevelt’s issuance of EO 9066 and with recommending appropriate remedies.” The commission held hearings — which featured testimonies from witnesses — in 10 cities.

The report found that “the policy of exclusion, removal and detention was systematically conducted by the U. S. government despite the fact that no documented evidence of espionage or sabotage was shown, and there was not direct military necessity for detention,” the statement said.