US soldiers seek asylum in Canada
michael c | 12.07.2004 10:25 | Anti-militarism
Two US soldiers pleading for asylum in Canada after walking out on their units over fierce objections to the Iraq war have appeared in a Toronto courtroom.
Both men argue they face prosecution tantamount to persecution in the US because of their strong political beliefs and should therefore be granted haven in Canada.
Both men argue they face prosecution tantamount to persecution in the US because of their strong political beliefs and should therefore be granted haven in Canada.
Accusing the US government of persecuting them for their political beliefs, two US soldiers, Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey, are seeking political asylum in Canada.
Hinzman, who formerly served with the 82nd Airborne Brigade in Afghanistan, moved with his wife and children to Canada upon learning the Army intended to deploy him to Iraq. Hinzman twice applied for conscientious objector status after becoming involved with the Religious Society of Friends, known also as the Quakers.
According to his support website, the military told Hinzman that his first application had been lost. His subsequent request was denied for not meeting the Army’s criteria because, according to his website, he said at his hearing that should he be personally assaulted, he could not always turn the other cheek.
support website:
http://www.brandonhughey.org
story on Aljazeera:
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/82045E8A-05AD-42FF-929A-A58740173248.htm
Hinzman, who formerly served with the 82nd Airborne Brigade in Afghanistan, moved with his wife and children to Canada upon learning the Army intended to deploy him to Iraq. Hinzman twice applied for conscientious objector status after becoming involved with the Religious Society of Friends, known also as the Quakers.
According to his support website, the military told Hinzman that his first application had been lost. His subsequent request was denied for not meeting the Army’s criteria because, according to his website, he said at his hearing that should he be personally assaulted, he could not always turn the other cheek.
support website:
http://www.brandonhughey.org story on Aljazeera:
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/82045E8A-05AD-42FF-929A-A58740173248.htm
michael c
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