In a refreshingly sensible ruling, a Canadian immigration board denied the refugee claim of Jeremy Hinzman, an American who joined the army cause he figured it would be a cheap way to pay for university, and then fled to Canada when he discovered that – doh – he might actually have to fight a war:
An immigration board ruled that Jeremy Hinzman had not convinced its members he would face persecution or cruel and unusual punishment if returned to the United States.
Seven other American military personnel have applied for refugee status, and Hinzman’s lawyer estimated dozens of others are in hiding in Canada waiting to see how the government ruled.
I can understand fleeing a draft when you don’t support a war. But if you volunteer for the army, then that’s a whole different ball game.
I don’t bear Hinzman any ill will. If he goes to Iraq, I hope no harm befalls him or any other American soldier. If he chooses to object, he can serve his sentence for desertion. But the US army isn’t just an education finance program, and Hinzman should have understood that and known the risks when he signed up. And it’s refreshing to see Canada recognize this instead of revert to our typical “Bush is wrong and America sucks” attitude.
Now, if only he’d bothered to join Hezbollah or the Tamil Tigers before showing up here…
He will be persecuted if he returns to the U.S. and so will his family. I am originally FROM the U.S.
The government WILL punish him and he may end up In Iraq, and you know if he goes there, his ass is finished. Some of those men will make it hell on earth for him.
I hate the current administration like many others. And I speak out against it as well. This war was unjust.
There is a miliatry code, you dont desert the country you fight for, that is a certain Affront to everything that the U.S. Military stands for.
This issue is far from finished. You don’t think the U.S. persecutes those who disagree, well think again.
You should have seen it after 9-11 I was there in Florida. I watched it happen. You dont speak out against the Govt or the armed services, lest you be jailed, punished or taken away !!
Jeremy
Montreal.
A man’s character is his fate.
Heraclitus, On the Universe
Greek philosopher (540 BC – 480 BC)
Jeremy,
I live in the U.S. (expat). I meet people who deride the current administration every day. Guess what? None have been sent to jail. This soldier will be prosecuted (note the difference) for desertion. He will serve up to 5 years in a military prison. He will have a criminal record for the rest of his life. And he knew the consequences of his actions when he voluntarily signed up.
As it stands, the right to criticize, mock, slander, etc. the current government has not been dented. The difference is that the supporters of the administration are talking back.
Jerermy Hinzman and that Hughey guy made some bad decisions. In georgia we have a conscious objector from Ft. Stewart, he is against the war in Iraq and has refused to go. They (US Army) are talking maybe a year in the slammer. And what about the defector to North Korea back in the 60’s? He got 30 days and was out in 25 days good behavior. I can’t respect a deserter, but do respect someone who’ll spend a little time in jail for his or her beliefs. Oh, and to the one previous poster, folks south of you slam this nation day by day, last I checked, we as you are out walking around free. Try that on under someone like Sadam Hussein.
Roy
Roy; yeh, but the deserter to N. Korea had to spend 40 YEARS in that country. Sentence might as well have been for time served..;)
I’m guessing it was a Freudian slip on your part but it’s actually “conscientious objector”