Deserter awaits ruling

[stevedeshazer]

U.S. Army deserter Jeremy Hinzman admits the idea of an American claiming refugee status in Canada sounds "preposterous." But the paratrooper remains convinced he and his family will be persecuted if he is sent home to face the music for going AWOL on the eve of his unit's deployment to Iraq.

The 26-year-old's three-day refugee hearing wrapped up in Toronto yesterday. Afterward, Hinzman said he believes his life would be at risk in a military prison -- and the danger likely wouldn't end once he had completed the estimated one- to five-year sentence he could end up serving.

"I think we all know the climate of the States right now is kind of hostile to any sort of dissent," Hinzman said, explaining he expects he would encounter "social persecution" that would make just finding a job difficult.

Hinzman, who volunteered for four years of military service in 2001, primarily for the government-funded college education, has told the tribunal he gradually realized he couldn't be a killer. He tried twice to have himself declared a conscientious objector by the U.S. Army and moved into a non-combat role, but was unsuccessful in both attempts.

more: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/12/09/775199.html

[KingChicken]

1. I hope he wins this thing, other troops are starting to take a stand.

Would be good to see an option open to troops who don't want to be forced into the mistake in Iraq.

[stevedeshazer]

3. If he wins, there surely will be many more...

[vpigrad]

2. Using the word deserter...

biases the discussion before it even starts. How about calling him a hero who is fighting for his and other's rights!

[kwyjibo]

4. How can you be denied Conscientious Objector status?

How do they determine whether you are one or not? They decide whether or not you want to kill people instead of letting you make the decision for yourself?

[stevedeshazer]

6. Try this

http://www.objector.org/

[Just Me]

5. They surely accept the hostility towards dissent here in the U.S.

I hope he's allowed to stay. I really do.

On edit: I also hope he will prepare a complete affidavit and send it to John Kerry!!!