Two U.S. army deserters who fled to Canada and sought refugee status on the grounds of their opposition to the war in Iraq have lost their bids to have the Supreme Court of Canada hear their cases.
The court refused today to hear the appeals of Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey, who were rejected by the Immigration and Refugee Board in 2005.
The board ruled they would not be at risk of their lives if they returned to the United States, nor were they at risk of "cruel and unusual treatment or punishment."
Both would face jail time if convicted of desertion.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/276771
2007-11-15 05:31:41 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Sounds like Canada does not want any more losers.
2007-11-15 05:37:09 · answer #1 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
It was a correct ruling.
#1. While Canada will not return draft dodgers, these guys volunteered to serve and then deserted. Canada has always returned deserters, even during the Vietnam War.
#2. Jail time is not considered a cruel or unusual punishment. Canada itself uses that as a punishment.
However, if either of these two deserted in Iraq or Afghanistan and were under fire when they did it, leaving other soldiers at risk, they could be executed for it. Desertion in the face of the enemy is still on the books as a capital offense. Canada would not return them if that were the case as they do not deport people who could be put to death for their crimes. Guess these guys just deserted state side.
2007-11-15 14:40:25 · answer #2 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree. This is not like Vietnam when the draft was in effect and quiet a few people were honestly opposed to the war. No one is in the services that does not originally want to be today. I won't support gagging service men and women from speaking up if they honestly do oppose it. But I won't support desertion as a way of avoiding war service under these conditions as well. If the draft is reinstalled and it still may well come to that, I will have to rethink my answer.
2007-11-15 15:01:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Good for the Canadians,
that means anybody else doing a runner better head South, the yellow streak on their backs will blend in with the desert landscape far better down there.
When you join the military you don't get the right to pick and choose where you want to serve, bet they had no problems taking their pay before they ran.
2007-11-15 15:31:26 · answer #4 · answered by conranger1 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
As an OIF Vet I can say that if a person doesn't want to go just dishonorably discharge them and get them out. All they do is get in our way in the sandbox and cause us aggrevation. There's enough of us over there that do want to kick some Islamic Extremist *** so if they don't want to be there just get them out of the military and canada won't have to deal with this problem either.
2007-11-15 13:53:05 · answer #5 · answered by sabresfan4ever1981 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Serves those two right. They are soldiers. They do not make the decisions when it comes to war.
It is not theirs to wonder why, it is theirs, but to do and die.
A soldier should be a soldier first and foremost, not an anti-war politician. These boys knew what they where getting them selves into when they enlisted. They where probably hoping for a free ride and education, now when they are needed, they tuck tail and run.
Lock em up.
2007-11-15 13:41:16 · answer #6 · answered by theCATALYST 5 · 11⤊ 0⤋
Canada should have sent them back a long time ago. It's about time. I hope those two dirt bags get some time in Leavenworth for this.
2007-11-15 14:58:59 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
it appears that canada is getting tired of freeloaders. those 2 should get jail for desertion. it's a voluntary forceand they joined for a free education.
if the court marshall for desertion was for cowardice in combat then it's the death penalty.
if not then it's straight to jail
2007-11-15 13:46:02 · answer #8 · answered by Airbound Gabe 3 · 8⤊ 0⤋
I am Canadian and former military and I agree with the Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case.
When you sign up for the military, you knowingly accept all that comes with it. Even if that involves fighting a pointless war with no end in sight. Price of citizenship.
Now, if there was a draft and draft dodgers came to Canada the situation would change and they would be welcome in Canada with open arms. I'm sure that I could find a spare room for one to stay.
2007-11-15 13:42:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 3⤋
Three cheers for Canada.
2007-11-15 13:38:51 · answer #10 · answered by TedEx 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋