Canada Expels Female Iraq War Resister

Another four U.S. Iraq war resisters and their families are facing deportation this month alone, said Michelle Robidoux of the War Resisters Support Campaign.

Approximately 200 American war resisters are believed to be living in Canada.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney yesterday blamed U.S. "deserters" for the backlog in refugee applications, and denied the legitimacy of their claims.

"We're not talking about draft dodgers, we're not talking about resisters," he told Global Television. "We're talking about people who volunteer to serve in the armed forces of a democratic country and simply change their mind to desert and that's fine, that's the decision they have made, but they are not refugees."

Robidoux says the government is ignoring a motion passed by all three opposition parties in the House of Commons last June, urging the government to allow U.S. military deserters and their families to remain in Canada as permanent residents instead of deporting them to face possible jail time.

I agree it is very sad. We had a protest here in Edmonton in support of the Iraq war resisters and there was a very small turnout... I am going to write a letter to my MP about this.

Cowardice in the face of enemey is should be treated with severe punishment. 15 month's of jail is very mild. What did they think when they joined the armed forces? Kind of jolly ride? Did they think that they can just do some pushups and parade in the streets wearing the uniform while enjoying the benifits of being a soldire forever ?

"Humanitarian considerations " should have come before joining the armed forces.

Agent.

Thank you for posting this story.

I just read about this and was very saddened; Canada should represent a safe haven for people facing detrimental conditions in their home nation, whether the US or Congo. Hopefully public outcry might be able to turn the tide on this situation...People should not be forced to fight a war they do not believe in.

'"t is every soldiers right and responsibility to question any orders to commit actions that the soldier considers immoral or gainst the rules of war or international law."

True. And this is not applicable to terrorist suicide bombers because they are not soldires. Latest fashion of terrorists is to employ pregnent and mentally challenged women as suicide bombers. No respobsibilites , no right  problem to any of the parties involved.

El Simplo....

Agent.

moonwolf

I know. Not the same subject, but there is a relation.

Coming back to subject, there are jobs  in which an individual can question the orders and indulge in the extrapolation of the inernational laws at his / her leisure. Military service is not one of them. Whoever do those things while facing an enemey, ceases to exist at  that very moment. 

Kimberly Rivera should have thought about all these before joining military. Did she thought that she will be playing the pied piper in the warfront ?

Agent.

Stephen Harper continues to shame Canada. 

Hey Kimberly, don't let the door hit your ass on the way out!

Many people are extremely disillusioned by war. American ideology paints war as a heroic thing, something noble and honourable that we all benefit from. I don't see this as the true reality. There is a reason people come back from war with serious PTSD and are unable to live normal lives - if they are lucky enough to keep them. The US military recruitment strategy is executed with extreme diligence and people from lower socio-economic situations tend to be the ones on the frontlines. We don't see politicians fighting any wars yet they are the ones perpetuating them. I think Kimberly is human in her realization that this war going on is one where no one is winning and I commend her for leaving and hope she can stay.

No offence, but I don't get this.  Someone joins the military, a system built on following orders no matter how unpopular, and they know that they might be asked to fight in an unpopular conflict, and when they are they claim refugee status?  Huh?  I mean I would be sympathetic if they drafted her, but come on. Fighting in the military has nothing to do with what an individual solidier beleives.  I say too bad, do the jail time get the discharge and get on with your life.  And number one get out of my country.

Lots  of well thought out comments.  I guess we'd have to know if she joined the regular military or got called up from the home guard -- there is a difference.  All military must keep in mind the war crimes trials where the defendants tried to use the 'I was only following orders'.