U.S. Army Deserter Seeks Refugee Status in Canada

(Toronto) U.S. Army deserter, Jeremy Hinzman, 25, will appear before a Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board today to request that he be given political refugee status. As an Army paratrooper, Hinzman served in Afghanistan before deserting upon reassignment to Iraq. By refusing to fight in Iraq, he claims that he is following international law because the UN never authorized use of force.

According to former refugee judge and immigration expert, Audrey Macklin, no American has ever been granted refugee status in Canada. However, it's believed that recent prisoner abuse incidents increases the probability that it will occur.

If he loses his bid for refugee status, Hinzman will be deported and faces a possible five years in the stockade if convicted of desertion.

[Update 12/8/04] Chad Evans at In The Bullpen provides coverage of Hinzman's hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board. It appears that Hinzman doesn't believe in duty, honor, country, nor contracts. And, of course, his testimony is salted and peppered with appropriate horror and boo-hoo stories. My take is that Jeremy Hinzman is a sniveling, easily-manipulated coward.