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03-Jun-2004

War resister support group lobbies Canadian government to open borders

by: Christine Penington

North America: Two bills currently pending in the United States House and Senate (S89 and HR 163) entitled the Universal National Service Act of 2003 are aimed “to provide for the common defence by requiring that all young persons [age 18-26] in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defence and homeland security, and for other purposes”. The bills would mean compulsory military service for both men and women. In addition, higher education would no longer be a shelter, underclassmen would only be able to postpone service until the end of their current semester. Seniors would have until the end of the academic year.

In December 2001, Canada and the US signed a "smart border declaration," making it more difficult for these young adults to seek refuge in Canada. Signed by Canada's minister of foreign affairs, John Manley, and US Homeland Security director, Tom Ridge, the declaration involves a 30-point plan which implements a "pre-clearance agreement" of people entering and departing each country.

The new bilateral border agreement is a distant cry from the Vietnam era, when more than 50,000 young adults made the move from the United States to Canada to escape the war. At that time Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudea welcomed the refugees, "Those who make the conscientious judgment that they must not participate in this war... have my complete sympathy, and indeed our political approach has been to give them access to Canada. Canada should be a refuge from militarism."

In anticipation of compulsory military service, two men have already made the move to Canada. Jeremy Hinzman, a soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division, arrived in Toronto with his family in January 2004. Brandon Hughey, a 19-year-old soldier, is seeking refuge in St Catharines. If returned to the United States , both men will face incarceration and, technically, the death penalty.

The War Resisters Support Campaign, a broad- based coalition of community organisations, has created a petition aimed at Canada’s federal government to allow those who refuse to fight to seek refuge in Canada. Signatories include June Callwood, David Suzuki, Maude Barlow, Shirley Douglas, Naomi Klein, Anne- Marie MacDonald and MG Vassanji. You can add your name to the petition through the link below.
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/resister/petition.html

Source: War Resisters Support Campaign