Document - Canada: Further information on Possible Prisoner of Conscience: Jeremy Hinzman (m)
PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 20/007/2008 24 September 2008
Further Information on UA 253/08 (AMR 20/005/2008, 11 September 2008) - Possible Prisoner of Conscience
CANADA Jeremy Hinzman (m), conscientious objector
Jeremy Hinzman and his family have been allowed to stay in Canada until the country’s Federal Court decides whether or not to review their case.
Jeremy Hinzman and his family arrived in Canada in August 2004. He applied for refugee status but his application was rejected. He subsequently appealed to the Federal Court and then Supreme Court to have this decision reviewed. Both appeals failed. Jeremy Hinzman also submitted two other petitions, both seeking permission to remain in Canada. These petitions were also rejected. He appealed these decisions and the court has yet to decide whether or not to grant the appeal.
In July, Jeremy Hinzman was issued with a deportation order. He submitted an application to the Federal Court requesting that he and his family be allowed to remain in Canada until the appeal of his previous petitions is decided. Jeremy Hinzman and his family were granted a stay on their deportation the day before they were due to be deported on 23 September.
Jeremy Hinzman fled to Canada to avoid being sent to Iraq because of his conscientious objection to the war there. If deported, he risks being court-martialled and jailed for between one and five years. If convicted, Amnesty International would consider him a prisoner of conscience.