André Shepherd

André Shepherd

Solidarity with U.S. AWOL soldier André Shepherd

Invitation to press conference, support action and court hearing

by Pro Asyl, Connection e.V., Bavarian Refugee Council, DFG-VK Bavaria, MAPC und MCN

Conscientious objectors and deserters need political asylum

On 23 January 2013, the Munich Administrative Court will be hearing the case of the request for asylum submitted in November 2008 by the U.S. AWOL soldier André Shepherd.

35-year-old André Shepherd joined the U.S. Army in 2004, and after training, was deployed to Iraq as a mechanic for Apache helicopters for six months. After returning to his unit, stationed in Katterbach, Bavaria, he gave a lot of thought to what the U.S. military is doing to the civilian population in Iraq. Finally, he went AWOL and applied for political asylum in Germany. In his application, Shepherd relies on the Qualification Directive of the European Union, which has been in force since October 2006. This is intended to protect those who evade a war or other activities that violate international law, and must expect persecution.

Thus André Shepherd’s request for political asylum will set a precedent.

Pro Asyl, the conscientious objectors network Connection e.V., the Bavarian Refugee Council, the German Peace Association (DFG-VK), Bavarian section, the Munich American Peace Committee (MAPC), and Military Counseling Network e.V. (MCN) invite you to come to Munich for this.

Wednesday, 23 January 2013 in Munich

10:30: Press conference at the Eine-Welt-Haus, Schwanthalerstr. 80, with

 - André Shepherd

 - Reinhard Marx, attorney-at-law

 - Bernd Mesovic, Pro Asyl

 - Rudi Friedrich, Connection e.V.

12:00: Support action in front of the Munich Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgericht), Bayerstr. 30

13:00: Hearing in the Administrative Court, Bayerstr. 30

 

We will be happy to answer your questions. Further information is available at www.Connection-eV.org/en_shepherd

Pro Asyl, Connection e.V., Bavarian Refugee Council, DFG-VK Bavaria, Munich American Peace Committee and Military Counseling Network e.V.: Press release, January 15, 2013

Keywords:    ⇒ Andre Shepherd   ⇒ Asylum   ⇒ AWOL   ⇒ CO and Asylum   ⇒ Europe   ⇒ Germany   ⇒ USA