Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

U.S. AWOL soldier Shepherd appeals against the rejection of his application for political asylum

Severe criticism of the decision of the Federal Bureau from peace and refugee-aid organizations

(07.04.2011) The U.S. AWOL soldier André Shepherd today instructed his attorney to institute legal proceedings against the negative ruling on his application for asylum by the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Federal Bureau of Migration and Refugees] that was served two days ago. At a press conference held by Connection e.V., PRO ASYL, and the Military Counseling Network in Frankfurt am Main, he commented at length.

Canada: Church of Misfits Harbors American War Resister

(21.09.2010) First United Church in East Vancouver describes itself as "a community at the margins." The surrounding neighborhood on East Hastings hosts perhaps the largest outdoor assemblage of addicts, pushers, prostitutes, and mentally-disturbed persons in North America. The church itself houses as many as three hundred homeless people a night.

First United also is the place of sanctuary for an American war resister, 32-year old Rodney Watson. Since he can be arrested by Canadian and US authorities if he ventures outside, for one year Watson has taken asylum from war in an asylum of homeless misfits.

U.S. AWOL soldier André Shepherd receives award from German newspaper

No decision yet in German asylum process

(20.09.2010) Connection e.V. and Military Counseling Network welcome the announcement that the taz newspaper awarded its Panther Prize to U.S. AWOL soldier André Shepherd on Saturday, September 18^th. „This is a clear sign that the German public stands in solidarity with Shepherd“, Rudi Friedrich of Connection e.V. stated today. “We are now urging the German migration authorities to finally grant André Shepherd the necessary asylum protection."

Canada: Federal Court of Appeal rules in favour of Iraq War resister Jeremy Hinzman and family

Immigration Minister must act as directed by Parliament and let US resisters stay in Canada

(06.07.2010) Toronto—This afternoon the Federal Court of Appeal issued its unanimous judgment that an immigration officer’s decision rejecting Jeremy Hinzman’s application for permanent residence in Canada was “significantly flawed” and “unreasonable.” The Federal Court of Appeal decided that the Federal Court erred in a June 2, 2009 ruling by dismissing the application by U.S. Iraq war resister Jeremy Hinzman for judicial review of a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) Officer’s humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds decision.