Canadian Government's Single-Minded Determination to Deny

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WAR RESISTERS SUPPORT CAMPAIGN Mon., July 14, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Canadian government’s single-minded determination to deny legitimacy of conscientious objection denounced Robin Long must leave Canada Toronto/CNW – Today’s Federal Court decision refusing to prevent the removal of conscientious objector Robin Long is a major disappointment for the majority of Canadians, 64% of whom support sanctuary for U.S. soldiers seeking refuge here. It is also at odds with the passage of June 3rd Parliamentary motion calling for the oppor- tunity for conscientious objectors to apply for permanent resident status, and an end to all deportations. “The federal government’s single-minded determination to deny the legitimacy of conscientious objection to what is plainly an illegal war rife with human rights abuses is abhorrent. Robin himself has been harassed by authorities by being arrested for violating a deportation order of which neither he nor his counsel were ever advised,” says Lee Zaslofsky. spokesperson for the War Resisters Support Campaign. “He’s been held in jail since July 4 and treated with disrespect by our government which seems intent on imposing American military law in Canada.” Canadian Immigration authorities – who report to Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley – had kept secret a negative decision on Robin’s Pre-Removal Risk Assessment, making it impossible for his lawyer to file an appeal. “We have received hundreds of messages of support for Robin,” says Bob Ages of the Vancouver War Resisters Support Campaign. “We are calling on Canadians to take immediate action to tell the government that its attempts to overturn Canada’s longstanding tradition of sanctuary will be met with challenges everywhere.” The War Resisters Support Campaign pledges to redouble its efforts on behalf of all conscientious objectors. It will follow Robin’s case, as will U.S. support organizations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Lee Zaslofsky, 416.598.1222/ 416.369-0864/Bob Ages, 604.760.6786. -30- .

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