Canadians renew pressure on Harper government to implement votes of Parliament
TORONTO—On Tuesday afternoon the Federal Court of Canada granted Kimberly Rivera leave to appeal the decision in her Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). The Federal Court will hear the appeal on July 8.
The War Resisters Support Campaign is renewing its call on the federal government to implement the motion that was passed by Parliament on June 3, 2008 and again on March 30, 2009.
“Regardless of Jason Kenney’s personal animosity toward those who’ve refused to fight George W. Bush’s war in Iraq, the majority of Canadians want these war resisters to stay in Canada,†said Michelle Robidoux. “Parliament has voted twice to let them stay and if Stephen Harper were committed to fairness and justice like most Canadians, he’d implement the vote of Parliament today.â€
Kimberly Rivera is the first female Iraq War resister to seek refuge in Canada. Kimberly, along with her partner Mario, son Christian (7 years old) and daughter Rebecca (4 years old), fled to Canada in January 2007 when Kimberly refused redeployment. In late November 2008 Kimberly gave birth to her Canadian daughter Katie (5 months old). She served in Iraq in 2006 and experienced, firsthand, the reality of this illegal war.
“I want to stay in Canada, with my family, because the Iraq War is immoral, illegal and I couldn’t in good conscience go back,†said Kimberly Rivera. “The amount of support I’m getting from Canadians is amazing. The parents of my kids’ friends, MPs and even strangers on the street keep telling me that they can’t believe the votes in Parliament aren’t being respected.â€
Last June, a public opinion poll conducted by Angus Reid Strategies found widespread approval for the House of Commons’ vote in support of war resisters. Sixty-four per cent of Canadians, and a majority of voters in every region of the country, agree that the federal government should immediately stop the deportation of Iraq War resisters and establish a program to facilitate their requests for permanent resident status.
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For further information, please contact:
Michelle Robidoux, Spokesperson, War Resisters Support Campaign, 416-856-5008; or
Ken Marciniec, Communications Volunteer, War Resister Support Campaign, 416-803-6066, kmarciniec@sympatico.ca.
What she experienced first hand was a complete case of “lost her nerve” and she broke her oath to the United States.
When she decided to desert, the thought that IRAQ was an illegal or immoral war never crossed her mind. She was simply afraid of getting killed over there. That’s understandable, but spare me the crap about Illegal wars. It’s all smoke and mirrors for someone who doesn’t want to admit they are afraid.
Yes well she’s not going back ANY time soon is she James? And having given Canada a DAUGHTER who IS Canadian? Why SHOULD she? You want cowardice? How about YOU supporting the ILLEGAL war in Iraq & denouncing the cowardice of a woman whose 50 TIMES braver than you & who SERVED OUT THERE!!! YOU sir are the REAL coward Hidden behind your keyboard spouting off – Why don’t YOU face the bombs & bullets & fanatics as SHE did & THEN see if YOU keep courage as you accuse HER of not doing? Idiot – Women are meant to GIVE life NOT take it – It’s unnatural to expect them to do so & if THEY above ALL others? Change their minds on it? That is THEIR perogative & the scum running the US army who effectively bullied her INTO joining the army as a kid & then like the cowards THEY are threatened her kids & husband in their pathetic little tantrum at her doing what was right for HER have NO right to stop her – And after her being in Canada for more than HALF a decade now? Nor WILL they. To late fool – She’s there to STAY in what is now her HOMEland. You’ll NEVER get rid of her now & Rightly so……………..