PLEASE Sign appeal to the German government in support of IVAW member Andre Shepherds Asylum case

[Meike Capps-Schubert]

AWOL US soldier André Shepherd needs asylum

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Sign the appeal to the German government !

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On Nov. 26, 2008, AWOL US soldier André Shepherd applied for asylum in Germany. His tour of duty in Iraq caused him to acknowledge that he could no longer take part in an illegal war which is contrary to the international laws of human rights. Because he does not fit the American military regulations´ definition of a consientious objector, he decided to go Absent Without Leave and apply for asylum in Germany. In his application he pointed to the directive of the European Union, from October 2006. With this directive persons are to be protected who remove themselves from such wars or actions which are against human rights, and then must fear persecution.

Currently, André Shepherd is waiting for a decision from the German migration authorities concerning his application for asylum. Now he needs poliltical and financial support.
Please fill out the form HERE

Appeal to the German Government:

U.S. AWOL André Shepherd needs asylum !
On November 26, 2008, AWOL U.S. soldier André Shepherd applied for asylum in Germany. His tour of duty as a U.S. soldier in Iraq made him convinced that he could no longer participate in a war which breaks international law, or in actions that go against international human rights codes. Since he could not see any possibility of being recognized as a conscientious objector, he went AWOL and applied for asylum in Germany. In his appliction he refers justifiably to the European Union Directive for Qualification which have been in force since October, 2006. This Directive protects anyone who is compelled to withdraw from an illegal war or an illegal act within war and would expect prosecution.
If a soldier wants to observe international law in the Iraq War, he can come to only one conclusion: he has the duty to refuse to follow orders. In view of threatening criminal prosecution this is a courageous step. Therefore we appeal to you, grant André Shepherd asylum, thereby providing him the protection he needs.

[Gordon Soderberg]

US soldier claims asylum in Germany over Iraq

by RNW News

Andre Shepherd, 31, has become the first American soldier to seek asylum from the United States in Germany after deserting the US Army. He cited the atrocities and illegalities of the war in Iraq, as well as President Bush's role in launching an invasion on the basis of "no legal grounds whatsoever."

Andre Shepherd
Andre Shepherd: seeking asylum
He said he had served willingly in 2004, but knowing what he does now, feels he cannot serve a second time. He was working as an Apache helicopter mechanic in Tikrit, but quit after witnessing the "mass of destruction" caused to Iraq by the military machine he was helping to maintain.

Germany was significant
Mr Shepherd said he chose to seek asylum in Germany for several reasons: he was stationed in Germany when he decided to desert and couldn't find a way back to the US.

Germany was also significant, he said, for the historical context of the Nuremberg trials, which established the principle "that everyone, especially a soldier, is responsible for their own actions."

Slanted US media
When asked why he joined the military in 2004, when the issue of the war's illegality was already known, Mr Shepherd said:

"I struggled through life, twice I was homeless. I didn't have access to the materials that I did when I was in Germany(...) when you look at the media in the United States, it's completely different than what it is in Europe. It's always slanted to make everything good, so you keep the war movement going."

Mr Shepherd said it was the duty of all American citizens to stand up to put an out-of-control government back on the right path and that he didn't see himself as a traitor.

Sensitive nature
On being asked about how his actions would strain relationships between Germany and the US, Mr Shepherd said that that was the price Washington had to pay for their follies of the last five years.

It is estimated that around 25,000 Americans have deserted since the war began. Mr Shepherd is aware of the sensitive nature of his case. He says other asylum seekers can expect a hearing after two weeks, but his documents don't give a firm date. "Hearing date: to be decided," they say.