CANADA: Matthew Lowell permitted to stay in Canada - FUA 298/08

Matthew Lowell has been allowed to stay in Canada until the country’s Federal Court decides whether or not to review his case. He had been due to be deported to the USA on 28 October. He fled to Canada in October 2005 because of his conscientious objection to the war in Iraq and his objection to serving in the United States army. If deported to the USA, he risks being court-martialled and imprisoned for between one and five years and would therefore be a prisoner of conscience.

Matthew Lowell applied for refugee status in November 2005 but his application was rejected. He submitted two other applications seeking permission to remain in Canada. These applications were also rejected. In 2008 he requested permission from the Federal Court to appeal the rejections. The court has yet to decide whether or not to give him permission to appeal.

In October 2008, Matthew Lowell was issued with a deportation order. He submitted a separate application to the Federal Court requesting that he be granted a stay of removal. The stay was granted on 27 October.
No further action by the UA Network is requested at present. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.