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Amnesty — but not for all

Broadcast Date: Jan. 21, 1977

In his first act as president, Jimmy Carter pardons those who peacefully evaded the draft by travelling abroad or failing to register. Military deserters, however, have not been included in the blanket pardon. In the two-tiered system, deserters can apply for a limited pardon to be reviewed on a case by case basis. CBC Radio's Barbara Frum talks to one frustrated military deserter who would like to go home again.

Amnesty — but not for all

• In 1974, President Ford offered a partial amnesty for war resisters. Of the 350,000 eligible candidates, only 21,800 were granted clemency. Exile groups in Canada, Sweden, Britain and France boycotted the program. They particularly disliked the stringent process that required them to swear the oath of allegiance. This measure was particularly offensive because former president Richard Nixon, who was also pardoned under this umbrella package, was treated much easier despite his role in manipulating the democratic process in the Watergate affair.

• The blanket pardon allowed draft dodgers without criminal records or charges to come freely back into the country without having to go through a legal process. As such, no true figure exists of how many draft dodgers took advantage of the amnesty. It is estimated, however, that only 15 per cent of the evaders went back to the United States.

Amnesty — but not for all

Medium: Radio

Program: As It Happens

Broadcast Date: Jan. 21, 1977

Guest(s): Jack Kalhoon

Host: Alan Maitland
Interviewer: Barbara Frum

Duration: 4:57

Last updated:
April 3, 2008