Assange Detained Arbitrarily for 8 years for Publishing Evidence of War Crimes and Human Rights Violations
Everyone has the right to a fair hearing. From my perspective Julian Assange took steps to make visible what was happening behind closed doors. Snowden did the same. From my perspective as a citizen, whilst I didn’t feel the need to go through all that was released, I realised that citizens were surveilled and democracy set aside in favour of special interests. The values of democracy are just words not truthfully lived by government. Thus disclosures reveal what is hidden, secrets are in the light of public scrutiny. All governments should be transparent to its citizens given democratic governance represents its citizens.
The treatment of Julian Assange not only by Australia’s mixed feelings given its allegiences to power rather than sovereignty, the British alliance with the US and the desire to capture him and punish him for revealing secrets is not about Justice but power. I am for freedom of speech, I would support anyone on this matter as I believe it is important for world citizens to be informed about what is going on so they can make decisions about issues that directly affect their lives. The issue of government surveillance is deeply concerning and so called ‘ethical hacking’ if there is such a thing is giving the green light to invade privacy due to fear not unity. It is the very issue of fear that for me is the pink elephant. Those in power will not look at their fears and question for reality. If they are not confronted by any checks and balances those fears grow into paranoia and further control completely disconnected from their true mandate to serve the people (not industry). So it is in the interests of citizens worldwide to know what is being done with taxpayers money and how it impacts them and in their name. Thus, in this respect Julian Assange has served humanity. Yet there he is under house arrest in reality in the Ecadorian Embassy confined to the point of real suffering. I have been there myself and it pushes you towards suicide. This is psychological abuse and a form of bullying. Governments, certainly here in Australia say they believe in wellbeing and anti-bullying yet in other arena’s bullying is the norm as the argument of national interest justifies another form of violence. Until we sit with what we fear, until we are able to discuss what is going on and in forums that are nonviolent, we will continue to seek revenge or incarcerate voices that are deemed ‘traitors’ or ‘criminals’ when the intent is to expose truth to power.
In reality exposing truth comes from the highest love. Risking one’s own life is to put the needs of others over one’s life. The courage comes from the belief that it is in the public interest. A notable quote:
“It is the duty of those to tell the blindhorseman on the blind horse that he is heading towards the abyss” (Lao Tzu). This is to help the intelligence community see itself as it is out of control when it has no real oversight other than business interests rotating in and out of government.
It is essential that democracy is restored for if the faith in democracy collapses, so does the state that is empowered by the belief by the people in its integrity. Something to consider.
I feel to look at the other side in respect of Julian hacking. I don’t feel resonance with hacking either government or individuals. He also has done what they have done and both were exposed as there is a natural consequence (natural justice). If one sees an enemy the enemy turns up. If one seeks to punish it comes back. What we focus on we attract. All are connected not by internet but resonance fields. It is in our actions that life responds, as life is constantly responding energetically and electromagnetically to our thoughts, words and deeds and what shows up is a mirror of that. Another reflection to contemplate.
However, I’ve just read another blog on corruption and the fact it only came to light through leaks, I think it is a duty to report to the public corruption. That is social responsibility.
What would love do next…?
I feel forgiveness.
This article is by his lawyer.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/18/julian-assange-media-detention
Julian Assange is suffering needlessly. Why not report that?
The media’s coverage of Assange’s arbitrary detention has been shocking, favouring the powerful over the voiceless
• Melinda Taylor is a lawyer representing Julian Assange
Breaking news: a series of articles has been published by the Guardian concerning Julian Assange, splashed over the front pages. The big reveal? That after the UK threatened to invade the Ecuadorean embassy, Ecuador beefed up its security and surveillance at said embassy. And that this costs money. And there is pressure to find a solution to a situation that has been described by the United Nations as illegal and arbitrary detention.
Lost in the lede was this: that Ecuador appears to be hoping “that Assange’s already uncomfortable confinement will become intolerable”. The Oxford dictionary defines “intolerable” as “unbearable, insufferable, unsupportable, insupportable, unendurable, beyond endurance, unacceptable, impossible, more than flesh and blood can stand, too much to bear, past bearing, not to be borne, overpowering (…)”.
Isn’t the headline story that the editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks remains detained without access to fundamental healthcare? And since March this year, has been cut off from the outside world, bar meetings with his lawyers, which have apparently been surveilled?
Assange has won numerous awards for publishing information that has exposed egregious violations of human rights and abuses of state power. He has also won the more dubious prize of being placed in the crosshairs of US government attempts to silence free speech by silencing the publications and publishers that dare to speak freely.
In 2012, Ecuador recognised Assange’s right to asylum due to the risks of persecution and cruel treatment that he faces in the US as a result of his legitimate publishing activities. Since that date, the threats against Assange have escalated.
The US secretary of state has declared that first amendment protections (the right to freedom of expression) don’t apply to Assange, and the US Department of Justice has promised that his arrest is a priority, one that has probably moved up even further after the New York Times described WikiLeaks’ Vault 7 publications as the biggest leak in CIA history.
This week’s articles highlight the existence of security to protect Assange and his guests, but fail to note that an intruder attempted to break into the embassy in 2016. They fail to note that the latest “revelations” underscore the extent to which Assange has been denied basic rights, including the right to privacy and the right to enjoy privileged communications with his lawyers. And they fail to note that right to asylum equates to an inalienable right to protection; it is not a “gift” that can be revoked to placate bullies or bribers.
There is a series of newsworthy articles concerning Assange that should be displayed prominently in a newspaper such as the Guardian. I think it is shocking that Assange has been detained arbitrarily for approximately eight years for publishing evidence of war crimes and human rights violations. The UK could end this situation today, by providing assurances that Assange will not be extradited to the United States.
It is also shocking that at a time when Ecuador is attempting to obtain a diplomatic solution, the media is focussing on stories likely to bolster the position of the UK’s Goliath to Ecuador’s David.
Assange and I come from a country that often delights in executing the tall poppy syndrome – cutting down those who reach greater heights than we are prepared to condone. But it is also a country that subscribes to the right to a “fair go”, that is, to speak your mind, to have a fair chance. Assange is an easy target, but he is also one that can’t speak his mind.
I am grateful for the Guardian for giving me this opportunity to present these views to the diverse readership that respects and supports the Guardian’s stated aim of independent reporting in the liberal tradition.
And I hope journalists reporting on this predicament will bear in mind that comment is free, but Julian Assange is not.
• Melinda Taylor is a lawyer specialising in human rights and international criminal law who represents Julian Assange