Julian Assange warns of ‘consequences if detention continues’

[rooster59]

Julian Assange warns of ‘consequences if detention continues’

Julian Assange has hailed the United Nations panel’s decision that he is being arbitrarily held “a victory of historic importance.”

“How sweet it is. This is a victory that cannot be denied. It is a victory of historical importance, not just for me, for my family, for my children, but for the independence of the UN system,” he said.

‘Consequences’

The Wikileaks founder appeared on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London to call on the UK and Sweden to allow him to freely leave the building.

Any move to hold him there would be a violation of the Convention Against Torture (CAT), he told the crowd below.

“If this illegal, immoral unethical detention continues, there will be criminal consequences for the parties involved, and those consequences can be taken in any state because the CAT (Convention against Torture) has universal jurisdiction.”

“The UN last night issued a statement stating that the determination is legally binding,” he said.

Findings ‘change nothing’

However, the UK Foreign Office claims the panel’s findings “change nothing.”

“There have been comments from Philip Hammond, the Foreign Minister of this country, today, saying ‘this changes nothing.’ […] We must understand that those comments are merely rhetoric. There is no argument in “this changes nothing.” It is not stating that the UK will pull out of the working group in its determinations, or the Human Rights Council, or even that it refuses to recognise the result,” Assange told the crowd.

The 44-year-old Australian national claimed asylum in the embassy three-and-a half years ago to escape extradition to Sweden over accusations of sexual assault.

Assange has always denied the allegations against him.

Extradition

Britain maintains it is legally obliged to arrest and extradite the Australian national if he leaves the embassy while a European Arrest Warrant is in place.

Wikileaks is under investigation in the US. Assange claims if he is forced to go to Sweden to face trial, Washington will take steps to have him extradited.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-01-06

[oxo1947]

In an exclusive interview, Julian Assange has revealed his deepest fear...

Hearing the fire alarm go off...........................

[dexterm]

The problem for UK and Sweden is that if they ignore the UN ruling it undermines their credibility next time they criticize some dictatorial government for unlawful detention, and there have been some high profile examples.

"The UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is made up of five legal experts from around the world.

Established in 1991, it has made hundreds of rulings on whether imprisonment or detention is lawful.

High profile complainants include Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was released in Iran last month.

It also offered an opinion on former pro-democracy President Mohamed Nasheed, released in the Maldives last year, and Myanmar party leader, Aung San Suu Kyi."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35504237

[NongKhaiKid]

Embassies all over Europe had better prepare for an influx of people seeking political asylum to avoid being arrested.

[neverdie]

What a pisss poor effort from the Australian Governments, not just the current one.

It's funny how western nations pick and choose which international laws they obey and which ones they do not.

Next time, Australia, UK, Sweeden or any other of the nations involve criticise North Korea or who ever, I hope the response mentions Julian Assange.

[ThaiKneeTim]

What a pisss poor effort from the Australian Governments, not just the current one.

It's funny how western nations pick and choose which international laws they obey and which ones they do not.

Next time, Australia, UK, Sweeden or any other of the nations involve criticise North Korea or who ever, I hope the response mentions Julian Assange.

The U.N. Panel isn't legally binding, but the European warrant is, and even when that expires there's the matter of jumping bail on the UK that he will be arrested for.

Assange dug himself a hole five years ago and hasn't stopped digging since.

Edited February 5, 2016 by ThaiKneeTim

[ezzra]

The problem for UK and Sweden is that if they ignore the UN ruling it undermines their credibility next time they criticize some dictatorial government for unlawful detention, and there have been some high profile examples.

"The UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is made up of five legal experts from around the world.

Established in 1991, it has made hundreds of rulings on whether imprisonment or detention is lawful.

High profile complainants include Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was released in Iran last month.

It also offered an opinion on former pro-democracy President Mohamed Nasheed, released in the Maldives last year, and Myanmar party leader, Aung San Suu Kyi."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35504237

Glad to see that now, according to you, Israel is not the only one to ignore the UN, and the

UK and Sweden is now also unlawfully detaining people, pity that they didn't torture Assange,

otherwise the comparison with Israel would be complete...

Beside, how is an unlawful detention, if he choose to go there in the first place, and stay there?......

[neverdie]

What a pisss poor effort from the Australian Governments, not just the current one.

It's funny how western nations pick and choose which international laws they obey and which ones they do not.

Next time, Australia, UK, Sweeden or any other of the nations involve criticise North Korea or who ever, I hope the response mentions Julian Assange.

The U.N. Panel isn't legally binding, but the European warrant is, and even when that expires there's the matter of jumping bail on the UK that he will be arrested for.

Arrange dug himself a hole five years ago and hasn't stopped digging since.

Assange did get himself into this position and it probably started more than 5 years ago.......what was he thinking? Surely not that he could keep 'outing governments' and get away with it.

I am well aware that it's not legally binding but I'm also aware that if I had carried my duties as sloppily and as corruptly as this, that I'd still be 'doing time' for my efforts. This is a political witch hunt, nothing more, nothing less.

If he had his smarts and some reliable contacts, he should leave in the middle of the night while Europe is bleeding refugees and he might just disappear into the crowd.

It's still a pisss poor effort on behalf of the Australian government.

[Grestin]

Embassies all over Europe had better prepare for an influx of people seeking political asylum to avoid being arrested.

Its always been that way. Why would there be any change?

[Grestin]

What a pisss poor effort from the Australian Governments, not just the current one.

It's funny how western nations pick and choose which international laws they obey and which ones they do not.

Next time, Australia, UK, Sweeden or any other of the nations involve criticise North Korea or who ever, I hope the response mentions Julian Assange.

Exactly. Gillard, the PM at the time wanted him hung drawn and quartered, until it was pointed out that he has not broken any australian law and she had to eat humble pie.

I guess he isnt as important as schapelle corby.

[metisdead]

An off topic deflection post has been removed as well as a reply.

[SOTIRIOS]

.....but where to go.....

...the price one pays for heroics sometimes is.......

[Familyaffairs]

Sleeze ball, enough with the smoke screen and clouding the issue in hand, so go face yr rape charges in Sweden like a man, you're not going to be extradited to N.Korea !

[connda]

The problem for UK and Sweden is that if they ignore the UN ruling it undermines their credibility next time they criticize some dictatorial government for unlawful detention, and there have been some high profile examples.

"The UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is made up of five legal experts from around the world.

Established in 1991, it has made hundreds of rulings on whether imprisonment or detention is lawful.

High profile complainants include Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was released in Iran last month.

It also offered an opinion on former pro-democracy President Mohamed Nasheed, released in the Maldives last year, and Myanmar party leader, Aung San Suu Kyi."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35504237

Selective interpretation has never seemed to be a problem for either the US or it's allies. Anything that benefits their interests are good; anything that is counter to what they want is bad. That simplistic. Therefore, they must take the hypocritical approach and ignore the UN directive. If the hypocrisy is brought to their attention at a later date, they will simply ignore that too. The UN continues to prove it is impotent and toothless except as a tool for promoting Western geopolitical interests, which considering it foundations should make perfect sense.

[neverdie]

Sleeze ball, enough with the smoke screen and clouding the issue in hand, so go face yr rape charges in Sweden like a man, you're not going to be extradited to N.Korea !

Worse than NK, the states actually dirty hands in this and we know how bad their human rights record is!

[neverdie]

What a pisss poor effort from the Australian Governments, not just the current one.

It's funny how western nations pick and choose which international laws they obey and which ones they do not.

Next time, Australia, UK, Sweeden or any other of the nations involve criticise North Korea or who ever, I hope the response mentions Julian Assange.

Exactly. Gillard, the PM at the time wanted him hung drawn and quartered, until it was pointed out that he has not broken any australian law and she had to eat humble pie.

I guess he isnt as important as schapelle corby.

Wasn't she an embarrassment! Pity Australia's first female PM had to be such a snivelling cluster <deleted>.

[Tatsujin]

.....but where to go.....

...the price one pays for heroics sometimes is.......

Dubai is a popular tourist "political refugee" destination nowadays ... but only if you have squillions to pay for it ...

[MiKT]

Isn't it amazing, this slime ball slinks into the embassy of one of the most corrupt countries on earth, with a terrible record for human rights violations; and then has the nerve to complain he is being held against his will and tortured.

They should wire the bastard up to the mains for 1/2 hour and then see if he still things he is being tortured. Or maybe give him the choice of "long or short sleeves".

The only embarrassment to Australia is those who think he should be running free without answering to any of the charges against him in a court of law.

He can't be "unlawfully imprisoned" as he is there voluntarily. Let him come out and get arrested and then he can complain.

The most shocking thing is that there are many, many people who really are unlawfully imprisoned. Some not too far away, and making any such ruling on the behalf of this fraud makes it so much harder for the UN to make any meaningful appeals on their behalf.

How about those journalists who were somehow 'spirited' out of Thailand or HK and magically appear in China "voluntarily" "confessing" to old "crimes". Petition the Oz government to do something about them, not waste one 1/10 of a nanosecond on this creep. Or better yet, hold a protest march in Bangkok to protest about "unlawful detentions", then you can see exactly what if the Oz government will do to help you.

[bark]

Why doesn't the UK put pressure on the Embassy. Easy to do. Just say that their is a gas leak in the area, and all building must be emplied

of all people.

[Mises]

Those of you calling Assange a sleaze ball etc deserve to live in a police state.

For a brief summary read this by John Pilger:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44138.htm

If you do not know of John Pilger then look him up.

[chuckd]

The problem for UK and Sweden is that if they ignore the UN ruling it undermines their credibility next time they criticize some dictatorial government for unlawful detention, and there have been some high profile examples.

"The UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is made up of five legal experts from around the world.

Established in 1991, it has made hundreds of rulings on whether imprisonment or detention is lawful.

High profile complainants include Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, who was released in Iran last month.

It also offered an opinion on former pro-democracy President Mohamed Nasheed, released in the Maldives last year, and Myanmar party leader, Aung San Suu Kyi."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35504237

Perhaps I am morre dense than usual today but who, exactly, is holding Assange in this alleged illegal detention and allegedly torturing him?

Please be as precise and concise as possible. Your usual bloviation will simply confuse me even more.

Thank you.

[Publicus]

Assange and Snowden got sucked in by Vladimir Putin and now all three are screwed.

Putin drew Assange to his orbit by among other things giving the Wikiboy his own television show in Russia.

Putin drew Snowden to Moscow by having Assange pull Snowden to Russia via Hong Kong where the CCP Dictators in Beijing got an early Christmas gift of US intelligence information that's still hurting us.

Assange is screwed and has been screwed and there hasn't been anything Vlad the Putin has or will be able to do about it. Not to mention the Moscow and Beijing fanboyz in Ecuador.

The Australian government over these numerous years knows it has a 100% basis to leave Assange to his fate as he himself predetermined it long ago.

[soalbundy]

What a pisss poor effort from the Australian Governments, not just the current one.

It's funny how western nations pick and choose which international laws they obey and which ones they do not.

Next time, Australia, UK, Sweeden or any other of the nations involve criticise North Korea or who ever, I hope the response mentions Julian Assange.

The U.N. Panel isn't legally binding, but the European warrant is, and even when that expires there's the matter of jumping bail on the UK that he will be arrested for.

Assange dug himself a hole five years ago and hasn't stopped digging since.

Although i sympathize with his plight he isn't being held in the embassy,he is there of his own free will and can leave when he wants to.

[exbikey]

A quick search shows the last time Wikileaks posted anything about the UN was 2008. Does this mean the UN has been squeaky clean over the past few years or could it be that Mr. Assange's team has been too busy with other issues to publish anything about this institute?

Just wondering.

[Publicus]

&amp;amp;nbsp;

Those of you calling Assange a sleaze ball etc deserve to live in a police state.

For a brief summary read this by John Pilger:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44138.htm

If you do not know of John Pilger then look him up.

Have a look here at people you do know, namely Julian Assange, Vladimir Putin, Edward Snowden, Wikileaks staff, Russian secret police, Ecuador sleazebag politicians and crackdowns on pro-democracy demonstrators not to mention the CCP Dictators.

http://www.businessinsider.com/snowden-assange-wikileaks-and-russia-2013-8

US Court of Appeals has upheld the federal government in its national security investigation of Wikileaks and Assange as being a state secret. It's even more of a secret however in Russia where Putin is the law in favor of Assange.

Edited February 6, 2016 by Publicus

[Cynical Sailor]

He sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy of his own volition. Nobody forced him to stay there. This is a man who is scared of facing justice because he knows he may be found guilty of a crime (either in Sweden or the US). If he believes he is innocent he should face his accusers and plead his case just like any other member of society. Or does he believe he's above that?

[humqdpf]

Sleeze ball, enough with the smoke screen and clouding the issue in hand, so go face yr rape charges in Sweden like a man, you're not going to be extradited to N.Korea !

The problem is not that he will face bad treatment if he is extradited to Sweden. The problem is that if that occurs, he could be extradited to the USA, especially if he beats the rape charges (which looks likely). You can bet that there is a special cell in Gitmo with his name on the door where there are no outsiders watching what is going on. How much of a man would you be to agree to go to Gitmo or some sort of solitary confinement in some so-called Supermax in the USA for much or all of the rest of your life.

You may think that Assange was wrong to leak all that stuff. You may think that he has clouded judgement. You may think many things about the man but he is not completely stupid. Whether you are for or against the man, you have to accept that he is cornered in that Embassy and facing life or worse if he walks out.

[midas]

&nbsp;

Those of you calling Assange a sleaze ball etc deserve to live in a police state.

For a brief summary read this by John Pilger:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44138.htm

If you do not know of John Pilger then look him up.

Have a look here at people you do know, namely Julian Assange, Vladimir Putin, Edward Snowden, Wikileaks staff, Russian secret police, Ecuador sleazebag politicians and crackdowns on pro-democracy demonstrators not to mention the CCP Dictators.

http://www.businessinsider.com/snowden-assange-wikileaks-and-russia-2013-8

So what is your point? Many of us no longer see Vlad and his associates as being the bad guys compared to Western leaders

(Incidentally you left out Max Keiser who is a brilliant financial analyst and commentator hosted on RT and has been warning about the approaching financial meltdown over the past eight years)

[Kimpil]

Seems like 90 % are missing the fact that Assange is dodging a trial for sexual assaulting 2 Swedish women . His excuse of not defending himself in court is fear of extradition to the U.S. That is the most obscure excuse for not standing trial and facing your accusers. Sweden has very strict extradition laws - just ask the more than 1.000 Americans that sought refuge there instead of joining the Vietnam war.

I might not agree with with the accusations but the Scandinavian countries are very strict on "the woman's right to say no at any time during the act". According to one woman, he kept on having unprotected sex with her after she asked him to stop and put on a condom. He declined and "forcefully" spread her legs and continued the intercourse. By law, that is rape in the Nordic countries. Agree or not - same as in Thailand. Here you can get charged with rape if you have had consensual sex with somebody under 18 if they or their families later file a complaint with the police. These complaints are by the way often solved with paying a settlement to the families involved.

Edited February 6, 2016 by Kimpil

[Publicus]

 

&amp;nbsp;

Those of you calling Assange a sleaze ball etc deserve to live in a police state.

For a brief summary read this by John Pilger:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44138.htm

If you do not know of John Pilger then look him up.

Have a look here at people you do know, namely Julian Assange, Vladimir Putin, Edward Snowden, Wikileaks staff, Russian secret police, Ecuador sleazebag politicians and crackdowns on pro-democracy demonstrators not to mention the CCP Dictators.

http://www.businessinsider.com/snowden-assange-wikileaks-and-russia-2013-8

So what is your point? Many of us no longer see Vlad and his associates as being the bad guys compared to Western leaders

(Incidentally you left out Max Keiser who is a brilliant financial analyst and commentator hosted on RT and has been warning about the approaching financial meltdown over the past eight years)

Assange and Putin are mates in mutual pocket pool.

And only the Austrian school and its disciples care what Max Keister or whomever has to say on RT or about their Mises Institution for the economically depraved.

Which only goes to demonstrate the point Assange is a part of this mob of gangsters. Assange is not some self sacrificing do-gooder at an honest website Wikileaks. Nothing honest about a Putin controlled website and the guy who runs it, Julian Assange.