In 2009 Amnesty International gave its New Media Award to WikiLeaks Julian Assange: “The awards recognise excellence in human rights reporting and acknowledge journalism’s significant contribution to the UK public’s awareness and understanding of human rights issues.” and for “helping to expose extra-judicial killings in Kenya”
On 21st of October they issued a strong statement of support for non extradition:
“The British authorities must acknowledge the real risks of serious human rights violations Julian Assange would face if sent to the USA, and reject the extradition request.
“The UK must comply with the commitment it’s already made that he would not be sent anywhere he could face torture or other ill-treatment.
“The UK must abide by its obligations under international human rights law that forbids the transfer of individuals to another country where they would face serious human rights violations.
“Were Julian Assange to be extradited or subjected to any other transfer to the USA, Britain would be in breach of these obligations.”
Yesterday Saturday a group of WikiLeaks supporters advocating Julian Assange’s Freedom gathered to leaflet outside Amnesty Internationa. We had a very god turnout and despite the rain and the wind we distributed hundreds of flyers with information about Julian Assange and the last of the 5000 flyers for a MIA/Lowkey concert outside the Home Office on 5th of November at 6pm.
They have made many statements, let’s now hope that Amnesty will start actively campaigning for his freedom. They campaigned for journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey. It is time they do more campaigning for Julian Assange.
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I am glad that the Deputy Director of AI’s European branch made the statement that is quoted above. However, it is deeply dismaying that AI refuses to recognise Julian as a political prisoner.
Dear Emmy and all the Wise Up Action team,I follow all you are doing very closely. It’s good to see Amnesty sticking to their 2009 support for Julian and human rights.This paragraph however stuck in my throat! “The UK must comply with the commitment it’s already made that he would not be sent anywhere he could face torture or other ill-treatment.”Is the struggle not to have Julian released from prison altogether and allowed to go home to his family and friends?In solidarity,ClaireSent from Samsung tablet.
You’re right, our aim should be to free Julian, unconvicted of any crime yet put behind bars in a maximum-security prison. It’s absolutely diabolical.
I just don’t understand why his lawyers are not on the offensive and why they have not challenged every vindictive ruling handed down in the past six months. I am deeply worried about their obscure strategy.