Prisonphone Ltd, is a social venture dedicated to bringing prisoners and their families together by providing them with a paying service of low cost phonecalls.In their blog they post articles relating to prison conditions that they share through Twitter and Facebook . In a recent blog post about HMP Belmarsh they mentioned WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange . Here is what Nina Cross, a WikiLeaks supporter and advocate for the Freedom of Julian Assange had to say to them about it.
I am writing to ask you to please correct the information you have on your website about Julian Assange. Your information reads:
“Julian Paul Assange, an Australian editor and investigative journalist who founded Wikileaks in 2006. In 2010 Wikileaks published a series of links form Chelsea Manning on the Collateral Murder video, Afghanistan war logs, and Cablegate. Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy for 8 years until revoked his claim due to his escalating bizarre behaviour .”
It should read that WikiLeaks released a classified US military video depicting the indiscriminate slaying of over a dozen people in the Iraqi suburb of New Baghdad — including two Reuters news staff. The video, shot from an Apache helicopter, clearly shows the unprovoked slaying of a wounded Reuters employee and his rescuers. Two young children involved in the rescue were also seriously wounded. You can see it here https://collateralmurder.wikileaks.org/
VIDEO
The publications to which you refer have been used in trials to provide evidence of torture, illegal renditions and war crimes. The International Criminal Court has recently opened an investigation into possible crimes against humanity by the US in Afghanistan and is using evidence published by Wikileaks. Julian Assange was in the Ecuadorian embassy entirely legally. His asylum was stripped from him illegally, a violation of international law according to the UN asylum laws of non-refoulement. This is explained clearly by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer, in the following link – https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24454&LangID=E
– The Ecuadorian government, having changed from one that was independent of US influence, to one that is heavily controlled by it, unlawfully withdrew both Julian Assange’s asylum and Ecuadorian citizenship, denying him any due process.According to the United Nations he is currently arbitrarily detained in Belmarsh prison. This is explained in the following link https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24552 .
Arbitrary detention is unlawful. In order to masque its unlawful behaviour the British authorities, supported by the media, has carried out a smear campaign against Julian Assange. Your comments about “his escalating bizarre behaviour” are an example of how his name is vilified. The UN Rapporteur has expressed his concern at the inhumane treatment of one man by public officials and organisations. You can read this here – https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24665
I would ask you to please also consider the warning of Nils Melzer, that he fears the continued arbitrary treatment of Julian Assange could lead to his death. If he dies in Belmarsh prison it will be due to the abject dereliction of duty by British authorities to protect the life of a journalist who has held authority to account and dared to expose its crimes. Please can you change your wording to a more truthful explanation of Julian Assange’s unjust situation in Belmarsh prison.
Thank you very much.
Nina Cross
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Well done!
Thank you Nina for correcting the record at the Belmarsh Maximum Security prison, where Julian continues to be held in solitary confinement, while denied access to his lawyers and family. I consider his treatment a national disgrace for which the UK Government, Courts and MPs are all complicit. He is a journalist and should be protected under the first amendment. The UK/US/Ecuardor/Sweden/Australia need to correct this injustice now and release Julian. He has done a public service by reporting on human rights abuses, illegal wars, surveillance and nuclear and environmental issues. These are the work of an investigative journalist and we need to stop the persecution and release him immediately. A national/international disgrace.
Excellent response Nina. Bravo!