JULIAN Assange is facing extradition to the US and 175 years in jail there.
This for exposing human rights abuses and war crimes. He is on his final appeal after Priti Patel signed the extradition order.
The global human rights community is condemning the actions of the UK in taking away his liberty for publishing information that was in the public interest. He is being sent to a country that may have planned his assassination. He is a political prisoner and I believe that our government and the government of the US are breaking international human rights law by imprisoning him. International human rights law is the same thing as UK law as we are signatories to many human rights documents, including the European Convention on Human Rights.
Meanwhile, a big thing is being made of Boris Johnson possibly getting sacked for lying to his fellow MPs. This is a distraction from a genuinely dangerous precedent that is being set by the establishment that will outlaw journalism that exposes the unlawful actions of the UK Government. We will all think justice is finally being done if Boris Johnson is sacked. This is and has always been part of the end game. They have completed what they set out to do – make an example of Julian Assange and set a legal precedent to deter any other journalists from genuinely questioning and challenging great power.
The preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is as follows: “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
“Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people.”
We should remember this inspiring preamble written by the governments of 1948 and the articles enshrined within such legal documents as the European Convention on Human Rights. We should also remember how many have been broken with regard to the imprisonment of Julian Assange:
Article 2 – Right to life (will likely be broken on extradition and broken with regard to the planned assassination of Julian Assange by the US government)
Article 3 – Prohibition of torture (broken)
Article 4 – Prohibition of slavery and forced labour
Article 5 – Right to liberty and security (broken)
Article 6 – Right to a fair trial (broken)
Article 7 – No punishment without law (broken)
Article 8 - Right to respect for family and private life (broken)
Article 9 – Freedom of thought, conscience and religion (broken)
Article 10 – Freedom of expression (broken)
Article 11 – Freedom of assembly and association
Article 12 – Right to marry
Article 13 – Right to an effective remedy (broken)
Article 14 – Prohibition of discrimination (broken)
It is really important that we collectively hold our governments to account for their unlawful actions, and that we look at the human rights that our government has promised to uphold and hold them to their promise, and remind them of their promise.
If the government consistently breaks its own laws or cynically manipulates the law to its own ends of holding power, hiding corruption and making personal financial gains, then we should question whether we continue to be under a contractual obligation as citizens to respect the laws which apply to us.
Julian Assange’s life is on the line. He has a family with two young children. We need to protect him and save our own freedoms in the process. Forget Boris – he’s the cuckoo spit – a little tiny insect blowing big bubbles.
Katie Lambert
via email
THIS PM is not fit for purpose and should certainly not be in the role of “caretaker” Prime Minister. The country needs to take a deep breath, reflect on Boris Johnson the Prime Minister, and take stock. The cupboard is empty, the economy of the country is shattered, our international standing is also shattered, the country is in turmoil, the list could go on. How could any responsible politician put (and leave) the country in such a crisis footing? The arrogance of Boris Johnson to suggest he remain in office as PM is breathtaking to say the least!
Catriona C Clark
Falkirk
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