Julian Assange had his internet disconnected while in the Ecuadoran Embassy in London in March 2018.
He had been granted political asylum by Ecuador in 2012 after Britain had threatened to raid the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he had been staying for several months. Ecuador’s foreign minister said his country had feared for the safety of Julian who was an enemy of corrupt media and United States imperialism. At the time, Julian had stated that he feared extradition to the U.S. while others called him paranoid. Time has shown that he was indeed justified to have been so anxious. The conditions under Special Administrative Measures at U.S. high security prisons are inhumane and cruel. It was described by a warden as being a fate worse than death.
Julian had been living in a small room in the Ecuadorian embassy for many years and the internet had been his lifeline to the outside world. The disconnection of the internet and his phone meant the disconnection from his work and further isolation and malice from the powers that be. At the time John Pilger stated that Ecuador was under direct pressure from the United States Government. It happened a day after Ecuador welcomed a delegation from the U.S. Southern Command, the Pentagon’s arm in Latin America & the Caribbean.
In 2019 Mr. Assange was arrested and Telesur reported he was taken from the Ecuadorian Embassy as part of an International Monetary Fund deal between Lenin Morano and the United States. Ecuador received a $4.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, to which the U.S. is the largest contributor.
The silencing of Julian Assange not only silenced him, but meant he was unable to continue his work and bring the knowledge of government and big business corruption and crimes to us, the people. Julian had thought that making people aware of the goings on that we are not privy to would bring transparency and accountability. However, it seems the powers have doubled down to ensure secrecy and hold out Julian as a warning. Like the way heads would-be put-on spikes or people would be hung, drawn, and quartered as a warning to any who would oppose or stand up to their rulers.
The U.N. special Rapporteur on torture, Nils Melzer stated Mr. Assange was about as free to leave the embassy as someone who is sitting on a rubber boat in a shark pool. He condemned the deliberate and concerted abuse inflicted on Julian for years. In 2019 he stated, there has been a relentless and unrestrained campaign of public mobbing, intimidation and defamation against Mr. Assange, not only in the United States, but also in the United Kingdom, Sweden and, more recently, Ecuador.” We can add Australia to that list. According to the expert, this included an endless stream of humiliating, debasing and threatening statements in the press and on social media, but also by senior political figures, and even by judicial magistrates involved in proceedings against Assange. Julian’s shaving equipment was taken away shortly before his arrest to make him appear dishevelled and unappealing to the public. They wanted him to appear as unsympathetic as possible.
Julian won the case against extradition to the United States, yet he is still being held in a high security prison in London.
Liberal party website notes their beliefs include the most basic freedoms of parliamentary democracy – the freedom of thought, worship, speech and association. In a just and humane society in which the importance of the family and the role of law and justice is maintained.
The Liberal Party notes on their website that the federal platform includes they are to strengthen international relationships and alliances especially with the United States. Is this above and beyond the duty to protect an Australian citizen? If so, this would be the epitome of treachery and being un-Australian.
I would like to see if the Democratic Party or Republican party or any other political party in the world has a platform to strengthen international relationships and alliances especially with Australia. I very much doubt it. Are we just a lapdog of the U.S. or are we a brave, just and independent nation? Are we able to stand up for our own citizens or must we bow to the U.S. first and foremost?
Julian’s freedoms and rights are not being protected. His freedom of speech has been silenced. He is locked in prison in the U.K. at the behest of the United States, away from his family including 2 preschool boys.
As the Prime Minister, and leader of the Liberal Party, I call on, Scott Morrison, to bring this urgent and potentially deadly situation of our Australian Citizen to the fore and end the dearth of action by the Government of Australia.
Free inmate, our mate, Julian Assange.
Free our Australian citizen, Walkley award winning journalist, Julian Assange.
References:
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24665