FREE THE TRUTH TUKUA TE PONO
JULIAN ASSANGE is a South Pacific journalist in jail in England. The US wants to jail him for 175 years for publishing leaked evidence of their war crimes, torture and environmental corruption. This case will allow the US to jail anyone, anywhere in the world for revealing their Human Rights crimes.
This is the most consequential Human Rights case of this Century. How can we solve abuses we aren't allowed to see? Our Right to Know is the master key to all our rights, and it's in a prison cell with Julian Assange.
This is the most consequential Human Rights case of this Century. How can we solve abuses we aren't allowed to see? Our Right to Know is the master key to all our rights, and it's in a prison cell with Julian Assange.
Every major Human Rights and Press Freedom group is saying this case threatens GLOBAL PRESS FREEDOM, which means our FREEDOM TO KNOW.
The UN has repeatedly called for his freedom since 2016, but he is in solitary confinement in a UK Supermax prison. A UN expert says the UK and US have been 'literally torturing him to death'. He recently suffered a stroke, and a letter signed by hundreds of doctors warns he is likely to die soon if not freed.
'This is not only about protecting Assange, but about preventing a precedent likely to seal the fate of Western democracy.'
Nils Melzer, UN Special Rapporteur,and Human Rights Chair at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
While Julian Assange is in jail - so is your Right to Know.
Aren't there many jailed journalists? What's the big deal?
Never has a powerful nation like the US reached out to jail a foreign journalist before. The charges also don't allow for a fair trial, because he cannot argue he published information in the public interest. This is an unprecedented test case for GLOBAL press freedom.
This ‘is a direct threat to journalists everywhere in the world.’ - Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, Joel Simon
'The case against Julian Assange is outrageous. It is the very future of journalism and press freedom that is at stake.'
Rebecca Vincent, Reporters Without Borders, Director of International Campaigns
If he's done nothing wrong, why can't he just fight it in court in the US?
The US is using a controversial old spying law against a journalist for the first time. Under the 1917 Espionage Act, the defendant is not allowed to argue they had a Public Interest reason to publish secret documents - even if it is undisputed evidence of Human Rights crimes. He would also be detained in 24/7 solitary confinement, which is torture.
US Security Officials have said top White House and CIA Officers called for 'sketches' to assassinate Assange. We cannot expect his basic human rights to be safe in the US.
'Assange must never be extradited to the United States. It's a serious threat to him personally and freedoms we usually honour, such as Press Freedom, Freedom of Expresssion and Freedom of Information'
Agnes Callamard, Secretary General, Amnesty International.
Surely we can trust the UK justice system to fairly determine this extradition request?
Apparently not. Amnesty International have said the UK extradition trial was like a 'circus'.
The International Bar Association Human Rights Insititute said the proceedings against Mr Assange 'seriously undermine due processes and the rule of law'.
All his private meetings with his lawyers were spied on, he did not have adequate access to his lawyers, in court he was placed in a glass cage away from his lawyers, and given a laptop with the keys glued down. UN Special Rapporteur Nils Melzer said 'this extradition proceeding has become irreparably arbitrary.' There is no chance of justice.
Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders were denied access to monitor the hearings. No one can credibly say that justice is being done.
'The threat to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s freedom is a threat to press freedom around the world...The UK has an obligation to avoid extradition to a place where he faces ill treatment and torture.'
Golriz Ghahraman, NZ Green MP, Human Rights lawyer.
He must have done something wrong or they wouldn't be doing this?
The US prosecution has admitted under oath in two separate trials, that they have found no evidence that his publications caused any harm to anyone.
A number of experts, including New Zealand investigative journalist Nicky Hager, testified that Assange took 'extraordinary precautions' to redact sensitive information and to protect sources.
The indictment criminalises 'common journalistic activity' - Committee to Protect Journalists. The real reason he is being persecuted is that corrupt power is intimidated by the amount of corruption he and his team at Wikileaks were able to reveal.
'You do wonder when the hatchet can be buried with Assange, and not buried in his head by the way?... The real issue really is the activities they were exposing, not their actions ofexposure.''
Rt.Hon. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand
Democratic leaders must speak up NOW
The US is attempting to assert an unprecedented tyranny, that they can imprison anyone, anywhere in the world, for revealing their Human Rights crimes. Democratic leaders around the world cannot stay silent and credibly stand for Democracy and Human Rights.
This case threatens South Pacific journalists, the integrity and safety of our Defense Forces, and the wider public's right to know.
Julian is suffering profoudly in arbitrary solitary confinement according to his wife Stella Assange. He is likely to die according to medical experts or be extradited to even worse conditions of 24/7 solitary in the US. We must free Julian before a terrible black mark is left in history threatening anyone prepared to stand up and tell the truth.
New Zealand's Democratic representatives must stand up for a South Pacific journalist, and call on our allies to bring an end to this NOW.
Kia kaha Aotearoa & Australia
We are calling on the New Zealand Government to stand with Australia, and call on our allies the US & UK to bring an end to this and bring Julian home.
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Send an email to matt.o.branain@a4a.nz
Email your MP
Find your local MP using this interactive map. Politely email or phone them and ask them to call on our allies, the US and UK to end this and bring Assange home. Say why it matters to you and add weighty quotes from notable authorities here.
Jacinda Ardern PM and Minister for National Security and Intelligence
David Parker Attorney General
Willie Jackson Minister for Broadcasting and Media
Nanaia Mahuta Minister for Foreign Affairs
Andrew Little GCSB
Chris Hipkins Overseeing: Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill
Chloe Swarbrick, Green MP with Broadcasting portfolio
Golriz Ghahraman, Green MP Human Rights lawyer (supports Julian)
Paul Hunt NZ’s Human rights Commissioner
Senator Penny Wong - Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs
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To donate to Aotearoa 4 Assange send an email to donation@a4a.nz for details.
Stella Morris - Julian's fiancee and member of his legal team - global campaign and defense