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Julian Assange granted asylum by Ecuador

WISE Up Action | 16.08.2012 14:00 | Repression | Terror War

In a strongly worded statement today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration of Ecuador, Ricardo Patiño Aroca has announced that Julian's request for asylum has been granted.



Activists, some of whom have been maintaining a daily vigil since 19 June when Julian entered the embassy seeking asylum gathered in numbers last night after a threat by the British government to violate the embassy and seize Julian. Much larger numbers gathered this morning in the run up to the announcement which was made in Quito between 1 and 2pm BST (early morning there).

The full text in Spanish is here:  http://www.mmrree.gob.ec/2012/com042.asp

There will no doubt be a translation soon.

The statement included these comments (jotted down from the simultaneous interpretation and not all verbatim):

13:40 Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration of Ecuador, Ricardo Patiño Aroca has announced that Julian's request for asylum has been granted.

13:39 There is a risk he will be persecuted. We trust that the UK will offer the nec. guarantees so that both governments can act adequately and properly in respecting international rights and rights of asylum and hope excellent relations between both countries will remain intact.

13:38 US cannot give any info about Assange case. Ecuadorian government will protect Assange and has decided to grant asylum to him as per his request in June 2012 in a written document

13:35 Ecuador made it clear to Sweden, wanted to facilitate an interview. Sweden didn't accept the proposal. Ec requested warranties from Sweden to ensure no extradition to US. Sweden refused to give these.

13:31 there is a right not to be extradited - the protection is there.

13:30 Asylum overrides any other local regulations that are opposed to this. No local law can be used to deny the right to asylum to any person.

13:29 Asylum is a privilege that is fundamental and should be recognised by all states

13:25 Ecuador accepts US would not respect Assange's rights. If he goes to jail in Sweden, fear of extradition to US is real.

13:23 detailing Julian Assange's work and risks to his life posed by extradition risk and that he would not get fair trial and his human rights would be violated

WISE Up Action
- Homepage: http://wiseupaction.info

Comments

Display the following 17 comments

  1. Update — anox
  2. Look here, look there, look everywhere...else! — Wise man.
  3. Intriguing comment from John Young/Cryptome — Hypnotised
  4. @Hypnotised — anonx
  5. @hypnotised — anonymous
  6. never mind — hmm
  7. great — anon
  8. Theres no need for the Jury to retire — Just one minute worm your honour, him and me alone
  9. racist — Si
  10. @Si — anon
  11. oh really? — Si
  12. black — anon
  13. racism? — terry venables
  14. Ecuador is not a former colony! — Lily
  15. IMC gives birth. — Certificated storytellers!
  16. @Certificated storytellers! — anox
  17. Get your facts straight — Case to answer