17 August, 2012
"Brave and Principled Ecuador": Sydney Peace Foundation thanks the government of Ecuador for giving asylum to Julian
Assange
Professor Stuart Rees, chair of the Foundation says, "Ecuador understands the nature of justice, but it seems that in
failing to give assurances about Assange's safety,the governments of the the UK, Sweden and the USA only draw on their
assumptions about force to solve problems; and will the Australian government find the courage to thank Ecuador, or will
they side with the big battalions?"
In terms of justice for Julian Assange and for any other advocates of free speech and freedom of the press, the
following issues need to be aired by the media.
1. Assange has provided a massive public service by, among other things, revealing truths about murders by US military.
His challenge to governments' secrecy explains their desire for revenge.
2. So called British justice put Assange under house arrest for almost two years when he had been charged with no
offence. No other defendant suspected of alleged similar offences has been treated in this way. Cowardly governments
have made the alleged sex offences in Sweden into a major issue, not Assange.
3. For centuries, powerful governments have behaved as though they can do what they like, even if they call this ' the
rule of law.' In this watershed case, a small government Ecuador has challenged the bully boy tactics - witness the UK
threats - that have lasted for so long but now should end.
4. All citizens who believe in freedom of the press, freedom of speech and the values associated with diplomatic
immunity, can insist that the Ecuadorian decision to give asylum to Assange should override any other consideration and
no amount of quibbling by so called legal experts to support the governments of the UK, Sweden and the USA should be
heeded.
5. Here is a massive opportunity for the Australian government to show its determination to stand up for the right of an
Australian citizen.
ENDS