‘Free Assange NZ’ is a group of New Zealanders who support freedom for Wikileaks editor-in-chief, Julian Assange. One part of the campaign involves the initiative to provide Assange with asylum in New Zealand – that one place on the planet where the political leadership supports ethical governance, free speech and human rights.
To that effect Free Assange NZ initiated a parliamentary petition to instrumentalise the asylum initiative. Parliamentary petitions require a sponsoring member of parliament.
Free Assange NZ spokesperson, Greg Rzesniowiecki reports, “We’ve had a breakthrough with Labour MP for Ohariu, Greg O’Connor agreeing to formally sponsor the Assange Asylum petition’s presentation to the Parliamentary Clerk for allocation to a select committee for report to the House.
“Greg O’Connor has agreed to undertake the administrative formality of Sponsoring MP following the request of an Ohariu constituent.”
The“Asylum for Assange” petition handover event will be held on the steps of the NZ Parliament from 3:00pm Thursday 13 September and will involve a couple of speeches, music and a photo opportunity with the formal handover on the steps of Parliament. The petition will be reported to the House Tuesday 18 September and allocated to the nominated select committee.
Alex Hills Free Assange NZ co-spokesperson states, “Julian has been illegally detained in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for 6 years without access to medical care and is currently enduring a solitary confinement which legally meets the definition of torture (14 days is the legal limit). He has had no access to visitors and has been denied internet and phone connection. Assange’s health in serious decline.
“Wikileaks has published accurate information on war crimes and corrupt government behaviour for over 11 years without need for a single retraction. They are non-partisan and publish verified source documents no matter the country or political party of origin. The United Nations Human Rights Council has ruled that Assange is illegally detained and should be immediately freed & compensated.
“In other words, the USA, UK & Australia are all disobeying international law.
“The debunked Swedish case on Assange (which incredibly, is used as an excuse to ignore human rights) was closed years ago. The Swedish prosecutor heard testimony from Assange and stated in court that ‘no criminal activity had occurred’. The two purported complainants stated that police not only made up the charges but that they were railroaded into making a complaint. These facts are seldom conveyed in articles other than within independent media sites.”
‘Free Assange NZ’ is part of a growing global non-partisan movement called #Unity4J who support Julian Assange. The group has been endorsed by a number of high profile activists, journalists and academics including Chris Hedges and Daniel Ellsberg.
Don’t forget John Pilger. He supports Assange too.
John Pilger addressed a rally in Sydney, Australia, earlier this year, to mark Julian Assange’s six years’ confinement in the Ecuadorean embassy in London. Here is something of what he said. The full text is available on Pilger’s website.
“The persecution of Julian Assange must end. Or it will end in tragedy.”
“I know Julian Assange well; I regard him as a close friend, a person of extraordinary resilience and courage. I have watched a tsunami of lies and smear engulf him, endlessly, vindictively, perfidiously; and I know why they smear him.:
“In 2008, a plan to destroy both WikiLeaks and Assange was laid out in a top secret document dated 8 March, 2008. The authors were the Cyber Counter-intelligence Assessments Branch of the US Defence Department.”
“This would be achieved, they wrote, with threats of “exposure [and] criminal prosecution” and a unrelenting assault on reputation. The aim was to silence and criminalise WikiLeaks and its editor and publisher. It was as if they planned a war on a single human being and on the very principle of freedom of speech.”
“Julian Assange has committed no crime. He has never been charged with a crime. The Swedish episode was bogus and farcical and he has been vindicated.”
“No investigative journalism in my lifetime can equal the importance of what WikiLeaks has done in calling rapacious power to account. “
“That is why Assange is in mortal danger.”
“I have watched Assange’s health deteriorate in his years of confinement without sunlight. He has had a relentless cough, but is not even allowed safe passage to and from a hospital for an X-ray.”
John Pilger finished his speech by spelling out what the PM could do.
“Malcolm Turnbull can remain silent. Or he can seize this opportunity and use his government’s diplomatic influence to defend the life of an Australian citizen, whose courageous public service is recognised by countless people across the world. He can bring Julian Assange home.”
Thank you Greg O’Connor agreeing to formally sponsor the Assange Asylum petition.
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