Tweet
Thursday 16 August, 2012, in a press conference streamed from the website of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Ricardo Patino (@RicardoPatinoEC) declared that the country would grant asylum to the Founder and Editor of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange.
Patino said that Assange's fears of being persecuted in the United States were justified, therefore he satisfied all legal requirements for political asylum under international human rights and humanitarian law. Still, there is no guarantee that Assange will not be extradited to the United States after a long consultation process. Patino explained the legal reasons in detail in a number of points.
After rumors that asylum had been granted began circulating and President Correa announced that he would study the case on Wednesday 15 August with experts, United Kingdom authorities responded saying that they would respect the Swedish extradition order and send the police to arrest Assange, even if he was protected by Correa's decision.
Officials said they could claim the authority to walk onto Embassy premises, news that sparked anger from many arguing that it would violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations.
Following these threats, Ecuadorean authorities called for a press conference and denounced the hostile attitude of the British. After that, police presence outside the Embassy increased.
A UK Barrister and expert explained how the British threats and action might be illegal.
Many unanswered questions remain following the announcement: whether the UK will send police to the Embassy, bringing a possible end of diplomatic relations between the two countries; the reactions of the Organization of American States and the Union of South American States, after they meet to discuss the threats against a member State (Ecuador); the position of the US - a country which recognizes and grants asylum to journalists and whistleblowers in similar circumstances; and the reactions of Sweden - a country that is often a hub for those who seek refuge in other territories.
More...
Patino said that Assange's fears of being persecuted in the United States were justified, therefore he satisfied all legal requirements for political asylum under international human rights and humanitarian law. Still, there is no guarantee that Assange will not be extradited to the United States after a long consultation process. Patino explained the legal reasons in detail in a number of points.
After rumors that asylum had been granted began circulating and President Correa announced that he would study the case on Wednesday 15 August with experts, United Kingdom authorities responded saying that they would respect the Swedish extradition order and send the police to arrest Assange, even if he was protected by Correa's decision.
Officials said they could claim the authority to walk onto Embassy premises, news that sparked anger from many arguing that it would violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations.
Following these threats, Ecuadorean authorities called for a press conference and denounced the hostile attitude of the British. After that, police presence outside the Embassy increased.
A UK Barrister and expert explained how the British threats and action might be illegal.
Many unanswered questions remain following the announcement: whether the UK will send police to the Embassy, bringing a possible end of diplomatic relations between the two countries; the reactions of the Organization of American States and the Union of South American States, after they meet to discuss the threats against a member State (Ecuador); the position of the US - a country which recognizes and grants asylum to journalists and whistleblowers in similar circumstances; and the reactions of Sweden - a country that is often a hub for those who seek refuge in other territories.
More...
Comment