M · @m_cetera
1st Nov 2012 from Twitlonger
Late Notice Motion on WikiLeaks and Julian Assange passed by the National Union of Journalists, October 2012
Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JadmQC11wo
Acknowledging the international importance of Assange's work as an investigative journalist - and publisher
- Agreeing that his fears of extradition to the US have substance.
- Reasserting that Assange has not yet been charged with any offence and should arguably not therefore be facing extradition.
- Acknowledging genuine attempts of Assange to meet with Swedish detectives.
- Examining the character and sexual politics of this specific Swedish prosecutor, Marianne Ny.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8308877/Julian-Assange-extradition-hearing-Swedish-prosecutor-is-biased-against-men.html
- Condemning the role of met police/foreign office in threats to storm the Ecuadorian embassy.
- Condemning the assault up the fire escapes of the Ecuadorian Embassy.
- Asserting the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'
- Encouraging all parties to negotiate.
NUJ Delegate Meeting 2012 Newcastle - Late Notice Motion 13 as passed:
This DM (Delegate Meeting) recognises that the granting on 16th August 2012 of political asylum to Julian Assange by the government of Ecuador has substantially changed the terms of the debate about Assange's position and has further muddied already murky waters. To the complex legal and moral arguments regarding the leaking of confidential state documents and the allegations of rape levelled against Assange in Sweden, we must now add an entire history of ideological and sometimes actual conflict between US imperialist forces and the peoples of Latin America. It now seems that the situation may have reached an impasse.
DM applauds WikiLeaks for the work it has done in exposing the culture of secrecy and lies that characterises the international operations of many governments of all political persuasions.
DM acknowledges the important contribution made by Julian Assange himself in the development of WikiLeaks as a major resource for journalism and political analysis and believes that as a member of our sister union in Australia, the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, he should be warmly congratulated for his work as a journalist.
DM believes that the type of journalism to which WikiLeaks has made a significant contribution represents a real challenge to those governments, wherever they are, which rely on propaganda, torture, warfare and subversion to accomplish their political and economic aims.
DM further recognises that Julian Assange has been accused of serious offences involving sexual violence and coercion and that these accusations must either result in criminal charges or be withdrawn.
DM confirms that the presumption of innocence must apply in this case as in any other, and believes that the law should serve justice rather than be its master.
Accordingly, DM instructs the NEC (National Executive Council) to work with the IFJ (International Federation of Journalists) in seeking to contribute to a resolution of the Assange affair that will meet the following requirements:
1. It should confirm the commitment of the NUJ and the IFJ to press freedom.
2. It should acknowledge the important role of WikiLeaks and similar organisations in the promotion of investigative journalism and press freedom.
3. It should acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations of rape and sexual misconduct levelled against Assange and provide a means for them to be tested in a court of law or withdrawn.
4. It should insist on the presumption of innocence in this case.
5. Recognise that Ecuador have proposed that Assange has safe passage to Sweden's Ecuadorian Embassy so that questioning can take place to fulfil the requirements of the Swedish prosecutor.