WISE Up Action · @WISEUpAction
21st Aug 2013 from TwitLonger
Statement from PETER TATCHELL #afterthesentence of Bradley #Manning to 35 yrs
Manning sentenced to 35 years for exposing US war crimes
Perpetrators of these war crimes have never been brought to justice
21 Aug 2013
Commenting on the sentencing of Bradley Manning, who was convicted in a US military court for sharing hundreds of thousands of sensitive government documents with Wikileaks, Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, said:
"Bradley Manning is being sentenced to 35 years for exposing US war crimes, lies and cover-ups, while the people who committed these criminal acts have never been prosecuted.
"One of the war crimes he exposed was a US Apache helicopter attack that gunned down 11 Iraqi civilians in 2007, including two Reuters journalists and men who had gone to the aid of the wounded. Two children were also gravely injured when the US helicopter opened fire on their van. The video records US soldiers laughing and joking at the killings, and also insulting the victims.
“The video of the massacre can be seen at: www.collateralmurder.com
"The perpetrators of these crimes have never been brought to justice and enjoy impunity.
"Manning is a true patriot, not a traitor. He reveres the founding ideals of the US: the notion of an open, honest government that is accountable to the people and that pursues its policies by lawful means with respect for human rights.
"Manning wanted to show the reality of US foreign policy. In his pre-trial hearing, he said he wanted to spark a public debate about flaws and failings in US foreign and military policy. He's achieved that goal, shining a light on shameful acts that were kept hidden from the American people," said Mr Tatchell.
Further information:
Peter Tatchell
Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation
0207 403 1790
Email: Peter@PeterTatchellFoundation.org
Web: www.PeterTatchellFoundation.org
Susheila Juggapah
Campaign and Press Officer, Peter Tatchell Foundation
0203 397 2190
Email: Sushi@PeterTatchellFoundation.org
Web: www.PeterTatchellFoundation.org