Ecuador 'committed to justice', says Assange

20 Jun 2012, 12:35 pm   -   Source: SBS, AAP
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Critics say Julian Assange has not had enough support from the Australian government. (Getty)

Critics say Julian Assange has not had enough support from the Australian government. (Getty)

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says it is up to Julian Assange if he wants to seek asylum in Ecuador, after the Ecuadorian foreign minister said the WikiLeaks founder called it a country 'committed to peace and justice.'

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Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the Australian WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can make his own decisions on applying for asylum with Ecuador, after he asked the leftist South American nation for permission to continue his work in a land of peace and justice.

Australia will continue to provide consular support for the Wikileaks chief, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

Mr Assange has turned to Ecuador for political asylum, claiming Australia won't protect him from extradition to the United States where he could face the death penalty.

He walked into Ecuador's embassy in London overnight and asked for asylum under the United Nations Human Rights Declaration.

On his Twitter feed, the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister detailed some of Assange's request.

"Assange says he received death threats, extrajudicial financial blockade and the possibility of being handed over to U.S. authorities."

Mr Assange also reportedly wrote that he wants to continue his mission 'in a land of peace, committed to truth and justice.'

Assange's comes less than a week after Britain's Supreme Court rejected the 40-year-old Australian's bid to reopen his extradition case.

When asked whether the federal government supported his asylum application, Ms Gillard said: "Mr Assange's decision and choices are a matter for Mr Assange."

"Our consular officials have been in contact with him, also with Ecuador in London about this, but his decisions in relation to this matter are for him to make," she told reporters in Los Cabos, Mexico where she has been attending a G20 leaders summit.

Ms Gillard said Mr Assange had been in receipt of consular assistance every step of the way.

"Indeed, the foreign minister has remarked that he has received more consular assistance than any other Australian in a comparable position," she said.

On Mr Assange's concerns he could face extradition to the US, Ms Gillard said the Australian government opposed extradition in death penalty cases and reminded reporters he was actually wanted for questioning in Sweden for alleged sexual offences.

GREENS CALL FOR MORE SUPPORT
  
The Greens' Scott Ludlam has strongly supported Assange and said he had seen a translated excerpt from the WikiLeaks founder's asylum plea.
  
"Effectively it makes the case... that he doesn't have any confidence at all in the Australian government's willingness to protect him or to stand up for his rights," Ludlam told reporters.
  
"And he's extremely concerned about being prosecuted and extradited to the United States for charges that could see him in jail for life."
  
Treasurer Wayne Swan said Canberra had no information "whatsoever" about a pending US indictment against Assange and refused to comment further, other than to repeat vows of consular support.

Julian Assange. , Wikileaks

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They do exist in society

Darrin - from Newcastle, 10 months ago

@Bazzle so you think murder is a fitting ending and justice for those that expose it ,i pity your mindset

freedom for julian assange

peter orval - from hamilton vic, 11 months ago

I am extremely disappointed that there has been no help offered to julian assange fom the australian government. They are gutless when it comes to standing up to the US. I think Obama appears to be of similar character to Putin, they care nothing for ordinary peoples rights.

Both Labour and Liberal colluding with the USA

Marcel - from Perth, 11 months ago

The politicians seem to forget that the food they put on their plates at night is provided courtesy of the Australian tax payer. If they ostensibly can't do anything for Assange (and could not for Hicks), what are they going to do for us if the time comes ... nothing too? So, should we be paying them for their inabilities? Shame on tax spongers like Howard and Gillard!

Gillard Cop-out

Ken - from NSW, 11 months ago

It's up Gillard if she wants to wimpier out and bend over for the corrupt administration of the U.S or she can find some courage and side with justice and stand with Mr Assange

Assange cosular support

petermac - from townsville qld, 11 months ago

he should change his name to Thompson and join the labour party. that will get him all the support he needs

Run Run

Bazzle - from Somerset TAS, 11 months ago

Funny to see this self obsessed narc running like a coward to any country that wont send him off to face the consequences of his actions. Hopefuly the US will have their way with him sooner than later.

Gillard- Puppet or Justice???

Peter - from QLD, 11 months ago

It's up to Gillard if she want to continue to play the puppet to the Obama administration. She hasn't got the guts to stand up and defend an Australian citizen from clearly political motivated charges designed to simply gag someone with the courage to stand for the truth. Shame on you Prime minister.

Australian

Simon French - from Adelaide, 11 months ago

Swan go back to teaching at University, your shallow input in Australian politics is tiresome. Please can we have a treasurer with educated business experience rather than a University Lecturer / Public Servant.

Australian Citizen

Shane Wilkinson - from Melbourne, 11 months ago

Ms Gillards response "the Australian Government opposed extradition in death penalty cases" is yet another weak, spineless, statement from someone who fails to demonstrate true Australian leadership. I along with an increasingly overwhelming number of Australians are looking forward to the next election where we have the opportunity to elect someone who we would be proud to class as our "leader".

Justice Vs Dictatorship

Peter - from QLD, 11 months ago

We should all side with Mr Assange. We may not all agree on the whens & hows the information and truths were released. But, non the less, we have the right to know why we commit our sons and daughters lives to wars & What our elected leaders really do behind closed doors. Sadly even SBS are not willing to cover all controversial stories Eg. (Sheriff Joe Arpaio findings on Obama's birth certificate) We need an independent to let us know the truth.

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