Official - 'Assange Asylum will be Granted'

Ed Geraghty made the following statement regarding reports that Ecuador's president Rafael Correa has agreed to grant Julian Assange asylum in Ecuador:

"If these reports are accurate then it is clear that Ecuador recognises the risks faced by Julian Assange and others who seek to expose Government and corporate wrong-doing. It may be a positive step for an Ecuador that has itself pursued crackdowns on private media and public dissent, however I hope that this is not an attempt to score political points, but a legitimate humanitarian move".

"Whether we like the decision or not, the principle of asylum must be supported. The decision to grant asylum is Ecuador's alone. It would be disastrous if the British, American or Swedish governments attempted to interfere with a vital process in protecting human rights globally."

"Even if asylum is granted, it is unclear as to whether Assange will be able to leave the Ecuadorian embassy. Assange would still be subject to arrest by the police on leaving the embassy for breaching the terms of his bail"

"Whistleblowers face terrible risks exposing wrong-doing in ever more dangerous conditions as governments world-wide, including in the UK, are pushing for more thorough and pervasive surveillance. Even now Wikileaks is facing a digital attack, whilst it and similar organisations work hard to ensure that dangerous practices, illegality and serious issues that are in the public interest are exposed - The Pirate Party UK supports them in that effort."

Note: Rafael Correa issued a statement via twitter here stating that no decision on the asylum application has yet been made.

Ed Geraghty
Foreign Policy Spokesperson
Pirate Party UK
@tuoniPPUK

campaigns@pirateparty.org.uk

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