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Julian Assange makes statement after UN panel decision – live updates Julian Assange: UN panel decision is 'vindication' – live updates
(35 minutes later)
12.43pm GMT
12:43
The first writeups of Assange’s statement are coming in. The first take of the Press Assoication picks up on his criticism of the British foreign secretary, Philip Hammond:
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange remained inside the Ecuadorian Embassy today, launching an attack against the Government for its “insulting” response to a UN working group report on his detention.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond branded the working group’s findings on the “arbitrary detention” of Mr Assange as “frankly ridiculous” and said the Australian was “hiding from justice”.
He spoke out after the UN panel had ruled Mr Assange was being “arbitrarily detained” in the Ecuadorian embassy in London - and called for him to be paid compensation.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said the Swedish and British authorities should end Mr Assange’s “deprivation of liberty” and respect his physical integrity and freedom of movement.
Mr Assange spoke via Skype to a press conference in London, saying the UN report had brought a smile to his face, and insisting his detention had now been formally ruled as unlawful.
He said comments by Mr Hammond were “beneath” the minister’s stature and insulting to the UN.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press highlighted Assange’s assessment of the UN panel’s decision:
Julian Assange says a U.N. panel’s finding that he has been arbitrarily detained is a “vindication.”
The WikiLeaks founder says it is “now a matter of settled law” that he has been wrongly detained.
Assange spoke to journalists by video from the London embassy of Ecuador, where he has been holed up for 3½ years to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning about alleged sexual offenses.
Assange said Britain and Sweden cannot appeal the panel’s finding, but Britain has already indicated it will challenge.
12.37pm GMT
12:37
Here’s audio of the full 10 minute response from Assange.
12.32pm GMT
12:32
Here’s a video clip of Assange’s response.
12.32pm GMT
12:32
Assange closed by saying:
I would like to say thank you, that I miss my family. That we have today a really significant victory that has brought a smile to my face and I hope many others as well.
Updated
at 12.34pm GMT
12.28pm GMT
12:28
Assange thanked the UN for “producing this verdict”. He said it would help his case for freedom but was also an important ruling generally on arbitrary detention.
Assange thanks his lawyers.
12.27pm GMT
12:27
Assange said that if the UK and Sweden continued to undermine the panel’s finding they would be hit diplomatically. “We have now a victory, and decided law on this case,” he said.
12.24pm GMT
12:24
Assange insisted the panel’s findings were legally binding. The panel was a higher body than national law, he said.
Assange also described Philip Hammond’s comments as insulting and beneath a foreign secretary. He said Hammond’s claim that the finding was ridiculous was just for “domestic consumption”.
Assange claimed there was no appeal against the panel’s decision; it was a matter of “settled law”. Earlier the UN said Sweden and the UK had two months to contest the findings. But Assange said: “The time for appeal is over.”
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at 12.33pm GMT
12.20pm GMT
12:20
Assange appears via videolink: “Today that detention without charge has been found to be unlawful. I consider the outcome a vindication.”
Updated
at 12.30pm GMT
12.18pm GMT
12:18
Taylor says the panel recommendation of compensation for Assange highlights that he has become a victim of his whistleblowing.
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12.16pm GMT
12:16
Taylor says that the indefinite detention of Assange is a form of “mental torture”.
12.12pm GMT12.12pm GMT
12:1212:12
Melinda Taylor says the finding affirms that Assange has been a victim of a miscarriage of justice. “He has been detained for five years, one month and 29 days,” she says.Melinda Taylor says the finding affirms that Assange has been a victim of a miscarriage of justice. “He has been detained for five years, one month and 29 days,” she says.
“If you have no effective freedom, then you are detained ... yet Sweden and the UK refused to acknowledge that,” she added.“If you have no effective freedom, then you are detained ... yet Sweden and the UK refused to acknowledge that,” she added.
12.09pm GMT12.09pm GMT
12:0912:09
Lawyer Jennifer Robinson described the finding as “resounding victory for Mr Assange”.Lawyer Jennifer Robinson described the finding as “resounding victory for Mr Assange”.
12.01pm GMT12.01pm GMT
12:0112:01
The Frontline club press conference is about to get underway. Assange supporters are sitting in front of a big screen where the Wikileaks founder is expected to appear via Skype. The Frontline club press conference is about to get under way. Assange supporters are sitting in front of a big screen where the Wikileaks founder is expected to appear via Skype.
John Jones QC, Melinda Taylor, Jennifer Robinson and Baltasar Garzon will give presentations before Assange is due to appear.John Jones QC, Melinda Taylor, Jennifer Robinson and Baltasar Garzon will give presentations before Assange is due to appear.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.04pm GMT at 12.20pm GMT
11.54am GMT11.54am GMT
11:5411:54
Downing Street has echoed Hammond’s line on the panel’s finding.Downing Street has echoed Hammond’s line on the panel’s finding.
David Cameron’s spokesman said:David Cameron’s spokesman said:
“It’s ridiculous. There’s a European arrest warrant out for him. He has never been arbitrarily detained in this country.“It’s ridiculous. There’s a European arrest warrant out for him. He has never been arbitrarily detained in this country.
“It’s entirely his choice to remain in the Ecuadorian embassy and he is avoiding lawful arrest by choosing to remain there.”“It’s entirely his choice to remain in the Ecuadorian embassy and he is avoiding lawful arrest by choosing to remain there.”
11.51am GMT11.51am GMT
11:5111:51
The Guardian’s Esther Addley is in prime position for the Assange press conference at the Frontline club.The Guardian’s Esther Addley is in prime position for the Assange press conference at the Frontline club.
Hosting press conference with Julian Assange in response to UN legal panel ruling - live at https://t.co/CNtUg7cdTw pic.twitter.com/Bu31qm3t7xHosting press conference with Julian Assange in response to UN legal panel ruling - live at https://t.co/CNtUg7cdTw pic.twitter.com/Bu31qm3t7x
#Assange expected to appear by video link at 12pm press conference. This is the scene with an hour to go.. pic.twitter.com/BeuANslal5#Assange expected to appear by video link at 12pm press conference. This is the scene with an hour to go.. pic.twitter.com/BeuANslal5
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at 11.52am GMTat 11.52am GMT
11.47am GMT11.47am GMT
11:4711:47
Here’s video of Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond describing the finding as “flawed in law” and “frankly ridiculous”. Here’s footage of the foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, describing the finding as “flawed in law” and “frankly ridiculous”.
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11.44am GMT11.44am GMT
11:4411:44
Ecuador’s foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, says his government will give its response at 7am local time (noon in the UK). Ecuador’s foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, says his government will give its response at 7am local time (midday UK time).
Ofreceré la reacción del Ecuador ante la Disposición del Grupo de Trabajo de la ONU en el caso #Assange. @teleSURtv 7h00; @CNNEE 7h30Ofreceré la reacción del Ecuador ante la Disposición del Grupo de Trabajo de la ONU en el caso #Assange. @teleSURtv 7h00; @CNNEE 7h30
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11.38am GMT11.38am GMT
11:3811:38
The respected international lawyer, Philippe Sands, doesn’t think much of the panel’s finding.The respected international lawyer, Philippe Sands, doesn’t think much of the panel’s finding.
Have read the full WGAD #Assange report - poorly reasoned and unpersuasive. Not the UN’s finest day https://t.co/Wmq2YGHiBiHave read the full WGAD #Assange report - poorly reasoned and unpersuasive. Not the UN’s finest day https://t.co/Wmq2YGHiBi
Neither does the legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg.Neither does the legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg.
Excellent @guardian leader today on Assange. Reminds us he has broken bail conditions. https://t.co/PZLPPpV2ea And, no, I didn’t write it.Excellent @guardian leader today on Assange. Reminds us he has broken bail conditions. https://t.co/PZLPPpV2ea And, no, I didn’t write it.
11.35am GMT11.35am GMT
11:3511:35
The Daily Mash pokes fun at the panel’s finding.The Daily Mash pokes fun at the panel’s finding.
A Man who has been waiting for his Argos purchase for more than 15 minutes is being detained in violation of his human rights, the UN has ruled.A Man who has been waiting for his Argos purchase for more than 15 minutes is being detained in violation of his human rights, the UN has ruled.
Tom Logan was given his ticket for a Nespresso coffee machine at 9.46am, but is still confined within the store at 10.02am with no end to his ordeal in sight.Tom Logan was given his ticket for a Nespresso coffee machine at 9.46am, but is still confined within the store at 10.02am with no end to his ordeal in sight.
Variations on the same gag abound.Variations on the same gag abound.
UN demands compo too for Assange. I demand beer and curry from the Govt every time I'm forced to stay in and watch Sky SportsUN demands compo too for Assange. I demand beer and curry from the Govt every time I'm forced to stay in and watch Sky Sports
Remember when Ronnie Biggs was arbitrarily detained in Brazil for over 30 years? #assange @DavidAllenGreenRemember when Ronnie Biggs was arbitrarily detained in Brazil for over 30 years? #assange @DavidAllenGreen
11.28am GMT11.28am GMT
11:2811:28
Jessica ElgotJessica Elgot
Jessica Elgot reports live from press scrum at the Ecuadorian embassy: Jessica Elgot reports live from the press scrum at the Ecuadorian embassy:
The backstreets of luxury apartments behind Harrods department store which look on to the front of the Ecuadorian embassy are once more crammed with the international press, two or three deep back from the kerb. The back streets of luxury apartments behind Harrods department store which look on to the front of the Ecuadorian embassy are once more crammed with the international press, two or three deep back from the kerb.
Reporters are here from the US, Sweden, Australia, Germany and Russia, among others, hoping that Julian Assange may stride out for an impromptu speech from the famous balcony, though there is no indication that he will. Reporters are here from the US, Sweden, Australia, Germany and Russia, among others, hoping that Julian Assange may stride out for an impromptu speech from the famous balcony, though there is no indication he will.
A police van moved to the front of the balcony in the last few hours, though police have not regularly been stationed here since the Met downgraded their operations at the Embassy last year, after the regular policing here had cost the taxpayer more than £12m. A police van moved to the front of the balcony in the last few hours, though police have not regularly been stationed here since the Met downgraded their presence at the embassy last year, with the operation having cost the taxpayer more than £12m.
Amongst the crowds of cameramen, around a dozen Assange supporters have been here throughout the morning. Among the crowds of photographers, around a dozen Assange supporters have been here throughout the morning.
Jim Curran, a former railway engineer and WikiLeaks supporter, who has visited the embassy almost every day since Assange entered, said at one point the vigil had numbered 150, but people slowly drifted away.Jim Curran, a former railway engineer and WikiLeaks supporter, who has visited the embassy almost every day since Assange entered, said at one point the vigil had numbered 150, but people slowly drifted away.
Curran said he did not expect to see Assange appear today. “Many people wanted to be here, but they have jobs, students are at university, it’s not really surprising,” he said.Curran said he did not expect to see Assange appear today. “Many people wanted to be here, but they have jobs, students are at university, it’s not really surprising,” he said.
Updated
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11.16am GMT11.16am GMT
11:1611:16
Assange’s barrister Geoffrey Robertson has urged the UK and Swedish authorities to abide by the panel’s finding.Assange’s barrister Geoffrey Robertson has urged the UK and Swedish authorities to abide by the panel’s finding.
Speaking to BBC News he said:Speaking to BBC News he said:
“Sweden has acted contrary to international law. Sweden is bound morally by this judgment so obviously in order to enforce it, Britain should get together with Sweden and find a way out. And perhaps compensate the Ecuadorians for putting up Julian Assange. That is the result of Britain’s commitment to international law.”“Sweden has acted contrary to international law. Sweden is bound morally by this judgment so obviously in order to enforce it, Britain should get together with Sweden and find a way out. And perhaps compensate the Ecuadorians for putting up Julian Assange. That is the result of Britain’s commitment to international law.”
11.08am GMT11.08am GMT
11:0811:08
Philip Hammond also dismissed the panel’s finding as “flawed in law”. Here’s audio of his statement:Philip Hammond also dismissed the panel’s finding as “flawed in law”. Here’s audio of his statement:
10.59am GMT10.59am GMT
10:5910:59
Jessica ElgotJessica Elgot
The Guardian’s Jessica Elgot has joined the media scrum outside the Ecuadorian embassy.The Guardian’s Jessica Elgot has joined the media scrum outside the Ecuadorian embassy.
Hundreds of press here outside Ecuadorian embassy from across the world, hoping for a peek of Assange pic.twitter.com/M5KSaJNLWQHundreds of press here outside Ecuadorian embassy from across the world, hoping for a peek of Assange pic.twitter.com/M5KSaJNLWQ
The police van has moved to just in front of the embassy balcony. Coppers were stationed round the corner yesterday pic.twitter.com/qZ7YWnUlOyThe police van has moved to just in front of the embassy balcony. Coppers were stationed round the corner yesterday pic.twitter.com/qZ7YWnUlOy
This is Jim Curran, who has visited the Embassy to support Assange almost every day. pic.twitter.com/E0vjeUop2TThis is Jim Curran, who has visited the Embassy to support Assange almost every day. pic.twitter.com/E0vjeUop2T
10.56am GMT10.56am GMT
10:5610:56
A Guardian editorial on the panel’s finding agrees with the Hammond’s assessment.A Guardian editorial on the panel’s finding agrees with the Hammond’s assessment.
It says the panel’s opinion is “simply wrong”:It says the panel’s opinion is “simply wrong”:
“[Assange] is not being detained arbitrarily. Three-and-a-half years ago, he sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in order to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sex offences. He had fought extradition through every court, and at each his case was rejected. “Arbitrary” detention means that due legal process has not been observed. It has. This is a publicity stunt.“[Assange] is not being detained arbitrarily. Three-and-a-half years ago, he sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in order to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sex offences. He had fought extradition through every court, and at each his case was rejected. “Arbitrary” detention means that due legal process has not been observed. It has. This is a publicity stunt.
It is possible to sympathise with his circumstances, and to applaud his role in the WikiLeaks revelations that exposed embarassing and sometimes illegal US activity that were published in the Guardian (while deploring his later decision to dump many more, unmediated, on the web) without accepting his right to evade prosecutors’ questions about the allegation that he committed a serious criminal offence.It is possible to sympathise with his circumstances, and to applaud his role in the WikiLeaks revelations that exposed embarassing and sometimes illegal US activity that were published in the Guardian (while deploring his later decision to dump many more, unmediated, on the web) without accepting his right to evade prosecutors’ questions about the allegation that he committed a serious criminal offence.
He has always argued that it is not the sex offence inquiries that he is avoiding, but extradition from Sweden to the US. Chelsea Manning, the soldier who originally downloaded the material and leaked it to Mr Assange, is serving a long sentence in military detention. There are indications that WikiLeaks is in the US justice department’s sights: it’s been confirmed that a grand jury is investigating; no indictment has been made public, but that does not mean there is none. Equally, the justice department could decide to make a distinction between government employees and military personnel who had a duty to protect classified information, and those who, like Mr Assange, published it. But WikiLeaks was founded on exposing those who ignored the rule of law. Surely its editor-in-chief should recognise his duty to see it upheld.He has always argued that it is not the sex offence inquiries that he is avoiding, but extradition from Sweden to the US. Chelsea Manning, the soldier who originally downloaded the material and leaked it to Mr Assange, is serving a long sentence in military detention. There are indications that WikiLeaks is in the US justice department’s sights: it’s been confirmed that a grand jury is investigating; no indictment has been made public, but that does not mean there is none. Equally, the justice department could decide to make a distinction between government employees and military personnel who had a duty to protect classified information, and those who, like Mr Assange, published it. But WikiLeaks was founded on exposing those who ignored the rule of law. Surely its editor-in-chief should recognise his duty to see it upheld.
10.46am GMT
10:46
Hammond rejects finding as 'ridiculous'
Foreign secretary Philip Hammond has rejected the panel’s opinion as a “ridiculous”.
He said: “It is right the he [Assange] not be allowed to escape justice. This is frankly a ridiculous finding”.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart in London, Hammond said Assange was in fact “hiding from justice”.
10.41am GMT
10:41
On whether the panel’s finding was legally binding Peschoux answer was also nuanced. He said:
“The working group is issuing an opinion, because it is working group it is not a court, so it is not issuing rulings. The working group is the highest UN authoritative body to deal with disputes between a person who is in detention and authorities detaining them ... The opinion is legally binding to the extent that it is based on international human rights norms which have been ratified by states.”
10.29am GMT
10:29
Here’s audio of that UN press conference in Geneva. Peschoux opened with the cryptic statement: “The panel has decided that the detention [of Assange] maybe legal but it is arbitrary.”
Baffled reporters were told to look at the details of the opinion to understand what that meant.
Updated
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10.18am GMT
10:18
Peschoux said it was “very unusual” for such a panel ruling not to be unanimous. He said they were usually based on consensus. Three of the five member panel supported the ruling. One member dissented, an Australian member of the panel absented herself as she shares Assange’s nationality.
10.13am GMT
10:13
Peschoux said the UK and Sweden had two months to contest the panel’s 3 to 1 ruling.
10.08am GMT
10:08
Christophe Peschoux, a senior official at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, insists that the panel’s finding is in effect legally binding because its based on international human rights law.
Speaking in Geneva he said it was up to Britain and Sweden to decide on what level of compensation Assange should be offered.
Updated
at 10.11am GMT
9.58am GMT
09:58
Owen Bowcott
The former chair of the UNWGAD panel, the Norwegian lawyer Professor Mads Andenas, told Owen Bowcott that the expert lawyers and members of the group had come under considerable political pressure from the US and UK when compiling the highly critical report.
Andenas completed his term in office last summer but was involved in earlier stages of compiling the report on Assange’s arbitrary detention. He endorsed the broad result of the findings released on Friday.
“I’m absolutely convinced that [the panel] has been put under very string political pressure,” he said.
“This is a courageous decision which is important for the international rule of law.
“This is a clear, and for people who read it, an obvious, decision. It’s an outcome of a judicial process in which Sweden and the UK have taken part. It was before a specialist body at the UN, the only UN body dealing with arbitrary detention.”
There was a clear finding under Article Nine of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that Assange is subject to arbitrary detention, he explained.
“If this finding had been made against any other country with a human rights record that one does not wish to compare oneself with, then these states [Sweden and UK] would have made it clear that the [offending] country should comply with the ruling of the working group. It’s not a good thing for any country to get a ruling for arbitrary detention against it.
“For the international human rights system to function, states must abide by the rulings. There’s no other way to deal with it. If the state is in violation of international law, it’s for the state to find ways to give effect to the [panel’s] decision.”
9.54am GMT
09:54
Sweden’s ministry for foreign affairs has released a three-page letter rejecting the panel’s findings. It seized on the dissenting opinion from one of the panel’s five members.
Here are the key passages:
In its opinion, the Working Group considers that the current situation of Mr. Assange, staying within the confines of the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador in the United Kingdom, has become a state of an arbitrary deprivation of liberty in contravention of international human rights obligations.
To begin with, the Government notes that one of the five members of the Working Group has expressed an individual dissenting opinion, arguing that Mr. Assange fled the bail in June 2012 and since then stays at the premises of the Ecuadorian Embassy using them as a safe haven to evade arrest. According to the dissent, such premises of self-confinement cannot be considered as places of detention for the purposes of the mandate of the Working Group. In addition, it is contended that the Working Group is not competent to consider situations that do not involve deprivation of liberty and that issues related to fugitives’ self-confimement, such as asylum and extradition, do not fall into the mandate of the Working Group.
The Government does not agree with the assessment made by the majority of the Working Group. As elaborated in the Swedish Government’s communication to the Working Group, the main reasons for this are the following.
In light of the safeguards contained in the Swedish extradition and EAW procedures against any potential extradition in violation of international human rights agreements, the Government reiterates its position that Mr. Assange does not face a risk of refoulement contrary to international human rights obligations to the United States from Sweden. In any case, no request for extradition regarding Mr. Assange has been directed to Sweden. Moreover, Mr. Assange has chosen, voluntarily, to stay at the Ecuadorian Embassy and Swedish authorities have no control over his decision to stay there. Mr. Assange is free to leave the Embassy at any point. Thus, he is not being deprived of his liberty there due to any decision or action taken by the Swedish authorities. The Government therefore refutes the opinion by the Working Group that Sweden has violated articles 9 and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 7, 9(1), 9(3), 9(4), 10 and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Furthermore, in Sweden any decision regarding the preliminary investigation, for example regarding detention in absentia, is taken by independent judicial authorities. The Swedish Government may therefore not interfere in an ongoing case handled by a Swedish public authority. This follows from the Swedish Instrument of Government and basic principles of the rule of law. The Swedish Office of the Prosecutor and the courts are thus independent and separated from the Government.
As to the request by the Working Group that the Government of Sweden and the Government of the United Kingdom assess the situation of Mr. Assange (para. 100 of the opinion), it should be emphasised that regular contacts between the two countries take place, primarily in order to facilitate the preliminary investigation by the Swedish Office of the Prosecutor. It should also be pointed out that an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between Ecuador and Sweden entered into force on 22 December 2015.
It may finally be noted that the Government has transmitted the opinion of the Working Group to the Office of the Prosecutor and relevant courts, for their information.
Updated
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9.43am GMT
09:43
Former British diplomat Craig Murray points out that Sweden and the UK are in dodgy company by challenging the UN panel.
In a blogpost he writes:
Julian Assange has never been charged with any offence. His detention has been unlawful since his very first arrest in the United Kingdom in 2010. There has never been any genuine attempt by the Swedish authorities to investigate the allegations against him. Those are the findings of the United Nations.
The UK and Swedish governments both participated fully, and at great expense to their taxpayers, in this UN process which is a mechanism that both recognise. States including Iran, Burma and Russia have released prisoners following determination by this UN panel, which consists not of politicians or diplomats but of some of the world’s most respected lawyers, who are not representing their national governments.
Countries who have ignored rulings by this UN panel are rare. No democracy has ever done so. Recent examples are Egypt and Uzbekistan. The UK is putting itself in pretty company.
It would be an act of extraordinary dereliction by the UK and Swedish governments to accept the authority of the tribunal, participate fully in the process, and then refuse to accept the outcome.
9.34am GMT
09:34
The UN is about to give a press briefing in Geneva on the panel’s findings. You can follow it here...
Watch: Live press briefing on the details of #Assange's arbitrary detention case https://t.co/JInciPe1QV @UNGeneva
Updated
at 9.37am GMT