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| Julian Assange: UN panel decision is 'vindication' – live updates | Julian Assange: UN panel decision is 'vindication' – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.39pm GMT | |
| 13:39 | |
| Jessica Elgot | |
| Peter Tatchell, the prominent human rights activist, has joined theswelling numbers of Assange supporters outside the Ecuadorian embassy, writes Jessica Elgot. | |
| He was highly critical of the Swedish prosecutor Marianne Ny and the delay in questioning Assange at the embassy. Swedish and Ecuadorian legal teams only last month reached agreement which would allow the interview to take place. | |
| Tatchell said: “The Swedish prosecutor kept imposed many unreasonable conditions. It is a key principle of justice that it should not be delayed. If the Swedish prosecutor decides to interview him here and finds there is credible evidence to charge him, then he should of course face justice, but if there isn’t ...” | |
| Tatchell, who has visited Assange on several occasions, called the WikiLeaks founder “a realist” about his prospects of leaving the embassy a free man. “But he is hopeful that justice will eventually prevail. David Cameron is consistently condemning, rightly, countries who do not respect the UN. Now his government is doing exactly thesame.” | |
| Tatchell is a long-standing supporter of Assange, here today with a growing number of activists pic.twitter.com/kWcP5vpeGE | |
| 1.13pm GMT | 1.13pm GMT |
| 13:13 | 13:13 |
| Esther Addley | Esther Addley |
| Here’s the start of Esther Addley’s first take on Assange’s remarks: | Here’s the start of Esther Addley’s first take on Assange’s remarks: |
| Julian Assange has accused Britain’s foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, of insulting the United Nations in his response to a panel finding that Assange’s circumstances amount to “arbitrary detention”. | Julian Assange has accused Britain’s foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, of insulting the United Nations in his response to a panel finding that Assange’s circumstances amount to “arbitrary detention”. |
| Hammond called the panel’s finding “ridiculous” and said the Wikileaks founder was a “fugitive from justice”. Assange said the remarks were “beneath the stature that a foreign minister should express in this situation”. | Hammond called the panel’s finding “ridiculous” and said the Wikileaks founder was a “fugitive from justice”. Assange said the remarks were “beneath the stature that a foreign minister should express in this situation”. |
| Assange said of the panel’s finding: “This is the end of the road for the legal arguments that have been put forward by Sweden and the UK.” | Assange said of the panel’s finding: “This is the end of the road for the legal arguments that have been put forward by Sweden and the UK.” |
| Appearing at a west London press conference by videolink from the Ecuadorian embassy, where he has remained since seeking asylum in 2012, Assange said that if Sweden and the UK continued to dispute the report, “the diplomatic effect is that it will become difficult for [the two countries] to be treated seriously as international players”. | Appearing at a west London press conference by videolink from the Ecuadorian embassy, where he has remained since seeking asylum in 2012, Assange said that if Sweden and the UK continued to dispute the report, “the diplomatic effect is that it will become difficult for [the two countries] to be treated seriously as international players”. |
| Related: Julian Assange accuses UK minister of insulting UN after detention finding | Related: Julian Assange accuses UK minister of insulting UN after detention finding |
| 1.10pm GMT | 1.10pm GMT |
| 13:10 | 13:10 |
| Owen Bowcott | Owen Bowcott |
| Lord Macdonald QC, the former Director of Public Prosecutions, condemned the UN panel report as misguided, writes Owen Bowcott. | Lord Macdonald QC, the former Director of Public Prosecutions, condemned the UN panel report as misguided, writes Owen Bowcott. |
| He told The Guardian: “This report is beyond parody. Julian Assange is wanted in connection with a grave sexual offence in a country that has a fair trial justice system consistent with the highest international standards. Instead of cooperating with the Swedish authorities, as he should have done, Mr Assange has chosen to hole up in a foreign embassy, deliberately frustrating a serious criminal investigation. | He told The Guardian: “This report is beyond parody. Julian Assange is wanted in connection with a grave sexual offence in a country that has a fair trial justice system consistent with the highest international standards. Instead of cooperating with the Swedish authorities, as he should have done, Mr Assange has chosen to hole up in a foreign embassy, deliberately frustrating a serious criminal investigation. |
| “To describe his situation as ‘arbitrary detention’ is ludicrous. Rather than expecting Swedish prosecutors to visit him at his leisure in his hiding place, Mr Assange should recognise that he is not above the law, give himself up and answer the allegations he faces. The United Nations Panel on Arbitrary Detention has embarrassed itself and all those concerned about real injustices in the world. | “To describe his situation as ‘arbitrary detention’ is ludicrous. Rather than expecting Swedish prosecutors to visit him at his leisure in his hiding place, Mr Assange should recognise that he is not above the law, give himself up and answer the allegations he faces. The United Nations Panel on Arbitrary Detention has embarrassed itself and all those concerned about real injustices in the world. |
| 1.08pm GMT | 1.08pm GMT |
| 13:08 | 13:08 |
| Back at the Frontline club, where the press conference is still going on, Melinda Taylor confirms that Assange won’t be walking out of the Ecuadorian embassy. “Mr Assange will not be walking out because of a risk [of being extradited] to the United States. It is a risk that hasn’t been addressed by Sweden and the United Kingdom,” she said. | Back at the Frontline club, where the press conference is still going on, Melinda Taylor confirms that Assange won’t be walking out of the Ecuadorian embassy. “Mr Assange will not be walking out because of a risk [of being extradited] to the United States. It is a risk that hasn’t been addressed by Sweden and the United Kingdom,” she said. |
| 12.57pm GMT | 12.57pm GMT |
| 12:57 | 12:57 |
| Jessica Elgot | Jessica Elgot |
| Jessica Elgot has more from the Assange supporters gathering at the Ecuadorian embassy: | Jessica Elgot has more from the Assange supporters gathering at the Ecuadorian embassy: |
| The WikiLeaks supporters who have kept vigil for Julian Assange since he arrived at the Embassy are a close bunch, with many arriving at midday for moral support as Assange prepared to address the Frontline club via video link. | The WikiLeaks supporters who have kept vigil for Julian Assange since he arrived at the Embassy are a close bunch, with many arriving at midday for moral support as Assange prepared to address the Frontline club via video link. |
| Homemade posters have been put up on the White iron bars at the front of the embassy and on the railings of the flats facing it. Addressing the press pack through a megaphone, former Spanish teacher Elsa Collins said the UK government was detaining Assange illegally. | Homemade posters have been put up on the White iron bars at the front of the embassy and on the railings of the flats facing it. Addressing the press pack through a megaphone, former Spanish teacher Elsa Collins said the UK government was detaining Assange illegally. |
| “The UK government is breaking international law, they try to say they abide by United Nations but they do not. He has been deprived of all human rights. UK and Sweden must be held accountable. This is not a democracy if they arrest Julian Assange. We demand our governments obey international law.” | “The UK government is breaking international law, they try to say they abide by United Nations but they do not. He has been deprived of all human rights. UK and Sweden must be held accountable. This is not a democracy if they arrest Julian Assange. We demand our governments obey international law.” |
| 12.54pm GMT | 12.54pm GMT |
| 12:54 | 12:54 |
| Andrew Sparrow | Andrew Sparrow |
| Andrew Sparrow has more on Downing Street condemnation of the UN panel’s finding. | Andrew Sparrow has more on Downing Street condemnation of the UN panel’s finding. |
| A spokesman for the prime minister said: “It’s ridiculous.There’s an arrest warrant out for [Assange]. He has never been arbitrarily detained in this country. It is entirely his choice to remain in the Ecuadorian embassy and he is avoiding lawful arrest by choosing to remain there.” | A spokesman for the prime minister said: “It’s ridiculous.There’s an arrest warrant out for [Assange]. He has never been arbitrarily detained in this country. It is entirely his choice to remain in the Ecuadorian embassy and he is avoiding lawful arrest by choosing to remain there.” |
| The spokesman also said that the people on the UN panel were lay people rather than lawyers, and that every time Assange had challenged the legal process in court, in every legal jurisdiction, he had lost. | The spokesman also said that the people on the UN panel were lay people rather than lawyers, and that every time Assange had challenged the legal process in court, in every legal jurisdiction, he had lost. |
| The Swedish has issued an arrest warrant for Assange in connection with some very serious offences, the spokesman went on, and Britain would put that warrant into effect if it could. | The Swedish has issued an arrest warrant for Assange in connection with some very serious offences, the spokesman went on, and Britain would put that warrant into effect if it could. |
| “Ultimately it is a question for Mr Assange why has has chosen to detain himself in this way,” the spokesman said. | “Ultimately it is a question for Mr Assange why has has chosen to detain himself in this way,” the spokesman said. |
| 12.51pm GMT | 12.51pm GMT |
| 12:51 | 12:51 |
| Here’s a summary of where things stand: | Here’s a summary of where things stand: |
| 12.43pm GMT | 12.43pm GMT |
| 12:43 | 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: | 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. | 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”. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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.” | 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. | 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 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. | Assange said Britain and Sweden cannot appeal the panel’s finding, but Britain has already indicated it will challenge. |
| 12.37pm GMT | 12.37pm GMT |
| 12:37 | 12:37 |
| Here’s audio of the full 10 minute response from Assange. | Here’s audio of the full 10 minute response from Assange. |
| 12.32pm GMT | 12.32pm GMT |
| 12:32 | 12:32 |
| Here’s a video clip of Assange’s response. | Here’s a video clip of Assange’s response. |
| 12.32pm GMT | 12.32pm GMT |
| 12:32 | 12:32 |
| Assange closed by saying: | 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. | 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 | Updated |
| at 12.34pm GMT | at 12.34pm GMT |
| 12.28pm GMT | 12.28pm GMT |
| 12:28 | 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 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. | Assange thanks his lawyers. |
| 12.27pm GMT | 12.27pm GMT |
| 12:27 | 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. | 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 | 12.24pm GMT |
| 12:24 | 12:24 |
| Assange insisted the panel’s findings were legally binding. The panel was a higher body than national law, he said. | 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 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.” | 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.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.33pm GMT | at 12.33pm GMT |
| 12.20pm GMT | 12.20pm GMT |
| 12:20 | 12:20 |
| Assange appears via videolink: “Today that detention without charge has been found to be unlawful. I consider the outcome a vindication.” | Assange appears via videolink: “Today that detention without charge has been found to be unlawful. I consider the outcome a vindication.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.30pm GMT | at 12.30pm GMT |
| 12.18pm GMT | 12.18pm GMT |
| 12:18 | 12:18 |
| Taylor says the panel recommendation of compensation for Assange highlights that he has become a victim of his whistleblowing. | Taylor says the panel recommendation of compensation for Assange highlights that he has become a victim of his whistleblowing. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.20pm GMT | at 12.20pm GMT |
| 12.16pm GMT | 12.16pm GMT |
| 12:16 | 12:16 |
| Taylor says that the indefinite detention of Assange is a form of “mental torture”. | Taylor says that the indefinite detention of Assange is a form of “mental torture”. |
| 12.12pm GMT | 12.12pm GMT |
| 12:12 | 12:12 |
| 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 GMT | 12.09pm GMT |
| 12:09 | 12:09 |
| 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 GMT | 12.01pm GMT |
| 12:01 | 12:01 |
| 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. | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.20pm GMT | at 12.20pm GMT |
| 11.54am GMT | 11.54am GMT |
| 11:54 | 11:54 |
| 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.” |