British to storm Equador embassy.

[jimslip]

Thereby risking all our embassies throughout the world. Why is Julian Assange so wanted by the authorities that they are willing to break an age old tradition of diplomatic immunity.

Its got to be the Yanks, surely?

Since when would the authorities go to these lengths to go after someone accused of a sex offence? The British don't give a toss about Assange, but the Yanks will do anything to silence him, so they are leaning on us and they will lean on the Swedes and eventually they will get their hands on this man and lock him up for ever.

It's an absolute disgrace that we are so spineless in the face of these international warmongers and bullies.

[Flat_Eric]

Yes it stinks doesn't it? Even the Grocer's Daughter drew the line at violating the sovereignty of the Libyan embassy after WPC Yvonne Flethcer was shot.

I know the "dip?omatic immunity" system is sometimes abused by pretty much all governments to a greater or lesser degree to enable their diplomats to avoid everything from parking fines to murder charges, which makes the system is far from perfect.

But if this were to happen then everyone's embassies throughout the world (those especially in countries run by less scrupulous and totalitarian regimes) would become fair game, with worrying repercussions.

- Eric

[David Johnson]

I suspect that this is just racheting up the pressure. I would be surprised if they acted on it.

Why should they? They can arrest Assange as soon as he sets foot outside the building so they just need two or three plod assigned to keep an eye out.

On the subject of the extradition act, remember Gary McKinnon? The Gary McKinnon that Cleggie and Cameron pledged to help while in opposition. Getting on towards two and a half years now and still no decision.

Supposedly, it is due in mid-October. Apparently May has had other more pressing concerns!

[jimslip]

It makes one wonder whether the charges of sexual assault have been trumped up by spooks. What better way to rubbish someone's credibility than claim that that person is an unstable sex pervert.

[jimslip]

Makes you vomit hearing the foreign office claiming Equador is missusing the provisions of the Vienna Convention because of the allegations against Assange.

What about the dozens of allegations of sexual assault and rape that have been filed against Saudi diplomats in the past.

I wonder why they didn't storm their embassy?!confused!

[Peter]

jimslip wrote:

> It makes one wonder whether the charges of sexual assault have
> been trumped up by spooks. What better way to rubbish someone's
> credibility than claim that that person is an unstable sex
> pervert.


Well the charges were initially dropped, before being being mysteriously reopened for some reason.

[frankthring]

Quite right, Jim, quite right....the whole business stinks and it is a clear as
day that the Yanks are behind it.

[Flat_Eric]

It will be interesting to see how this pans out now that he's been granted asylum.

- Eric

[Porn Baron]

This will be interesting. Will they allow him to leave? would he really want to go to a country that scores very for human rights????

This is what human rights watch says.
Corruption, inefficiency, and political influence have plagued the Ecuadorian judiciary for many years. In a referendum held in 2011, President Rafael Correa obtained a popular mandate for constitutional reforms that could significantly increase government powers to constrain media and influence the appointment and dismissal of judges.

Ecuador?s laws restrict freedom of expression, and government officials, including Correa, use these laws against his critics. Those involved in protests marred by violence may be prosecuted on inflated and inappropriate ?terrorism? charges.

Impunity for police abuses is widespread and perpetrators of murders often attributed to a ?settling of accounts? between criminal gangs are rarely prosecuted and convicted.

Maybe he will stay in the embassey for the rest of his life?

[Essex Lad]

Porn Baron wrote:


>
> This is what human rights watch says.
> Corruption, inefficiency, and political influence have plagued
> the British judiciary for many years. In a referendum held
> in 2010, David Cameron did not obtain a popular mandate for
> constitutional reforms including an elected house of Lords yet still intends to significantly increase
> government powers to constrain media via the Leveson Enquiry and influence the
> appointment and dismissal of judges.
>
> Britain's laws restrict freedom of expression, and government
> officials, including former PM Tony Blair, use these laws against his
> critics. Those involved in protests marred by violence (or even peaceful ones) may be
> prosecuted on inflated and inappropriate ?terrorism? charges especially if for example they read out a list of war dead by the Cenotaph.
>
> Impunity for police abuses especially against innocent albeit drunk newspaper sellers is widespread and perpetrators of
> murders often attributed to a ?settling of accounts? between
> criminal gangs are rarely prosecuted and convicted.
>
>
Not much different from here really, is it?