This is a "WikiLeaks News Update", a news update of stories relating directly to WikiLeaks and also freedom of information, transparency, cybersecurity, and freedom of expression.
News
The implications of SOPA, NDAA and mass telecommunication surveillance
- In an article published in Digital Trends, Geoff Duncan analyses the National Defense Authorization Act, proposed copyright bill SOPA and mass telecommunication surveillance. He asks the question: Will 2012 end up resembling George Orwell’s novel 1984?
The article also focuses on the link between NDAA and the possibility the work of WikiLeaks and Anonymous might, in the future, constitute terrorist activity:
“This may not seem to have anything to do with the Internet”, he writes of the NDAA, “until you think about groups like Anonymous and Wikileaks. Could Anonymous (or groups within Anonymous) attacking credit card operators, the threatening the NYSE, law enforcement organizations, or other organizations constitute terrorist activity? Similarly, would Wikileaks’ publication of classified U.S. diplomatic cables constitute terrorist activity? Suddenly, everyday Internet users speaking up in support of groups like Anonymous and Wikileaks might find themselves accused of aiding and facilitating terrorists. Similarly, if U.S. authorities decide these or similar groups’ activities constitute terrorism, members or alleged members might find themselves shipped to Guantanamo. No trial, no process, no appeal.”
Day of Action Against Guantanamo
- January 11 marks 10 years since Guantanamo Bay was established. A rally will take place in Washington DC to demand its closure and an end to indefinite detention and torture.
Guantanamo historian and WikiLeaks media partner Andy Worthington is travelling to the US to participate in this and other rallies across the country.
Australian Government on consular assistance provided to Julian Assange
- According to a letter that was made available online today, the Australian Government claims to not be able to disclose any details on consular support provided to Julian Assange, in order to protect his privacy. The Government’s apparent lack of assistance to Julian Assange is of concern to many Australian citizens and individuals worldwide who wish to see the rights of Julian Assange, an Australian citizen himself, protected. An open letter was created in December urging the Australian Government to intervene against his possible extradition to the United States.
Kristinn Hrafnsson will speak at International Journalism Festival in Perugia
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Recent Press Coverage of WikiLeaks Releases
- US told EU to force Taliban to be more violent in order to alienate Afghans: according to a US Embassy cable, Peter Lavoy, a former chairman of the US National Intelligence Council declared, during a private meeting in Brussels in 2008 that “the international community should put intense pressure on the Taliban in 2009 in order to bring out their more violent and ideologically radical tendencies.” as this would “alienate the population and give us an opportunity to separate the Taliban from the population.”
Forcing insurgents to attack civilians, WikiLeaks tweeted today, has been US military counter-insurgency policy since 2003. A Special Forces Unconventional Warfare Operations manual released by WikiLeaks details a similar strategy used by the US in El Salvador, through the implementation of Civilian Self-Defense Force programs:
When a village accepts the CSDF program, the insurgents cannot choose to ignore it. To let the village go unpunished will encourage other villages to accept the government's CSDF program. The insurgents have no choice; they have to attack the CSDF village to provide a lesson to other villages considering CSDF. In a sense, the psychological effectiveness of the CSDF concept starts by reversing the insurgent strategy of making the government the repressor. It forces the insurgents to cross a critical threshold-that of attacking and killing the very class of people they are supposed to be liberating.
Julian Assange wrote about this release in June 2008.
- Workers World reports on diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks revealing the role of the United States in helping Kenyan military forces invade Somalia.
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Upcoming WikiLeaks Dates (updated)
January 11: Day of Action Against Guantanamo: A rally will take place in Washington DC, with the presence of Guantanamo historian and WikiLeaks media partner Andy Worthington.
January 11: Julian Assange will have been under house arrest without charge for 400 days. Please visit Justice4Assange.com for more information on the extradition case.
January 14: Bradley Manning will have been in prison for 600 days.
January 16: A recommendation on whether Bradley Manning faces court-martial is expected. Final decision has no date set.
February 2: Julian Assange’s extradition appeal will be heard by the Supreme Court. Hearing will likely last 2 days. A support demonstration is planned outside of the Supreme Court, starting at 9AM.
April 25-29: WikiLeaks spokesperson Kristinn Hrafnsson and Italian journalist Stefania Maurizi, who has worked on several WikiLeaks releases, will speak at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia (Italy).
May 23: Julian Assange will speak at the Enterprise Information Management Congress 2012 (Netherlands).
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Action Campaigns (updated)
WikiLeaks
397 days of unlawful financial blockade.
Julian Assange
394 days under house arrest without charge.
- Show your support for Julian Assange at the Supreme Court of London, February 1st, at 9 AM.
- Nominate Julian Assange and WikiLeaks for the Nobel Peace Prize 2012: campaign website.
- Send at least one of the several call to action draft letters addressed to European organizations and Members of the European Parliament requesting action over the unjust treatment of Julian Assange.
Bradley Manning
591 days detained in military jail.
- new I am Bradley Manning campaign website with photos of supporters from around the world. Submit your own!
- A challenge proposed by the Bradley Manning Support Network: Stand with Bradley until his trial is over - pledge a monthly donation for the length of the trial. For more details see bradleymanning.org
Rudolf Elmer
- Liberté Info started a campaign to make whistleblower Rudolf Elmer’s trial an international issue. The campaign page is constantly updated with new developments on his case. Readers are encouraged to share.
