2012-01-01 #WikiLeaks News: A New Year’s Message; Updated Events & Support Campaigns; Other News
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.
2011 ended with the alarming approval of the National Defense Authorization Act by the US Congress, which places ultimate authority on the President of the United States to decide on the indefinite military detention of terrorism suspects worldwide. The bill was signed on New Year’s Eve, its strategic timing reminiscent of the date set for Bradley Manning’s pre-trial hearing, which also took place during last year’s holiday season.
As of the 1st of 2012:
Assange: 391 days of detainment without charge
Manning: 588 days in military jail without trial trial
Julian Assange and Bradley Manning have been detained for well over a year, and WikiLeaks is still operating under unlawful financial embargo, imposed by major banking companies at request of the US Government. Two of these companies (VISA and Mastercard) currently refusing to process funds to WikiLeaks, controversially channel donations to white supremacist groups that encourage and/or perpetrate violent acts, such as the KKK, English Defence League and Aryan Nations.
Further, the pre-trial of Bradley Manning, that finally took place last month, made clear how determined prosecution is to link Manning to Julian Assange (even recurring to the presentation of chat logs as evidence in court, despite it being impossible to accurately determine users’ identities). The risk of extradition to the US for Julian Assange is increasingly evident as are the efforts to prosecute WikiLeaks.
By releasing information to the public exposing Government abuses and corruption, WikiLeaks and its volunteers risk their freedom and lives so that we can be informed and able to defend our rights. WikiLeaks pays service to all of us and it is us, the people, who risk to be silenced when its existence and that of future whistleblowing organizations is threatened.
Therefore it is clear that if our freedoms are to be preserved, action must be taken to protect WikiLeaks.
To facilitate this, WikiLeaks has created and is currently promoting the website Friends of WikiLeaks (FoWL) that is soon to be launched:
Please join, and also find out about other ways you can support WikiLeaks.
Action to defend freedom of speech and information will prove decisive throughout the New Year.
News
- A recommendation on charges faced by Bradley Manning and whether the case will go to court-martial is expected by January 16 (earliest). Although this recommendation will be made by Investigating Officer Almanza, a final decision has no date set and is to be made by Major General Michael S. Linnington, commander of the Military District of Washington, who ordered investigation against Manning to begin with.
- Protesters gathered outside US President Obama’s vacation compound in Hawaii to condemn US wars, occupations, and torture, some holding signs in support of WikiLeaks.
- All of US Troops’ emails will be under surveillance to prevent another WikiLeaks-style disclosure.
- WikiLeaks’ media partner in Pakistan, Dawn, published a summary of WikiLeaks disclosures on the country.
Upcoming WikiLeaks Events
16 January: A recommendation on whether Bradley Manning faces court-martial is expected. Final decision has no date set.
2 February: Julian Assange’s extradition appeal will be heard by the Supreme Court. Hearing will likely last 2 days. A support demonstration is planned outside the Supreme Court, starting at 9AM.
23 May: Julian Assange will speak at the Enterprise Information Management Congress 2012 (May 23, Netherlands).
Action Campaigns
WikiLeaks
394 days of unlawful financial blockade.
- Join wlfriends.org today.
Julian Assange
391 days under house arrest without charge.
- new Show your support for Julian Assange at the Supreme Court of London, February 1st, at 9 AM.
- new Nominate Julian Assange and WikiLeaks for the Nobel Peace Prize 2012 campaign website.
- Contribute to the Julian Assange Defense Fund.
- 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
588 days detained without trial.
- 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.