Faith and Religion – Religious Freedom Violation and Intolerance Spark International Controversy amongst multiple Religious Groups within South Korea
- : SCJ Canberra
- : 04/11/2024
South Korean local government cancels international event with 30,000 participants from 78 countries, causing international damage.
On October 29th, an administrative decision by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy, raising concerns about religious freedom and causing substantial financial loss.
The “Religious Leaders Forum and 110,000 Graduation Ceremony,” a joint initiative by two prominent religious organizations, was set to take place in Paju, South Korea. The event, hosted by the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was expected to draw over 30,000 participants from 57 countries, including 1,000 religious leaders representing Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.
However, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a public entity under the Gyeonggi Province, abruptly cancelled the venue rental without prior notice.
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus states: “This last-minute decision has resulted in significant financial damage to the event, as well as all organizers and parties involved.”
Organizers of this event stated that the cancellation commits an unconstitutional act of discrimination against a specific religion, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law.
The hosting organizations, the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, reported that they had received official confirmation on October 23rd and 28th that there was no plan of cancellation. They also report that the unilateral cancellation was an unreasonable administrative action targeting a specific religious group – other events scheduled for the same day were not affected, and that the cancellation was an “administrative decision caused by opposition from a specific religious group,” which “violates the principle of separation of church and state guaranteed by the [South Korean] Constitution.”
The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization cited security concerns related to recent North Korean actions, and the planned activities of a North Korean defector group as reasons for the cancellation. However, it was pointed out that other events, such as civilian bike rides and foreign tourist visits to the DMZ, were still permitted within the same designated area.
The incident has reignited international debate about religious freedom and tolerance in South Korea. The U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report has previously highlighted concerns such as the prosecution of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the government’s refusal to approve mosque construction.
The Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus have expressed frustrations and call upon the South Korean government to respect religious freedom, uphold human rights, and to rectify this decision. They also urge international organizations to monitor this situation and take appropriate action to protect religious freedom.
- Event_Organizers_have_staged_a_protest_in_front_of_the_Gyeonggi_Tourism
- : SCJ CBR
- : Publicity Director
- : scjcbr84@gmail.com
- : 0424663278
- : https://www.shincheonji.org/introduce/church/
Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ position on the abrupt cancellation of the Imjingak Peace Nuri Hall for their 110,000 Graduation
- : SCJ Canberra
- : 01/11/2024
Shincheonji Church of Jesus are in the face of legal pressure, following the sudden cancellation and banning of the use of their venue of choice for their annual graduation ceremony for their theology school, Zion Christian Mission Centre.
Shincheonji allege that Gyeonggi Tourism Organization have committed unconstitutional acts of the sudden blockage of their event, on the premise of religious oppression.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus had rented the Imjingak Peace Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province from October 29 to 31 to hold a Religious Leaders Forum and their 110,000 Graduation Ceremony on the 30th. Tens of thousands of graduates and religious leaders from both Korea and abroad had already entered the country and completed all preparations to participate in the event. Shincheonji had already spent hundreds of billions of won to conduct the event at this scale. However, on the morning of the 29th, it was reported the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization unilaterally cancelled the rental without consultation or notice to the other parties involved.
Frustrations from Shincheonji come from reports that all administrative procedures for the procession of the Religious Leaders Forum and the Graduation Ceremony were of legal nature and in constant cooperation with the Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation – both parties received an approval notice as early as July 22, rental fee from Shincheonji being paid in full on October 2 and on October 16, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization gave final reviews of all the details of the event, undergoing extensive safety inspections. In particular, on the same day, there was news that Gyeonggi Province had designated the entire Paju City as a danger zone, but under the guise to block the distribution of leaflets to North Korea. Furthermore, on October 23 and 28, figures from the tourism organisation confirmed twice that “there are no plans to cancel the venue booking.”
The Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon had ordered the cancellation of the venue, due to the reason of “provoking North Korea.”
Shincheonji and many others allege that large-scale events that had taken place at Imjingak Peace Nuri had never brought forth any unwanted attention from the nation’s direct opposition. Speculations arose that it was due to the targeting of a specific religious group from the local government.
Knowing that this stemmed from such and that it also defies many aspects of the Korean constitution, it has caused much outcry from those both in and outside of Shincheonji.
Shincheonji are looking to take all possible legal means to resolve the issue if the events proceed in a way where the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization fail to take responsibility, or fail to settle the matter civilly.
Street protests from members within Shincheonji are also being considered.
Shincheonji are also asking for an official public apology from their former event partners, and to put a halt to religious discrimination against them and others.
Freedom of religion has been stressed heavily, with Shincheonji officials stating “freedom of religion is not a subject of negotiation” in order for them and their congregation to exercise their faith without discrimination.
- : SCJ CBR
- : Publicity Director
- : scjcbr84@gmail.com
- : 0424663278
PODCAST PROMO: State of Israel Goes Rogue – Attacks UN Peacekeepers – Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning
- : Multimedia Investments Ltd
A View from Afar – In this episode of A View From Afar political scientist Paul Buchanan and host Selwyn Manning analyse how the state of Israel has gone rogue, attacking United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. At this juncture it is clear this is an intentional attack.
Over the past week Israel Defense Force troops have repeatedly attacked UN peacekeepers who were authorised and deployed to the region by the United Nations Security Council.
Also last week; the Government of Israel issued a statement notifying the United Nations Secretary General that he was now banned from Israel and was persona non grata. Within a day of that statement, IDF troops had fired on UN peacekeeping positions in Southern Lebanon.
Since then, the IDF has continued operations that threaten the UN’s presence. And Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now issued a directive to the UN peacekeeping force to withdraw from the area north of its borders in Southern Lebanon.
Also, despite the United States Biden Administration cautioning Israel on its attacks on UN personnel, overnight New Zealand time, the United States has deployed 100 US troops on the ground in Israel to operate missile defence systems.
In this podcast, Paul and Selwyn consider:
- Why Israel has begun to attack United Nations peacekeepers in the region?
- Why has the United States deepened its involvement in Israel’s so-called defence?
- What of Hezbollah, Hamas; are their attacks on Israel a defence or an attacking offensive?
- What of Iran, what is its position and will it engage in a full-scale war with Israel and what are the consequences should it do so?
INTERACTION WHILE LIVE:
Paul and Selwyn encourage their live audience to interact while they are live with questions and comments.
To interact during live recordings of A View from Afar podcasts, go to Youtube.com/c/EveningReport/
Remember to subscribe to the channel.
- : https://www.youtube.com/live/3feU3ZedRlA?si=MLYOIfZFGzHdf3HI
- : https://eveningreport.nz/podcast-download/1090323/podcast-state-of-israel-goes-rogue-attacks-un-peacekeepers.m4a
- : Selwyn Manning
- : Managing Director - Founder
- : selwyn@milnz.nz
- : 6421611958
- : https://milnz.co.nz
- https://www.youtube.com/@EveningReport
Sovtech AU Launches in New Zealand, Working with Cure Kids to Deliver Cybersecurity Solutions with a Social Impact
- : https://www.sovtech.com/
- : 14/10/2024
Auckland, New Zealand — Sovtech, a leading Australian cybersecurity firm, is proud to announce its official launch in New Zealand this October, marking a new chapter in its expansion across the Tasman.
Known for its innovative ‘profit for purpose’ business model, Sovtech combines cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions with a strong social mission, including partnerships with significant causes such as Cure Kids – a leading charity dedicated to improving child health in New Zealand.
As part of the New Zealand launch, Sovtech’s Founder and Director, Neil Templeman, will be visiting Auckland on 15 and 16 October to meet with clients, partners, and government officials. Templeman brings a personal connection to New Zealand, having lived here for seven years. His goal is to establish a local presence, creating new jobs and building a robust team to serve New Zealand businesses.
“Launching in New Zealand has been driven by strong demand from customers and our partners. We see a great opportunity to help businesses here enhance their cybersecurity posture while making a positive social impact and we have recently signed our first contract in NZ with a large enterprise customer,” says Templeman.
Sovtech’s unique approach to cybersecurity sets it apart from other providers. The company offers services such as advanced email security, data protection and third-party risk management, but with a difference – profits are reinvested into causes that matter. In Australia, Sovtech has supported First Nations health and education initiatives, and with its New Zealand expansion, it has chosen to align with Cure Kids, a charity focused on funding medical research to improve the health of children.
Cure Kids is enthusiastic about this collaboration. Brendon Pongia, Head of Engagement, commented, “We are excited to have the support of Sovtech, an organisation with a strong social mission and a shared commitment to improving the health of children in New Zealand.”
By launching in New Zealand, Sovtech aims to create a lasting social impact while providing the country’s businesses with industry-leading cybersecurity solutions. Its goal is to offer both private and public sector organisations the tools they need to improve their cyber resilience, while simultaneously contributing to a broader societal mission.
“We believe technology should be a force for good, creating ripple effects that transcend borders and generations,” adds Templeman. “With our Procurement for Purpose model, New Zealand businesses have a unique opportunity to strengthen their security while driving meaningful change.”
Sovtech’s launch in New Zealand is more than just business – it’s about community, sustainability, and making a difference where it counts.
Media Contact: Neil Templeman
Founder & Director, Sovtech
Neil_templeman@sovtechnz.comT: 00 61 419 172 445
www.sovtechnz.comNeil Templeman will be available for interviews during his visit to New Zealand on 15-16 October. To schedule a meeting or interview, please contact him directly at the number above.
About Sovtech:
Sovtech is a cybersecurity provider offering comprehensive solutions to help businesses safeguard against modern threats. Their profit for purpose model reinvests profits into social causes, aligning technology with positive global change. https://sovtech.com.au/About Cure Kids:
Cure Kids is New Zealand’s largest charitable funder of child health research committed to finding better treatments and preventative strategies for a wide range of serious child health conditions. Cure Kids has invested more than $65 million in New Zealand research since it formed over 50 years ago, which has helped to shape and vastly improve the way children who live with serious diseases and health conditions are diagnosed and treated. Cure Kids is currently funding around $8 million in child health research across 60+ projects. Red Nose Day is their biggest annual fundraising campaign and makes a significant contribution to this work. For more information visit: www.curekids.org.nz- Neil Templeman - Sovtech
- : Neil Templeman
- : Founder & Director, Sovtech
- : Neil_templeman@sovtechnz.com
- : 0061419172445
- : https://www.sovtech.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-templeman003/
PODCAST – When All the World’s Failings End in Gaza
- : Multimedia Investments Ltd
- : 23/10/2023
PODCAST: In this the tenth episode of A View from Afar for 2023 political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan and journalist/analyst Selwyn Manning examine the current Israel-Palestine Atrocities.
As we prepared for this podcast, representatives of Arab states have presented a united front at the United Nations, criticising the UN Security Council of doing nothing to protect civilians from Israeli bombing and missile attacks on Gazan civilians and locations.
Since then, the UN Security Council has considered two resolutions, the latter calling for a pause in hostilities to allow a humanitarian effort to enter Gaza to assist civilians.
The United States vetoed that Security Council resolution.
Al Jazeera has detailed that Israel forces have targeted and bombed civilian facilities include Hospitals, schools, residential areas resulting in the deaths of thousands of people, civilians, – around one-third of the deaths are children.
It remains contested by all sides in this conflict as to who, or what, is responsible for the deadly attack on Gaza Hospital, resulting in the deaths of over 471 people.
Additional to this, Israel has sealed the borders of Gaza while it prevents food, water and medical supplies from reaching civilians – in breach of international law requirements and laws of conflict.
Israel ordered Gazan civilians, who wish to get to safety, to get out of North Gaza and move toward the south, to the border with Egypt. But as people fled south toward what appeared to be safety, Israel bombed the southern Gaza region killing more civilians and sealing off that corridor for others who sought refuge.
As a consequence of the bombing, Egypt responded by sealing the Gaza-Egypt border.
Humanitarian aid now sits on trucks, waiting, on the Egypt side of the border, while United Nations officials implore Israel and Egypt to allow medical supplies, food and water to get through to those who are injured and dying.
The Israel Defence Force strikes followed a surprise-attack on Israeli citizens by soldiers operating under the Hamas banner.
Civilians were slaughtered and others taken hostage, only to be used as bargaining chips and leverage against their enemies.
Even Palestinian advocacy groups like the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa suggested that breaches of international humanitarian Law, crimes against civilians, have been committed by those Hamas-aligned fighters. But they are clear, as others are too, that crimes against humanity, war crimes, have been committed by Israel, without consequence, as we all give witness to its response which is disproportionate, brutal, and disregarding of the thousands of Palestinian lives that have already been taken.
That’s the current situation. It is likely to get much worse.
In this episode, our questions will include:
What are the world’s leaders doing to stop the carnage?
Are the world’s nations being drawn into what will be an ever-expanding war?
Are we witnessing the beginning of a war where on one side authoritarian-led states like Russia, Iran, the wider Arab states, and possibly China stand unified against the United States, Britain, Germany, and other so-called liberal democratic allies representing the old world order?
Is what we are witnessing, what happens when a global rules-based order, multilateralism and institutions like the United Nations no longer have influence to prevent war, or restore peace and stability, or assert principles of international justice and enforce the rights of victims to see recourse to the law?
Why has this slaughter become an opportunity for the US and Russia to square-off against each other at the UN Security Council – a body that was once designed to advocate and achieve peace, but has now become a geopolitically divided entity of stalemate and mediocrity?
Eventually, will humanitarianism prevail? Will the world recognise that all people, the elderly, women, children, people of all ethnicities and religions, that they all bleed and die irrespective of their state of origin, when leaders of all sides, while sitting back in their bunkers, unleash weapons designed to kill as many people as is possible?
In this episode, Paul and Selwyn examine this most grave situation from a geopolitical vantage point. It may appear as dispassionate, and as so even disturbing, but we will take this approach in an attempt to aide an understanding of why this is happening in Gaza and why it is happening now.
INTERACTION WHILE LIVE:
Paul and Selwyn encourage their live audience to interact while they are live with questions and comments.
To interact during the live recording of this podcast, go to: Youtube.com/c/EveningReport/
You can also subscribe to A View from Afar Podcast on:
- Screen-Shot-2022-12-15-at-2.10.40-PM-copy
- : https://www.youtube.com/live/NRuObMSC4ns?si=H_b-OpXpYFLY4-HA
- : https://eveningreport.nz/podcast-download/1084174/podcast-when-all-the-worlds-failings-end-in-gaza.m4a
- : Selwyn Manning
- : Managing Director and Founder
- : selwyn@milnz.co.nz
- : 6421611958
- : https://milnz.co.nz
- https://youtube.com/c/EveningReport/
PODCAST: How and Why Democracy is Backsliding Around the World – Buchanan and Manning
- : Multimedia Investments Ltd
-
A View from Afar – In this the seventh episode of A View from Afar podcast for 2023 political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning examine the strengths and weaknesses of democracy around the world.
In particular Paul and Selwyn consider how and why democracy in many countries around the world is on the slide.
They examine the causes of democratic backsliding and also test why the erosion of high democratic ideas have, in many cases, popular support.
First, Paul gives us a context and defines democratic backsliding.
He identifies the countries that are decisively eroding their own democracies of principles that were once embraced by both power elites and citizenry.
The Questions:
• Why are we seeing more democratic backsliding in recent times?
• Is it just a political phenomenon or does it extend beyond the political sphere?
• Where has democratic backsliding been most evident?
• What do Chile, Guatemala, Israel and Thailand have in common?
INTERACTION WHILE LIVE:
Paul and Selwyn encourage their live audience to interact while they are live with questions and comments. To interact during live recordings of A View from Afar podcasts, go to YouTube Remember to subscribe to the channel and be notified of future episodes.
For the on-demand audience, you can also keep the conversation going by clicking on one of the social media channels below:
- YouTube
- Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
- Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
—
Participants in this podcast can be contacted via email below:
- Dr Paul G. Buchanan: email Paul@36th-Parallel.com
- Selwyn Manning: email Selwyn@milnz.nz
You can follow A View from Afar via our affiliate syndicators including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music and where all good podcasts are found.
RECOGNITION:
The MIL Network’s podcast A View from Afar was Nominated as a Top Defence Security Podcast by Threat.Technology – a London-based cyber security news publication.
Threat.Technology placed A View from Afar at 9th in its 20 Best Defence Security Podcasts of 2021 category.
ENDS
- A View from Afar presenters
- : https://www.youtube.com/c/EveningReport
- : https://eveningreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AVFA_S04_E07_Final.m4a
- : Selwyn Manning
- : Managing Director and Founder
- : selwyn@milnz.nz
- : 6421611958
- : https://eveningreport.nz
- https://www.youtube.com/c/EveningReport | https://facebook.com/selwyn.manning | https://twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning | https://www.linkedin.com/in/selwyn-manning-68514746/
Christmas crunch: 60% of Kiwis stressed about the cost of Christmas
- : Banked NZ
- : 30/11/2022
30 November 2022, New Zealand
Highlights
- Kiwis to spend an average of $623 on gifts this year.
- Women much more stressed about Christmas costs than men.
- Almost two-thirds would pay more for a sustainable gift.
The majority of Kiwis feel stressed about the cost of this year’s Christmas, reveals the latest research from personal finance information website Banked.
A survey of 1,020 New Zealanders found that 60% of Kiwis describe themselves as either a ‘little stressed’ (46%) or ‘very stressed’ (14%) about the expenditure involved with this year’s festivities.
Women are feeling under more pressure than men, with 70% reporting some level of stress, compared with 49% of men.
Banked’s Christmas spending report found that Kiwis will spend an average of $623 on gifts this year. Women said they expect to spend $566 on average, while for men that figure climbs to $712.
“With rocketing inflation and a cost of living crisis to contend with, lots of New Zealanders are really feeling the pinch this Christmas,” says Kevin McHugh, Head of Publishing at Banked.
“Many will be worrying about their personal finances when they should be able to wind down and appreciate some well-earned time off with friends and loved ones.”
Banked’s research also found that sustainability is an important consideration for Kiwis when buying gifts. Almost two-thirds (65%) say they would be willing to pay more for a gift if it was sustainable, such as one that involved zero waste or was made from recyclable materials.
Younger people are even more interested in sustainable gift-giving, with 76% of those aged 18-24 (falling into the Gen Z age group) stating that they would be willing to pay more for a sustainable gift.
Conversely, under half (49%) of those aged 55 and older say they would be willing to pay extra for a gift if it was sustainable.
“Sustainability is a vital issue and it’s pleasing that so many Kiwis are willing to support it, even if it costs them a little extra at the checkout,” says McHugh.
See Banked’s NZ Christmas Spending Report 2022.
Top ways to save this Christmas
Don’t feel obligated to spend beyond your means – “Christmas is an expensive time and many feel pressure to spend money that they don’t have,” says McHugh.
“Don’t feel an obligation to buy gifts you’ll struggle to afford or take part in every costly social event. Put your wallet and your wellbeing first.”
Secret Santa or group gifting – “Arranging a Secret Santa is a great way to cut costs. It can also be lots of fun and lets you focus on getting a great gift for one person.
“Chipping in with others for a group gift is another excellent way to save, plus it makes it possible to purchase an otherwise unaffordable present,” says McHugh.
Set a budget (and stick to it) – “It can be easy to overspend at Christmas. But by setting a budget and keeping track of your spending, you’ll make managing your finances over the festive period much easier,” advises McHugh.
ENDS
About Banked
Banked is a financial information and deals website that has the goal of helping New Zealanders make the best decisions on the products they need.
- : Kevin McHugh
- : Head of Publishing
- : hello@banked.co.nz
- : 642108881973
- : https://banked.co.nz/
Media Giants Call on Biden to Drop Charges Against Assange
- : Aotearoa 4 Assange
- : 29/11/2022
Five of the world’s leading news outlets have sent an open letter to US President Joe Biden asking him to drop the charges against Australian Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
The letter states the charges against him set a ‘dangerous precedent’, relating to receiving and publishing classified material that revealed war crimes, torture, and environmental crimes. Assange is currently in a maximum security prison in London, and hundreds of doctors warn he could ‘die in jail in the coming months’.
The New York Times used a photo of the Human Chain around British Parliament on October 8th, that New Zealander Matt Ó Branáin inspired. Ó Branáin welcomed the statement from the top Media brass saying ‘Joe Biden cannot run from this any longer. It would be a huge mistake to allow this disastrous prosecution to fall under his legacy. Free Speech is integral to the US identity and international respect.’
Ó Branáin renewed calls for Jacinda Ardern to intervene diplomatically with Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak, saying ‘the case imperils not only Global Press Freedom, but New Zealand journalists working or travelling abroad, the integrity and safety of our troops, and the broader New Zealand public’s right to know. Staying silent on this is complicity, and will not age well, especially if he dies in prison. The public awareness of the significance of this case is growing every day.’
The letter signed by five major media outlets states:
‘This indictment sets a dangerous precedent . . . Holding governments accountable is part of the core mission of a free press in a democracy. Obtaining and disclosing sensitive information when necessary in the public interest is a core part of the daily work of journalists. If that work is criminalised, our public discourse and our democracies are made significantly weaker. . . It is time for the U.S. government to end its prosecution of Julian Assange for publishing secrets.’
Publishing is not a crime.
The editors and publishers of:
The New York Times
The Guardian
Le Monde
DER SPIEGEL
El Pais’- matt-chain
- : Matt Ó Branáin
- : National Co-ordinator of Aotearoa 4 Assange
- : matt.o.branain@A4A.nz
- : 4915231631792
- : https://www.a4a.nz/
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/a4assange | https://twitter.com/A4Assange | https://www.instagram.com/aotearoa4assange/ | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Lgvm4ob5_kUS6NIaEXwvg
Kiwi Inspires Global Free Assange Human Chain Events
- : Aotearoa 4 Assange
- : 3/10/22
Auckland activist Matt Ó Branáin has inspired a worldwide movement of Human Chains on October 8th to free jailed Australian journalist Julian Assange.
Ó Branáin proposed the idea of a Human Chain to #HugBelmarsh prison, which gained international support, and was retweeted by Julian’s wife Stella Assange. Due to some difficulties surrounding the prison, it has turned into a #FreeAssangeHumanChain of 5,000 surrounding British Parliament.
Now 16 cities around the world will hold Free Assange Human Chains, including Washington DC, Ottowa, Wellington and Paris all on October 8th.Ó Branáin says ‘I feel simultaneously humbled and in awe of what a difference any of us can make, when we inspire others to unite. There’s nothing we can’t do when we stand together.’
Julian Assange is currently in solitary confinement in a UK Supermax Prison, despite not serving a sentence. Top forensic psychologists, a UN expert, and hundreds of doctors say Julian Assange is being ‘tortured’ and is likely to die in the next few months if he is not freed.
‘This is the most crucial Human Rights battle of this Century, because the Right to Know is the master key to protecting all our rights. Every credible authority from the UN to Amnesty International is saying Julian’s imprisonment, and the US charges against him undermine Global Press Freedom. If it’s a crime to tell the truth we can’t solve anything. ‘
Ó Branáin has launched a campaign asking kiwis to help him go and represent Aotearoa at the Chain in London. He will write the names of all who support him on raranga flax ribbons he will take to the event.
‘I know from talking to kiwis everywhere, nobody wants an Aussie journalist to die in prison for telling the truth. We gotta get him out. I’m asking kiwis to get behind me so I can represent them.’Matt is a teacher, media-designer and musician, who became intensely engaged on the Assange case when he read the findings of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer. For two years Matt has devoted the majority of his time to campaigning on this. He formed Aotearoa 4 Assange, and he recently committed to wearing what he calls ‘Gitmo Chic’ every day till Julian is free. An orange Guantanamo Bay style prisoner suit, and sign. ‘It’s been starting conversations everywhere I go. Kiwis are not at all happy when they hear an Aussie journalist is being tortured to death for telling the truth.’
‘Our Government, and Jacinda Ardern, need to urgently engage in diplomatic representations with our allies the UK and US, to ensure Julian’s release. All our rights are imperilled by his imprisonment, and by the US charges against him. There isn’t a bigger threat to the Western Democratic system than this case.’
‘Jacinda Ardern, has criticised misinformation at the UN, but where does she stand on truthful reporting?’
- #FreeAssangeHumanChain around UK
Parliament, London, 1pm October 8th, 1pm - #FreeAssangeHumanChain at the Beehive, Wellington, 12pm October 8th.
- #FreeAssangeHumanChain around UK
- Matt chain
- : https://youtu.be/33TOSTEXzlc
- : Matt Ó Branáin
- : National Co-ordinator of Aotearoa 4 Assange
- : matt.o.branain@a4a.nz
- : 64204382863
- : https://www.a4a.nz/
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/a4assange | https://www.instagram.com/aotearoa4assange/ | https://twitter.com/A4Assange | https://www.instagram.com/matt.o.branain/ | https://twitter.com/MattOBranain
A Dark day for Global Press Freedom – Patel Signs Assange’s Extradition
- : Aotearoa 4 Assange
- : 18/06/2022
Today was a dark day for global press freedom. The UK Home secretary Priti Patel has signed the extradition to send Australian journalist Julian Assange to the US, the same country who reportedly plotted to assassinate him, and has charged him for publishing leaked evidence of their war crimes.
The Guardian’s Editorial says the decision ‘ought to worry anyone who cares about journalism and democracy’.
Every major Human Rights group has called for Assange’s release. The International Federation of Journalists, representing over 600,000 journalists tweeted: “The UK decision to allow the extradition of Assange is vindictive and a real blow to media freedom. He has simply exposed issues that were in the public interest and Patel’s failure to acknowledge this is shameful and sets a terrible precedent.”
A4A states the New Zealand Government can no longer remain silent on this case. A4A’s Matt Ó Branáin asked: “What will our government’s position be when it’s a New Zealand investigative journalist being imprisoned or extradited? What will this total lack of accountability mean the next time the US asks us to send our troops to die in another war?.”
The Guardian warns this ‘potentially opens the door for journalists anywhere in the world to be extradited to the US for exposing information deemed classified by Washington. We cannot allow a legal precedent to be set that the US can throw anyone, anywhere in jail for revealing state crimes.
Aotearoa 4 Assange’s Matt Ó Branáin said: “We reiterate our call for PM Jacinda Ardern to stand with Australian PM Albanese’s calls for our allies the UK and US to bring an end to this, and bring Assange home.”
- : Matt Ó Branáin
- : Aotearoa 4 Assange Spokesperson
- : matt.o.branain@a4a.nz
- : 64204382863
- : https://www.a4a.nz