Julian Assange: Ecuador grants him asylum

[johncar54]

There seems to be a relatively simple way to deal with this.

Get Sweden to give a legally binding undertaking that they will not extradite him to USA or any other country if UK extradite him to Sweden to stand trail. And if he is acquitted on the sex charges that he will be free to go where he wants.

As for the UK suspending Ecuador’s diplomatic status, so they can enter the embassy and arrest him, I believe that would establish a very dangerous precedent for countries worldwide to do the same and ignore diplomatic rights. Just image how the USA would have reacted had the Chinese done that when in May the blind activist was in their embassy in China.

[Dedworth]

As for the UK suspending Ecuador’s diplomatic status, so they can enter the embassy and arrest him, I believe that would establish a very dangerous precedent for countries worldwide to do the same and ignore diplomatic rights. Just image how the USA would have reacted had the Chinese done that when in May the blind activist was in their embassy in China.

You are probably right, a trade ban might might be effective, the ruling classes in Quito wouldn't like to do without their crates of Scotch

[johncar54]

Dedworth, I seem, to have failed to make myself clear to you.

I was not criticising Ecuador but Sweden's real intentions.

[Dedworth]

Dedworth, I seem, to have failed to make myself clear to you.

I was not criticising Ecuador but Sweden's real intentions.

I read that bit but our extradition arrangements are with Sweden that is where any consideration must stop, it's not up to us to worry if they might send him to Planet Zog. If the Ecudarorians had their wits about them he'd have been airfreighted to South America months ago in a diplomatic crate

[CBM]

There seems to be a relatively simple way to deal with this.

Get Sweden to give a legally binding undertaking that they will not extradite him to USA or any other country if UK extradite him to Sweden to stand trail. And if he is acquitted on the sex charges that he will be free to go where he wants.

As for the UK suspending Ecuador’s diplomatic status, so they can enter the embassy and arrest him, I believe that would establish a very dangerous precedent for countries worldwide to do the same and ignore diplomatic rights. Just image how the USA would have reacted had the Chinese done that when in May the blind activist was in their embassy in China.

Agree entirely.

[johncar54]

It just occurred to me that they could get safe passage to an airport for Assange by appointing him as a member of the diplomatic staff of the embassy.

All such staff have absolute immunity from prosecution by a foreign government.

[Dedworth]

It just occurred to me that they could get safe passage to an airport for Assange by appointing him as a member of the diplomatic staff of the embassy.

All such staff have absolute immunity from prosecution by a foreign government.

If it were that simple all sorts of dodgy countries would be trying it on. From the Daily Handwringer :-

Q Is there any way the Ecuadoreans can spirit him out of Britain and ensure he reaches the safety of Quito, their capital?

A: If Assange steps out of the embassy, he is liable to be arrested. Were he to be given a diplomatic passport, that would not alter the situation: immunity from arrest is only conferred on diplomats accredited to the Court of St James's by the Foreign Office.

Any attempt by the Ecuadoreans to have him accredited would be rebuffed by UK authorities. Were Assange to accept an Ecuadorean diplomatic passport, some suggest, he would become an Ecuadorean national – and therefore be unable to seek asylum in what would now be his own country's embassy. Diplomacy is a cunning profession – dangerously double-edged.