Failure to extradite Assange to Sweden would endorse 'rape culture', say women's groups

[brooklynite]

The Guardian

Women’s groups have added to pressure on Sajid Javid to ensure Julian Assange is extradited to Sweden. Failure to do so would effectively endorse “rape culture”, they claim.

A coalition of campaigners representing survivors of sexual violence urged the home secretary to focus on the unresolved rape allegations emanating from Sweden against Assange. They fear that US charges – relating to WikiLeaks’ disclosures – may be given priority in the UK.

The United States has filed a provisional extradition request for Assange while Sweden continues to weigh up whether to reopen an investigation into rape and sexual assault allegations against the 47-year-old co-founder of WikiLeaks. On occasions, when there are competing extradition requests, the home secretary decides which country should take priority.

Sarah Green, co-director of End Violence Against Women, an alliance of more than 80 organisations, said Assange’s portrayal by some as a victim was an affront to rape survivors.

[mr_lebowski]

1. Oh, Goodie ... I cant wait to see where THIS goes on our board ... I'm sure it ends well ...

GRU/RNC ... are you watching?

(nothing meant towards you Brooklyn, I know it's just a story you're posting ... I just can't help but feel it's not going to be a good scene, not after 2 weeks of Biden)

[RandySF]

2. There's a world of difference between what Assange and Biden are accused of.

Anyone who equates the two is an idiot.

[mr_lebowski]

4. How divided DU could become over this 'debate' as a result ... is definitely equatable, Randy ...

That is my point.

Not that the ACTIONS are the same.

I just really don't want to see another 2 weeks of MvF battles on DU.

[Igel]

3. It'll be the usual.

It was years ago when the Assange allegations were current.

Those who supported Assange insisted that the allegations had to be wrong.

Others insisted that the allegations against him had to be true, and to doubt the accuser was to be anti-woman.

Others just said, "Look, they're allegations; check them out. Perhaps there's evidence and corroboration and it's prosecutable. Perhaps there's not, in which case either what we have is a failure to achieve consensus as to how to understand what did happen or perhaps there's an injustice and sexual assault won't be punished." In any event, what's true is that Swedish law would be what's important, not US law.

I mean, you listen to reporters talking about his reporter status and whether the US indictment is appropriate, and you can hear the internal tension on some. "He did something bad, he helped the Russians, but he hurt Bush II and helped Manning. Which side do I think is more important so I can decide what I think must be legal?"

For the record: I don't think he's a journalist, I think the first three letters of his name are an astute truncation of his name and even if I didn't I'm rule-bound enough to think that that allegation, too, should be investigated and prosecuted if there's a chance; I think that the sexual assault allegations have priority and should be investigated first.

[in2herbs]

5. If I understood Rachel the other night her guest (former federal prosecutor) said that if/when

Assange is extradited to the US no further charges can be added other than what exists at the time of his extradition. So my question is: why not let him go to Sweden to stand trial for rape while the feds get their ducks in a row about what charges to bring against him. We don't want Assange here too soon or else dRumpf can pardon him. Wait till dRumpf is out of office and Assange will not get a pardon. Besides, who knows exactly how much incriminating info against Assange and others is in the Mueller report. Let the Swede's have him until we have reviewed the unredacted report and dRumpf is out of office.