Social media slams UK, Sweden for Assange ruling rebuke
Social media users have blasted UK and Swedish authorities for dismissing a UN panel’s findings that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been "arbitrarily detained" in the Ecuadorian embassy.
Since the UN’s ruling early Friday, #assange has been trending on Twitter around the world.
#Assange w/ top tweets @twitter heatmap - In depth @rt_com coverage here https://t.co/yN8hiyR31Apic.twitter.com/7oOED1xesG
— IvorCrotty (@IvorCrotty) February 5, 2016
The decision by the UK and Sweden has been widely criticized with whistleblower Edward Snowden leading the way, branding it as a "dangerous precedent" for other countries.
This writes a pass for every dictatorship to reject UN rulings. Dangerous precedent for UK/Sweden to set. #Assangehttps://t.co/3XZxFrfEBI
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) February 5, 2016
This was echoed by others who believe it’s a bad reflection on the two governments.
Hasn't #Sweden sullied itself enough already? Its treaty obligations w/ @UN supersede its politics.
— Thomas Drake (@Thomas_Drake1) February 4, 2016
.@JesselynRadack on @RT_com#Assange
The UK is not a free country, it has a very dangerous set of people in charge, who are basically dictators. Disgusting treatment.#Assange
— ProjectChaos (@projectchaosuk) February 5, 2016
This is such an outrage. Mr. Assange is being hounded unmercifully by the "powers that be" because of his lawful...
Posted by Jack Haesly on Thursday, 4 February 2016
Media coverage of Wikileaks and Assange also came under serious scrutiny, particularly the suggested bias of the ‘mainstream media’.
I gotta say about The Guardian though, kudos for maintaining the hate against Assange over 5 years and 2 editors. Takes real sticktoitness.
— Bernard Keane (@BernardKeane) February 5, 2016
My latest: Despite the UN ruling Assange is arbitrarily detained, the media are not about to give him a fair hearing https://t.co/z53OwdXF0X
— Jonathan Cook (@Jonathan_K_Cook) February 5, 2016
The US government didn’t escape either with further questions raised over Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Hillary Clinton's server nightmare holds her more responsible for more national security breaches than ALL of #Assange leaks. WakeUp US
— AwakeningsFromWithin (@NexusIndigo) February 5, 2016
It was noted by some that the embassy may prefer if Assange stayed, if only to avoid the added expense of Britain’s "bedroom tax".
Ultimately I suspect Ecuador would rather Assange stays so they can avoid paying the bedroom tax.
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) February 5, 2016
READ MORE: RT counts the financial & health costs of Assange’s ‘arbitrary detention’
WATCH: RT time-lapse video of Julian Assange since he was locked inside Ecuadorian embassy
Timelapse of Julian Assange
Posted by RT Play on Thursday, February 4, 2016
Some social media users have also zoned in the wording of the report, in particular its use of the phrase "arbitrarily detained," which left many bemused.
#ArbitrarilyDetainedpic.twitter.com/rXJWR7CJQZ
— Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) February 5, 2016
I have to stay in today waiting for a ParcelForce delivery. I hope the UN is taking note. #arbitrarilydetained
— Legal Bizzle (@LegalBizzle) February 5, 2016
Remember: Julian #Assange isn’t the only one stuck in #arbitrarydetentionhttps://t.co/gfIeAamR0Bpic.twitter.com/at9GkuP11t
— Daniel Zuidijk (@dzuidijk) February 5, 2016
Where's Buddy's compensation? #arbitrarilydetainedpic.twitter.com/f1DfIv9inC
— HappyToast ★ (@IamHappyToast) February 5, 2016
The phrase could also be used as an excuse to get out of some weekend chores.
Husbands all over Britain can tell their wives they've been #ArbitrarilyDetained at the pub tonight.#Assange
— Chris Allies (@Callies895) February 5, 2016
Even the classic childhood game hide and seek isn't immune.
Found Astrid under the table; she was playing arbitrary detention and seek with her sister #Assange
— Mitch Benn (@MitchBenn) February 5, 2016
Some social media users joked they had already spotted Assange out and about around London.
Think I just saw Julian Assange on a Boris bike
— James Cook (@JamesLiamCook) February 5, 2016
Hey guys, guys - fairly sure I've just seen Assange going into a vape shop on Easter Road. Tie-dye coat, long hair - that's him, right?
— Ashley Davies (@MsAshleyDavies) February 5, 2016
Keen observers of Assange’s press conference also noted the subtle hint towards his website.
I think Julian Assange is trying to promote a website... #justahunchpic.twitter.com/DtPmEFVsyg
— Sunny Hundal (@sunny_hundal) February 5, 2016
OP-EDGE: UN panel decision on Assange – ‘sharp rebuke to British & Swedish govts’
