TED Conversations

peter lindsay

Physics Teacher,

TEDCRED 30+

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Are there any circumstances where its OK for local police to enter another countries Embassy?

Julian Assange again. The latest news is that the UK have threatened to enter the Equadorean embassy to secure Assange. To me this suggests that all the surmising about US involvement might actually be true as I find it very hard to believe that a country would breech diplomatic immunity agreements over a sexual assault. If that is normal why doesn't it happen all the time?

+3
Share:

Closing Statement from peter lindsay

Closing statement. I think the majority of us are greatly concerned about any threat to diplomatic immunity and the ability to seek asylum. As an update as requeated by Debra since the UK gave assurances that they had no intention of invading Equador's embassy the silence in both the Australian and UK press has been defening. We get daily BBC news here and even they haven't mentioned it for over a week. Perhaps they are preparing a large box with confidential stamped all over it to go in the express post to Equador. As long as the box doesn't say "ouch" every time they drop it the story could end here.

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • Jeff Cable

    • 0
    Aug 20 2012: For the record: These links will clarify rape under Swedish law and how Assange may be implicated.

    http://justice4assange.com/Sexual-Offences.html

    http://justice4assange.com/Allegations.html
    • thumb

      Debra Smith 200+

      • 0
      Aug 20 2012: i find it hard to condemn Assange for "paranoia" after having watched that TED talk where he was the one who helped to expose the murder- the willful murder of 2 news employees which had been denied and covered up for months. What more evidence does someone need of the tactics by the 'other side'?

      It should never be "My country right or wrong: unless it is also :"You are my country so I will work to keep you on the right track" Anyone who thinks Assange should put his head into the noose voluntarily is probably still for the Iraq war and your opinon holds little weight with those of us who want evidence and who think killing in excess of 150.000 citizens of another country to redeem 3,000 killed by rogue citizens of a third country is wrong. It may make you uncomfortable but in the whole scheme of things sex without a condom is not equivalent to or deserving of MURDER.

      • Jeff Cable

        • 0
        Aug 20 2012: [DS] It may make you uncomfortable but in the whole scheme of things sex without a condom is not equivalent to or deserving of MURDER.

        [JC] Quite so Debra. On the other hand, sex that is forced upon a woman against her will, while not equating to murder, is an act that is deserving of the opprobrium of society. I am sure that past good deeds are worth recognising but they cannot and do not expunge future bad deeds. We don't do good things in the hope that we can barter our past against future misdeeds.

        Assange has been running his mouth publicly from the Ecuadorian embassy today. It was widely reported in all of the UK media. Strangely, none of the newspapers are impressed with Assange and his railing against the US. They all noted that he had no words for the Swedish government and the sexual misconduct issues they are seeking to resolve.

        Having read much of Assange's vitriol and invective, I conclude that Assange is a deeply unpleasant individual, who clearly believes his own press and you can be sure that he would not be on my Christmas card list.
        • thumb

          Debra Smith 200+

          • 0
          Aug 21 2012: We are dealing with facts, here, I hope. The Assange case never had the overtones of rape which you continue to regurgitate for whatever spurious reasons. It was
          CONSENTUAL sex which went badly mid coitus and NO ONE has ever asserted that it was lovely or that Assange was. Apparently we are discussing 2 one night stands at a conference.
          As to his 'running his mouth' all citizens of this planet who are unconvicted of any crime appear to have that right. Do they NOT?
    • thumb

      Sophia Grace

      • 0
      Aug 20 2012: Jeff:
      I could comment on your link - but it seems you are not here to learn.

      At least I've just had a good laugh with a few friends on your expense - using that link as a source of information is a joke, and I just hope you don't argue for a living.

      • Jeff Cable

        • 0
        Aug 20 2012: Sophia:
        [SG] I could comment on your link - but it seems you are not here to learn.

        At least I've just had a good laugh with a few friends on your expense - using that link as a source of information is a joke, and I just hope you don't argue for a living.

        [JC] I suppose your condescending tenor has a purpose but I must admit, it escapes me.

        I was providing links that detailed several things because of Debra's point.

        [DS] Assange is not charged with our version of sexual assault. In fact, he is not charged nor is he a sex offender.

        [JC] The links provided some clarity concerning the way that Sweden views sexual offences and the allegations against Assange.

        The allegations include a link to the police report: http://rixstep.com/1/20110204,04.shtml

        Which happens to include links to the testimony of...

        Sofia Wilén: http://rixstep.com/1/20110131,00.shtml
        Anna Ardin: http://rixstep.com/1/20110204,02.shtml
        Julian Assange: http://rixstep.com/1/20110130,01.shtml

        Several additional witness statements are also available.
        Source of the information is irrelevant to the facts presented and it is the facts that will assist TEDsters to decide for themselves where the truth is located.

        The guesswork, beliefs and feelings of the observers is not valid.

        • Barry Palmer 50+

          • 0
          Aug 22 2012: I will grant you, that for the purpose of discussion here at TED, the source of these witness statements is not relevant. However, according to everything I have ever read about police procedure, releasing witness statements is strictly forbidden and can jeopardize the investigation. Under Swedish law, could the release of these statements result in dismissal of the charges?

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.