The term,"United States of Australia"(Australia is termed as "Ausfailia"), a satirical version on Australia originated from the authors Encyclopedia Dramatica intended to provide a lighter view to its audience.
Recent events however are true to this term, but it is no laughing matter. Right now, a somber crowd in London are holding a vigil in hope that Julian Assanges detainment does not lead to extradition. No new reports on how Wikileaks founder is fairing in Wandsworth prison apart from the day after his arrest. The same reports have recycled with inconsistencies on whether or not Julian has access to the internet. What is consistent, is that he is in solitary confinement, that the United States government are mounting a case against him and there is a widely held consensus amongst legal experts that Sweden will deliver Mr Assange to the US.
Only when there was outrage, did the Australian government change their position on Julian Assange, stating that the United States government should tighten their security. The sad fact is that this in Australia is a generous extension compared to previous government stances when expat Australians needed intervention.
Australia on their record of Human Rights has had the "Stolen generation", the "Forgotten generation" and now the "sold out" generation. The sold out generation are the ones whom the governments have abandoned because of trading alliances and loyalties above the priority of its own. Here are a few cases of the sold out generation:
Schapelle Corby
Whilst Australia does not benefit financially from its alliance with Indonesia, the government considers its relationship "strategically important" as 60% of its exports pass through Indonesian waters.
Shappelle Corby was charged by Indonesian authorities for transporting 4kg of marijuana to Indonesia. She is currently confined in an Indonesian prison for 20 years. The case was reportedly riddled with corruption and despite evidence proving that she was Innocent, the Australian government prioritized its loyalties to Indonesia above its own. Although Shapelle Corboys case has never been tried in Australia, her book was censored under legislation that prevents. "Proceeds of Crime".
You can help Shapelle Corby here.
David Hicks
On the verge of signing the 2004 Australia-United States Free trade agreement, David Hicks was formally charged with conspiracy to commit murder, attack civilians and civilian objects and terrorism,attempted murder, and aiding the enemy by United States military commission. Amnesty International noted that the military commission did not meet the international standards for fair trials. The Australian Government was aware of David Hicks case from the moment he was delivered to United States. In fact it was Australian Officials that David hicks was originally interrogated by. During his detainment at Guantanamo, David Hicks described being repeatedly beaten, restrained, blindfolded, enforced to taken unknown medication, sleep deprived and constrained to a small cell for a year without sunlight and exercise. David Hicks father had requested that the Australian government intervene and bring David Hicks to complete the remaining sentence in Australia. There were many public pleas, but it was not until 2007 that David Hicks arrived in Australia, five years after enduring Guantanamo. Australian Officials were well aware of the torture on Guantanamo making little effort to release David in contrast to Swedish and British authorities on detainee release.
Kerry and Kay Danes
Just as Australia had set its sights upon building stronger economic ties to ASEAN, Kerry and Kay Danes were imprisoned by Laos authorities for allegedly stealing from a gem mine. Kerry and Kay operated a security company in Laos when they noted in their account that when the company was doing particularly well, that was when all the trouble began. The following article, that I note was deleted from ABC website, revealed that Laos officials had stated that they were willing to let Kerry and Kay Danes go if another couple was willing to stand in their place.
The foreigner Prison Support Service makes an interesting point when they place webster's definition at the top of their report.
During their confinement, they were placed in a 3x3 metre cell with 11 other inmates where they endured torture and harsh conditions. According to the Foreign Prison Support Service report, Kerry was detained in the presence of the Australian Embassy. It took 11 months for the couple to be released by Australian authorities.
And there are more
There are many more cases appearing from the outset that these people have committed heinous crimes, but instead become victims of corruption and global politics. Where the Australian government has finally intervened is often at a later stage when the damage is already done or when enough people know that these people are innocent of the crimes that justified torture. What has become clear in these three cases is that there was a delay because there are financial ties with each country.
We know from these historical jailings of Australians that the government will prioritize their ties with other countries above people and we are learning more about that through the cablegate leaks. Most of the world agrees that the charges against Julian Assange is not legal or even valid. People from across the political spectrum have spoken out against it.
We also know that the United States government has been very vocal about seizing the opportunity to have Julian extradited whilst he is detained to face charges from laws that they are updating to ensure that Julian Assanges actions are deemed "illegal". Julian Assange and his organisation are doing what journalists across the globe do everyday and that is providing the information to the public. The only difference is that the organisation is shaped in a way that protects its sources from retaliation.
If United States do successfully charge Julian Assange under an updated version of the Espionage Act, then it will become a landmark case that will kill the media around the world. It is why it is vital that this does not occur. Tools such as writing recording and publishing is a vital resource for accountability that protects us and provides some constraints on what would be enacted freely in silence. It is why it is so important to support Wikileaks and its members, by participating in protests, signing petitions, writing letters to government and donating to Wikileaks.
