Hello new followers! Can I introduce you to some of @RSF_inter’s other priority cases? They all deserve much more attention and support! Thread.
#DaphneCaruanaGalizia was a courageous Maltese journalist assassinated by a car bomb near her home in October 2017. More than three years on, there’s still been no justice for Daphne or the extensive corruption she had uncovered. Some background here: rsf.org/en/news/malta-…
Christopher Allen was a 26 year-old freelance journalist, and dual US/UK national, who was killed covering the civil conflict in South Sudan in August 2017. More than three years on, there’s still been no investigation and no justice. rsf.org/en/news/online…
Read this powerful recent Washington Post op-ed by Chris’ parents Joyce Krajian and John Allen, and follow his cousin @jeremybliss, who is very active in the campaign for #JusticeforChris.
The amazing @mariaressa is the founder and CEO of @rapplerdotcom and is facing unbelievable pressure - and a possible lifetime in prison - in the Philippines.
34 journalists remain unjustly jailed in Saudi Arabia, and we campaign for their immediate release. We also campaign for justice for Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2008. rsf.org/en/news/murder…
.@RSF_inter’s own correspondent in Algeria, journalist Khaled Drareni, is serving a three-year prison sentence on ludicrous charges. Support the international #WeAreKhaled solidarity committee! rsf.org/en/news/khaled…
These are just a few of our campaigns - but we fight for press freedom everywhere it is under attack. Check out our website for a look at the alarming global situation for safety of journalists and press freedom.
Good morning. I’ll have updates on Julian Assange’s bail hearing on this thread today. The hearing takes place at 10 am GMT at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. @RSF_inter calls again for Assange’s immediate release.
I’m on my way to court. Escaped the hellish queue for the public gallery today only because Assange’s family have been kind enough to put me on their list - so unless the court pulls something funny, I should get in without problems today. 2/
The thought of walking into court at a reasonable time and taking a seat like a normal person today seems like a luxury. We’ve been treated so terribly in monitoring hearings in this case since last February. Again, this is not how we’re accustomed to doing our jobs, anywhere. 3/
Good morning from the Old Bailey! Today’s the big day, as we await the extradition decision in the case against @wikileaks publisher Julian Assange. I’ll have updates on this thread.
5 hours to go until the 10am hearing. We’re already queuing outside in early morning winter temperatures to have a fighting chance of gaining access to the public gallery. This is how we’re left to try to do our jobs as the judge refuses to recognise the role of NGO observers. 2/
My makeshift office during this long, cold morning.
Actual conversation just now: how long does it take to get hypothermia?
I’ve often said that nothing is normal about Julian Assange’s case. Here’s my list of the top 10 least normal aspects, strictly on the logistical side of monitoring the extradition proceedings (this is not to mention the many substantive issues that are also far from normal).
1. The judge’s stubbornly persistent refusal to acknowledge that NGO observers are professionals and have an important role to play (separate to that of the general public) in ensuring open justice, and refusal to grant us access to be able to do our jobs properly.
2. The constantly shifting goal posts in gaining access to the public gallery, and arbitrary restrictions on numbers in all 3 courts where proceedings have been held. On any given day, it’s impossible to predict how many will be let in and when, necessitating very early queuing.
Okay, I’m not done yet (still furious). The barriers we’ve faced monitoring proceedings in Assange’s case are extensive and evolving, and cannot be purely coincidence or incompetence, as it’s been at 3 separate courts and happened pre-Covid too. The common factor is the judge.
It is the judge who refuses to recognise NGO observers as different to the public & who revoked NGOs’ remote access. When we face barriers on entry, court officials say the judge set the (arbitrary) limitations on numbers. She even set the freezing temperature at the Old Bailey.
I won’t speculate yet on the outcome of the extradition proceedings, as I sincerely hope that justice will prevail and that the system isn’t as broken as I fear. But one has to question what is the motive in making even a 90-second hearing so unbelievably difficult to observe.
Back at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning attempting to monitor a call over hearing in the case of @wikileaks publisher Julian Assange. This is the last such hearing scheduled before the extradition decision will be given on 4 January.
Thread. 1/
The goal posts for access constantly shift at this court, in a completely arbitrary manner. We are currently being told by a court official that no journalists will be allowed in (told they can access the Cloud Video Platform) and only two people can access the public gallery. 2/
At times, even under Covid measures, four journalists have been allowed into the well of this same courtroom, and five people into the public gallery. Two in total today is completely arbitrary. We’re told the access restrictions are the judge’s decision. 3/
“When it comes to justice for Daphne, so far there is none”: @PieterOmtzigt’s strong words as he concludes his mandate as PACE Special Rapporteur on ensuring justice for #DaphneCaruanaGalizia’s assassination and strengthening the rule of law in Malta. Watch the whole thing.
@PieterOmtzigt: “From the Assembly’s point of view, implementation is unsatisfactory. The rule of law situation in Malta remains deficient, especially when it comes to fighting corruption”.
“The alleged mastermind...may be released from pre-trial detention before he can even be indicted”. An extremely important point being overlooked by international media who reported widely on Yorgen Fenech’s arrest last year. There’s a very real risk he could avoid prosecution.