The founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has received an Aboriginal Nations passport during a ceremony held in inner-city Sydney after feeling “abandoned” by Australian officials.
At a celebration in Darlington, his father, John Shipton, accepted the document.
He stated that his son had been forsaken by the Australian government, and the passport ceremony—which follows Ecuador’s granting of diplomatic asylum to Mr. Assange—was a demonstration of support.
“Every Australian government, regardless of party, is willing to abandon their citizens when they encounter challenging situations abroad,” he remarked.
Since June, Mr. Assange has been residing at the Ecuadorian embassy in London to evade extradition to Sweden, where authorities wish to question him regarding allegations of sexual assault.
His legal team fears that extradition to Sweden might lead to him being sent to the United States, where he could face charges related to his website’s dissemination of confidential information.
The Indigenous Social Justice Association, which organized Saturday’s event, is advocating for the acknowledgment of Aboriginal sovereignty.
Mr. Shipton mentioned that his son had requested a revision of the document’s wording, but he fully supports the cause.
“Julian has consistently voiced the wish that the Aboriginal peoples of Australia receive recognition as sovereign entities,” he stated.
“This viewpoint is gaining wider acceptance.”
Ray Jackson, president of the Indigenous Social Justice Association, noted that over 200 individuals attended what may become an annual event.
He criticized the Australian government for not providing sufficient support to Mr. Assange.
“Julian has been poorly treated by this government, which seems quite willing to comply with the US,” Mr. Jackson asserted.
The passport will be forwarded to Mr. Assange in London.
Last month, Foreign Minister Bob Carr informed the Labor caucus that Australia had intervened on Mr. Assange’s behalf more than 60 times throughout his legal battles with Sweden.
by Vandas Voice
