UNASUR In Solidarity With Ecuador Against British Threats

A gathering of South American states expressed solidarity with Ecuador over its decision to grant asylum to Julian Assange. The British government has placed the Ecuador embassy under siege., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Havana. August 23, 2012

UNASUR in solidarity with Ecuador and against British threats

GUAYAQUIL.—Foreign Ministers of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), affirmed their support for the sovereign government of Rafael Correa, in relation to the country’s decision to grant diplomatic asylum to Julian Assange, and condemned the UK government threat to the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Alí Rodríguez Araque, secretary general of the regional bloc, read the seven-point declaration.

UNASUR:

1. Manifests its solidarity with and backing for the government of the Republic of Ecuador in the face of the threat to violate its diplomatic mission.

2. Reiterates the sovereign right of states to grant asylum.

3. Strongly condemns the threat of the use of force among states, and reiterates the full force of the principles enshrined in international law, respect for sovereignty and faithful compliance with international treaties.

4. Reaffirms the fundamental principle of inviolability in relation to the premises of diplomatic missions and consular offices and the obligation of receptor states to abide by what is established in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

5. Reaffirms the principle of international law in virtue of which internal legislation cannot be invoked in order not to comply with an obligation of an international nature, as established in Article 27 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

6. Reiterates the validity of institutions of asylum and refuge to protect the human rights of persons who consider that their lives or physical integrity are endangered.

7. Calls on the parties to continue dialogue and direct negotiations directed at finding a mutually acceptable solution in accordance with international law.

Also in Guayaquil, the 9th Political Council of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) expressed solidarity with Ecuador in a meeting which reaffirmed the inviolability of any diplomatic mission in the world, as well as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations and international law.

ALBA foreign ministers and delegates resolved to support the Ecuadorian government in the wake of the United Kingdom’s intimidations, and warned London of the consequences that an aggression of this kind would provoke, as stated in the meeting’s unanimously approved final declaration. (Telesur)