Gareth Peirce on the torture of Bradley Manning

Posted on August 31, 2012 by admin

View Video here.

Gareth Peirce, the renowned UK lawyer who represents Julian Assange, gives her views via the video above on the torture of Bradley Manning,
the US soldier accused of leaking war crimes, as well as the use if torture in the US prison system generally. The video was made during the time Bradley was tortured, but is relevant given there is currently another pre-trial hearing underway. It is a quietly spoken, powerful speech that is worth listening to in full.

Bradley Manning was mentally and physically tortured (as attested by Juan Mendez, the UN Rapporteur on Torture) in the precise way he was by the officers of Quantico for two reasons. The prime reason was so that he would implicate Julian Assange, the editor-in-chief of Wikileaks. The secondary reason was to tip him over the edge, to send him insane, so providing an excuse to terminate proceedings (and cover up secrets) and then lock him away in an asylum for the rest of his life. The fact that Manning did not implicate anyone, nor did he go mad, is a testimony to his inner-strength and courage and sheer heroism that shines in contrast to the thuggery, brutality and cowardice of those who watched over him. No doubt Manning took heart from the huge support, globally, he received, as well as the magnificent legal support, led by David Coombs. Though the torture probably only stopped and Manning moved out of Quantico because news of what was happening to him was spread widely.

Manning’s legal team have now been informed that the court martial will take place in February. However, should the authorities be forced to dismiss all charges raised against him because of the torture that occurred, they are more likely to do so before the Nobel Peace Prize* awardee is announced (December) as it would be too embarrassing for the US Govt if Manning was still in custody at that point and he was given the award. Coincidentally, December is also the month for the scheduled hearing that will consider if the charges are to be dropped.

On this matter of timing, the other factor here is what happens with Julian Assange. Should Assange avoid extradition to the USA by one means or other, this will directly impact upon what happens to Manning in that the US authorities will be more confident in getting a conviction against Private Manning if they also have Assange in custody. Thus, the fates of both men are inextricably linked.

For an excellent article on Manning (and Julian Assange) by Jeremy Hardy (British political satirist and BBC 4 panelist), click here.

Note: in an earlier posting we published a photo we believed was Bradley Manning during his time when tortured at Quantico. The photo was of Bradley Manning, but not PFC Bradley Manning. In the world of fast news on the internet mistakes can be made. The important thing, of course, is that a mistake is acknowledged once known. We have amended the original article. The rest of the article stands. Please give all the support you can to PFC Bradley Manning in the lead up to his next hearing. Thank you.

* The Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee presents the Nobel Peace Prize in the presence of the King of Norway on 10 December each year. The Peace Prize is the only Nobel Prize not presented in Stockholm (Sweden). The Nobel laureate receives a diploma, a medal and a document confirming the prize amount. As of 2009, the prize was worth about US$1.4 million. Since 1990, the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony is held at Oslo City Hall.

Thanks to Dark Net
http://darkernet.in/gareth-peirce-on-the-torture-of-bradley-manning/