Victims Lost in the Discussion

Today the government of Ecuador granted asylum to Julian Assange. Apparently the reason for this decision was a concern regarding, not the allegations of rape and sexual misconduct in Sweden, but a fear claimed by Assange that he would be extradited from Sweden to the United States. As I reviewed the press coverage I could not help but notice that conspicuously absent from the discussion were the alleged victims of the sexual misconduct and rape. Ecuador claimed its decision was based on its "respect for human rights." Yet, where was the consideration of the rights of the alleged victims?

It was not only Ecuador who was silent on the rights of the alleged victims, but the media as well. As far as I could tell from the press coverage and a rough translation of Ecuador's press release on the matter, there was little to no mention of the alleged victims. Therefore, the central issue for which Assange was to be extradited was not discussed.

I am not an international lawyer and I do not claim to know the correct outcome for any of the several issues the Assange criminal case raises. I do note, however, that his seeking of asylum follows a complete and exhausted litigation in the British courts of his claims regarding the invalidity of the allegations against him. His arguments were repeatedly denied. It does seem to me that the alleged victims' dignity, right to be free from sexual violence and discrimination, and right to have their allegations investigated and litigated should at least be considered. Yet it seems that without even a mention, the claims of alleged victims have been lost in this international discussion. I thought we were past that.