Free Vanunu request by Irish Nobel Laureate to Obama and Perez

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Tuesday May 25, 2010 20:09 by Mairead Maguire - Peace People

new sentence of whistleblower deplored

Irish Peace Nobelist Mairead Maguire Calls on Peace Nobelists President Obama and President Shimon Perez to do all they can to Free Mordechai Vanunu

PRESS RELEASE

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Mairead Maguire, has written to President Barack Obama, USA and President Shimon Perez, Israel, asking them to ‘do all they can’ to obtain the release of Mordechai Vanunu from Eshel Prison, Israel, and also for Vanunu to be given his freedom and allowed to leave Israel.

Mordechai Vanunu, the Israeli Nuclear Whistleblower, was convicted by an Israeli Court in l986 and sentenced to 18 years for passing on information about Israel’s nuclear weapons. He served 1l of his 18 years in solitary confinement. Vanunu was released from Prison in 2004 but instead of being allowed to leave Israel, as was his wish and legal right, he was placed under strict restrictions depriving him of many of his civil and fundamental rights, including the right to move freely, and the right to have contacts with foreigners. For exercising this latter right Mordechai Vanunu has been returned to prison on 23rd May, 2010 for three months detention.

Maguire said:

‘I join my voice with many others around the world, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mordechai Vanunu. The restrictions put on Vanunu are not parole restrictions since he served his full18 year term.

These restrictions arbitrarily limit his right to freedom of movement, expression and association, and are therefore in breach of International Law.

After 24 years held within Israel against his will, it is time for Mordechai to be allowed to leave the country, so he can get on with his life. He has suffered enough and is no threat to Israeli National Security.’

In her letter to President Obama, Mairead Maguire thanked him for all he is doing for a Nuclear Free World and a Nuclear Free Middle East.

Maguire went on to say:

‘Twenty four years ago when Mordechai Vanunu, as a young technician in Dimona, Israeli's Nuclear Weapons Plant, in conscience told the world about the Israeli Nuclear Bomb, it was his attempt to do what he could for a Nuclear Free Middle East and a Nuclear Free World. History will remember Vanunu as a man of courage, integrity and peace. But today all Vanunu asks for is for his Freedom. Obama and Perez have it within their ower to free Mordechai Vanunu and the world expects them to do so.’

Mairead Maguire www.peacepeople.com

25th May, 2010