Australia to Chelsea Manning: You’re not welcome here

Bad news for Chelsea Manning,  worse news, for those hoping to see the former whistle-blower in Australia at her upcoming speaking gig. According to Home Affairs, Manning’s application for a special visa has been  effectively denied because she “failed the character test.

The Guardian notes that there are variant reasons that one could “fail the character test” not  just the fact that someone may or may not have leaked classified documents.  Manning was famously  convicted of leaking classified government documents to Wikileaks, and, subsequently served 7 years in prison for such acts.

Amnesty International has since claimed that Australia’s decision is a direct “violation of Freedom of Speech” rights.