After two years, Amnesty explains why Bradley Manning has not been named a Prisoner of Conscience:

Michael ‏@_cypherpunks_

After two years, @Amnesty explains why Bradley #Manning has not been named a Prisoner of Conscience: -
http://www.zcommunications.org/after-two-years-amnesty-explains-why-bradley-manning-has-not-been-named-a-prisoner-of-conscience-by-joe-emersberger# …

Over two years ago, in January of 2011, Amnesty USA told me they were “investigating” if Bradley Manning qualified as a “Prisoner of Conscience”. They told me they weren’t sure about his motivations and they’d have to look at his employment contract. I was then dismayed to see that the LA Times editorial board, hardly a revolutionary group, came out with a strong denunciation of Manning’s barbaric pre-trial detention before Amnesty had made any public statement in his defence.

Members of the Pussy Riot band in Russia were jailed on February 21, 2012. Less than 2 months later, Amnesty declared them to be "prisoners of conscience" (POC).

The blazing speed with which Amnesty declared them Prisoners of Conscience prompted me to renew my inquiries about Manning. Almost all my emails went unanswered except for one in which no explanation was given though it was “hoped” that somebody from their "research team" would soon answer me.

Today, I was finally told by an Amnesty USA employee (after she consulted with their “expert” on the case) that they have still not named Manning a Prisoner of Conscience (POC) but that Amnesty is “still investigating” if he qualifies. She added that Amnesty is not yet certain of two criteria that must be met

(Which are at the link.)