Today marks five years since Julian Assange was held in Belmarsh, a high security prison in the United Kingdom. While opposing the extradition request filed by the US authorities, Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said:
“Julian Assange dared to highlight revelations regarding alleged war crimes committed by the United States. It is unacceptable that years of his life were stolen from him. He remains in arbitrary detention in the United Kingdom on politically motivated charges brought once morest him by the United States for exposing its alleged wrongdoing. US authorities have failed to fully and transparently investigate their alleged war crimes. They preferred to attack Julian Assange because he published information that had been disclosed to him – even though it was of public interest. His persecution makes a mockery of the United States’ obligations under international law and its stated commitment to freedom of expression.
Julian Assange’s persecution makes a mockery of the United States’ obligations under international law and its stated commitment to freedom of expression
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International
“If extradited to the United States, Julian Assange faces a high risk of violations, including prolonged solitary confinement, in violation of the prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment. The dubious diplomatic assurances given by the United States regarding his treatment have absolutely no value, especially since they are not legally binding and are riddled with loopholes.
The United States must drop all charges once morest Julian Assange, allowing British authorities to release him without further delay
Agnès Callamard
“Julian Assange is wanted because of activities fundamental to all journalists and editors, who often receive government-sensitive information from outside sources. Wikileaks has published evidence pointing to civilian casualties and alleged war crimes. The public has the right to know if their government is violating international law. US authorities are paving the way for a disastrous precedent for press freedom around the world if Julian Assange is extradited. They must drop all charges once morest him, which will allow the British authorities to release him without further delay. »
Additional information
Julian Assange faces trial in the United States under the Espionage Act of 1917, a wartime law that was never intended to target the legitimate work of publishers and journalists. journalists. He faces up to 175 years in prison. For the computer misuse charge, he might receive a maximum sentence of five years.
On March 26, the United Kingdom High Court postponed hearing to allow the United States to file new diplomatic assurances. The court will review Julian Assange’s request to appeal his extradition to the United States on May 20.
