Julian Assange’s name continues to remain in the spotlight. Now, it has been reported the fact that the bipartisan congressional resolution is calling for the charges against Assange to be dropped. Check out more details below.
Calling for the freedom of Julian Assange
Representative Paul Gosar, a member of the Republican Party from Arizona, has introduced a resolution that states that the First Amendment protects “regular journalistic activities”.
The resolution also calls for the U.S. government to put an end to its prosecution of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks. Assange has been accused of publishing classified U.S. military documents.
The bipartisan resolution introduced Wednesday was co-sponsored by Reps. James McGovern, D-Mass.; Thomas Massie, R-Ky.; Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.; Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.; Eric Burlison, R-Mo.; Jeff Duncan, R-S.C.; Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Clay Higgins, R-La.
“Whereas regular journalistic activities, including the obtainment and publication of information, are protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States,” the resolution reads.
UN expert addresses the importance of freeing Assange
Not too long ago, I reported that according to the latest reports, a UN expert recently expressed concern that the possible extradition and imminent prosecution in the United States of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could have serious implications for freedom of expression.
“Gathering, reporting and disseminating information, including national security information when it is in the public interest, is a legitimate exercise of journalism and should not be treated as a crime,” said Irene Khan, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression.
The Australian editor, publisher, and activist is presently awaiting the verdict of the High Court in the United Kingdom. The decision will be an appeal against his extradition to the United States.
He is facing 17 charges under the 1917 Espionage Act for publishing classified information on the WikiLeaks platform. If he is found guilty, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 175 years in prison.
“I am concerned about the use of the Espionage Act in this case, as this statute provides no protection for the publication of information in the public interest,” Khan said. Check out my previous article in order to learn more details about this.
