It’s been just reported on X by WikiLeaks that a UN torture expert is urging the UK to halt the extradition of Julian Assange to the US. Check out the latest reports about this extremely crucial case regarding free journalism and justice below.
UN torture expert urges UK to halt Julian Assange’s extradition to the US
Here is the tweet that WikiLeaks shared on X:
UN torture expert urges UK to halt extradition of Julian Assange to the US #FreeAssange
Link: https://t.co/J2Je0kA49z pic.twitter.com/q0SPKVbp9p
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) February 19, 2024
The UN’s Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, has urged the UK Government to stop the potential extradition of Julian Assange to the US. She has requested the British authorities to review Assange’s appeal, taking into account the serious concerns that he may face torture or other forms of mistreatment or punishment if extradited.
“Julian Assange suffers from a long standing and recurrent depressive disorder. He is assessed as being at risk of committing suicide. In the United States, he faces numerous charges, including under the Espionage Act of 1917 for alleged unlawful releases of diplomatic and other cables and documents via WikiLeaks. If extradited, he could be detained in prolonged isolation while awaiting trial, or as an inmate. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 175 years in prison,” Edwards said.
“The risk of being placed in prolonged solitary confinement, despite his precarious mental health status, and to receive a potentially disproportionate sentence raises questions as to whether Mr. Assange’s extradition to the United States would be compatible with the United Kingdom’s international human rights obligations, particularly under article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as respective articles 3 of the UN Convention against Torture and the European Convention on Human Rights,” the Special Rapporteur said.
“Diplomatic assurances of humane treatment provided by the Government of the United States are not a sufficient guarantee to protect Mr. Assange against such risk,” Edwards said.
“They are not legally binding, are limited in their scope, and the person the assurances aim to protect may have no recourse if they are violated.”
“I call on the Government of the United Kingdom to carefully review Mr. Assange’s extradition order with a view to ensuring full compliance with the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of refoulement to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to take all the necessary measures to safeguard Mr. Assange’s physical and mental health,” the expert said.
Check out more details in the original notes.
A final domestic appeal is scheduled for Assange’s extradition battle before the High Court in London on February 20-21.
Julian Assange and Giuseppe Conlon…
For those unaware, Julian Assange, next week, will have what may be his final appeal hearing in England. One that could see him extradited to America.
Now, I’m aware of what is going on in Ireland, and England, and over in America regarding…— Eòsa Cerne (@TheHibernianpen) February 15, 2024
Elon Musk has just posted on X, raising awareness of Assange’s case.
Worth hearing https://t.co/HD3KPupK1z
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 18, 2024
Edward Snowden highlights the importance of Assange’s case and blasts MSM for its silence
Edward Snowden also shared his thoughts on X, asking for justice for Assange. He also made sure to highlight the fact that the MSM is not covering the issue, although it’s crucial to worldwide journalism.
We should have been reading condemnations of Julian Assange’s persecution—for the crime of breaking news—on the front page of the New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, The Washington Post every single day until he was released from a dungeon. It should never have come to this.
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) February 18, 2024
Although not too many from the MSM reported about this crucial event, The Guardian addressed it.
Julian is in prison for being a true journalist. Shame on the MSM for not reporting about the crucial events set to take place next week and for not offering their COLLEAGUE JOURNALIST support!
Journalists should be a huge family – tied to one another not by blood but by the same thirst for TRUTH and JUSTICE for the world.
