RSF condemns the UK High Court’s decision allowing for Assange’s extradition

RSF

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the decision of the UK High Court ruling that Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange can be extradited to the United States, where he faces possible life imprisonment for publishing information in the public interest. RSF calls yet again for Assange’s immediate release, and for the US government to drop its more than decade-long case against him once and for all, in line with its stated commitment to protecting media freedom.

On 10 December, the UK High Court issued a ruling in favour of the US government’s appeal, overturning the 4 January decision of the District Court opposing Assange’s extradition on mental health grounds. Despite Assange’s severe mental health condition and his serious risk of suicide evidenced by a number of expert medical witnesses in the case, the High Court accepted the US government’s diplomatic assurances regarding his possible treatment in the US prison system, and ruled that he could be extradited to the United States.

“We condemn today’s decision, which will prove historic for all the wrong reasons. We fully believe that Julian Assange has been targeted for his contributions to journalism, and we defend this case because of its dangerous implications for the future of journalism and press freedom around the world. It is time to put a stop to this more than decade-long persecution once and for all. It is time to free Assange,” said RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire.

In the United States, Assange would face trial on 17 charges under the Espionage Act, and one charge under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which combined could see him imprisoned for up to 175 years — likely in conditions of isolation or solitary confinement despite the US assurances, which would severely exacerbate his risk of suicide.

The charges against Assange are based on Wikileaks’ publication in 2010 of leaked classified documents including the Afghan War Diary, the Iraq War Logs, and more than 250,000 diplomatic cables, representing the largest publication of leaked classified information to date. The documents exposed war crimes and human rights abuses for which no one has ever been prosecuted.

Source: RSF