Amnesty International strongly opposes any possibility of Julian Assange being extradited or sent in any other manner to the USA. There, he faces a real risk of serious human rights violations including possible detention conditions that would amount to torture and other ill-treatment (such as prolonged solitary confinement). Negative public campaigns by U.S. officials at the highest levels targeting him in the past undermined his right to be presumed innocent and put him at risk of an unfair trial.
Julian Assange’s publication of disclosed documents as part of his work with Wikileaks should not be punishable, as this activity mirrors conduct that investigative journalists undertake regularly in their professional capacity. News and publishing outlets often and rightfully publish classified information to inform on matters of utmost public importance. Publishing information that is in the public interest is a cornerstone of media freedom. It’s also protected under international human rights law and should not be criminalized. Prosecuting Julian Assange on these charges could have a chilling effect on the right to freedom of expression, leading journalists to self-censor from fear of prosecution. Authorities in the U.S. must drop the espionage and all other charges against Julian Assange.
In December 2023, the High Court in London announced what could be Julian Assange’s final hearing in the U.K. against his extradition to the USA on February 20 – 21, 2024. The hearing will determine whether Julian Assange will have further opportunities to argue his case before the U.K. courts or if he will have exhausted all appeals in the U.K., leading to extradition or an application to the European Court of Human Rights.
If extradited, Assange could face up to 175 years in jail under the Espionage Act and as much as five years for computer fraud.
Take action now!
Urge Attorney General Merrick Garland to drop the charges against Julian Assange that stem from his publishing activities with Wikileaks.
Press releases:
- UK/USA: Global Media Freedom at Risk as Julian Assange Back in UK Court Facing Possible Extradition to USA
- UK/US: Home Secretary’s certification of Assange extradition puts him at risk
- UK: Certifying Assange’s extradition puts him at great risk and “would pose grave threat to press freedom”
- US/UK: “Travesty of justice” as extradition appeal fails to recognise that it would be unsafe for Julian Assange to be sent to the US
- US/UK: “Drop the charges, stop the extradition and free Julian Assange,” says Amnesty head
- US/UK: US “Assurances” leave Julian Assange at risk of ill-treatment if extradited from UK
- Amnesty International joins civil liberties groups to ask Biden to drop case against Julian Assange
- UK: Decision to refuse Assange bail renders his continued detention “arbitrary”
- UK: Lack of Access to Julian Assange Extradition Hearing Undermines Open Justice
- UK: Assange bail application highlights COVID-19 risk to many vulnerable detainees and prisoners
- US/UK: Drop charges and halt extradition of Julian Assange
- Julian Assange: Rape allegations must be treated with utmost seriousness
- Julian Assange must not be extradited to the US
- Amnesty International Calls on Sweden to Assure Julian Assange Won’t be Extradited to the United States
- Q&A: Wikileaks and Freedom of Expression