UK/US: Press Freedom at Stake as Assange Extradition Decision Looms
“Julian Assange has already spent five years behind bars, away from his loved ones, solely for publishing information in the public interest. His extradition would send an alarming signal to fellow publishers and journalists around the world that they too could risk the same fate. It is high time for the US to drop the charges and for the UK to set Assange free.” said Ma Thida, Chair of PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee.
16 May 2024: Julian Assange’s legal team will return to the UK High Court in London on 20 May, where a panel of two judges will decide whether to proceed with his extradition to the US or grant him permission to appeal. A decision is expected on the day. Representatives of PEN International, English PEN and PEN Norway will attend the public hearing in solidarity with Assange, reiterating calls for his immediate release and denouncing the chilling effect his prosecution and possible extradition have on media freedom worldwide.
Background information
If extradited to the US, Wikileaks founder and publisher Julian Assange would face trial on 17 counts under the Espionage Act and one count under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which combined could see him imprisoned for up to 175 years. Assange would further be at risk of serious human rights violations, as recently stressed by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.
On 26 March 2024, following a two-day public hearing held in February and attended by representatives of PEN International, English PEN and PEN Norway, the UK High Court adjourned Assange’s permission to appeal his extradition order, on the grounds that his extradition would breach his right to freedom of expression, that he might be prejudiced on account on his nationality, and that he might potentially face the death penalty. The Court gave the UK and the US permission to file new diplomatic assurances – which the US subsequently provided – to be considered on 20 May. An application before the European Court of Human Rights remains a possibility should the Court rule to proceed with Assange’s extradition.
Assange is the first publisher to be charged under the US Espionage Act. PEN International has repeatedly urged the US authorities to drop all charges against Assange and withdraw their extradition request, stressing the risks his prosecution raises for press freedom worldwide. PEN International further calls on the UK authorities to refrain from extraditing Assange, to release him from Belmarsh prison immediately, and to ensure he is reunited with his family.
For more information about PEN International’s years-long campaign for Julian Assange, please see please see War, Censorship and Persecution, PEN International’s Case List 2023/2024, which documents 122 cases of persecuted writers worldwide, including Assange.
Note to Editors:
For further details contact Aurélia Dondo, Head of Europe and Central Asia Region at PEN International: Aurelia.dondo@pen-international.org
To schedule an interview or for comments, please contact Sabrina Tucci, PEN International Communications and Campaigns Manager: Sabrina.Tucci@pen-international.org
Julian Assange’s case is indicative of the increasing threats writers, publishers, and journalists are facing for exposing uncomfortable truths. It sets a dangerous precedent for the state of freedom of expression around the world today. At PEN International, our small team works round-the-clock to support such writers and defend free expression.
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