Prominent Names Speak Out Against Assange’s Treatment
On World Press Freedom Day, May 3, a group of prominent Australian politicians joined forces to pen an open letter to US President Joe Biden, urging him to drop the charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
The letter, signed by former Prime Ministers Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull, former Foreign Minister Bob Carr, and former Greens leader Richard Di Natale, among others, called Assange’s prosecution an affront to press freedom.
We believe that the prosecution of Julian Assange is a serious threat to press freedom and the public’s right to know, the letter read. Journalists must be able to protect their sources and whistle-blowers must be free to speak out without fear of reprisal.
A Global Issue
The letter comes amid growing international concern about Assange’s case. Earlier this year, 400 journalists from around the world signed an open letter to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, demanding that the UK government drop its extradition request for Assange.
Assange has been held in a UK prison since 2019, fighting extradition to the US to face espionage charges. The US alleges that Assange conspired with Chelsea Manning, a former US intelligence analyst, to obtain and publish classified military and diplomatic documents.
A Question of Justice
Assange’s supporters argue that he is being prosecuted for his role in publishing information that exposed war crimes and other abuses committed by the US government. They say that he is being made an example of to deter other journalists from reporting on sensitive issues.
The signatories of the open letter to President Biden echoed these concerns, arguing that prosecuting Assange would set a dangerous precedent for press freedom.
We urge you to reconsider the prosecution of Julian Assange and to drop the charges against him, the letter concluded. Doing so would send a clear message that the US government stands by its commitment to press freedom and the public’s right to know.
Kind regards
E. Thompson.