On the 31st Augsst 2020, The Centre for Human Rights Education of Curtin University issued the following statement
The Centre for Human Rights Education calls for the release of Mr Julian Assange in accordance with national and international law and human rights. We call for an end to the ongoing extradition proceedings and for Mr Assange to be granted his long overdue freedom.
There are grave concerns for the health of Julian Assange, who is currently held as a remand prisoner in Her Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh in London. His hearing begins on 7th September.
Nils Melzer, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture has outlined evidence of extensive violations of legal protocol and duty towards Mr Assange. Concerns include that Mr Assange has showed all those symptoms typical of prolonged exposure to psychological torture, including extreme stress, chronic anxiety and intense psychological trauma. In Mr Melzer’s estimation, extradition to the USA would not culminate in a fair trial or bring an end to the torture, but likely make it worse and permanent.
Amnesty International considers that Mr Assange will not face a fair trial in the USA saying:
“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).” and; “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.”
The Commissioner of Human Rights for the Council of Europe, a 47 nation organisation, has also opposed Assange’s Extradition saying:
“In view of both the press freedom implications and the serious concerns over the treatment Julian Assange would be subjected to in the United States, my assessment as Commissioner for Human Rights is that he should not be extradited.”
The CHRE urges the Australian Government contact the British and US authorities and demand that the extradition be dropped due to the past, present and future violations of Mr Assange’s human rights and right to a fair trial.
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