On the 30th June 2021, 11 Australian Members of Parliament from various parties released video calling upon President Biden to release Julian Assange
The Australian politicians warn that Assange’s prosecution threatens journalists worldwide.
Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent, said: “We are Parliamentarians and we are calling the Government of the United states to drop the unprecedented charges under the Espionage Act”
Julian Hill MP, ALP, who has spoken in parliament about Assange, appeals to the UK: “We are imploring the British government to release him from prison, and send him home.”
Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens, said: “Like politicians in the UK and the US we are elected to defend our citizens’ rights”
Dr. Helen Haines MP, Independent said: “Voters expect us to hold accountable those who commit wrong-doing, not to punish those who expose it, such as Julian Assange.”
Susan Templeman, MP, ALP, said: “Citizens expect us to protect journalists and publishers, not to imprison them for their work.”
Maria Vamvakinou MP, ALP said: “Julian Assange is right now arbitarilly detained for publishing activities”
Josh Wilson MP, ALP, said: “His treatment violates the Convention Against Torture and his perfection threatens journalists world-wide”
Senator Carol Brown, ALP, added: “The world’s leading human rights and press freedom groups are unequivocally denouncing the charges against [Julian Assange]. And we join them.”
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Australian Greens, told Biden: “Australian citizens want Julian Assange to be free.”
Peter Khalil MP, ALP, noted: “Indeed, one of the largest petitions in Australia’s history, with over 600,000 signatures, has been tabled in the Australian Parliament, calling on the US to free Assange.”
George Christensen MP, Liberal National Party, said: “The ruling by UK District Court Judge Vanessa Baraitser on the 4th January this year to deny extradition provides the opportunity for urgent reconsideration”
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Consortium News
Sydney Morning Herald