GENEVA, Switzerland — UN rights chief
Michelle Bachelet said Saturday
that the potential extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange raised
concerns for media freedom and could have a “chilling effect” on investigative
journalism.
اضافة اعلان
Assange, who has
been held in a high-security
London prison since 2019, has filed an appeal
against his extradition from Britain to the US.
The Australian
is wanted to face trial for allegedly violating the US Espionage Act by
publishing classified US military and diplomatic files in 2010, related to the
wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The 51-year-old could face decades in jail if found
guilty, but supporters portray him as a martyr to press freedom after he was
taken into British custody following nearly seven years inside Ecuador’s
embassy in London.
“I am aware of
health issues which Mr Assange has suffered during his time in detention, and
remain concerned for his physical and mental well-being,” Bachelet said in a
statement after meeting with the WikiLeaks founder’s wife and lawyers on
Thursday.
“The potential
extradition and prosecution of Mr Assange raises concerns relating to media
freedom and a possible chilling effect on investigative journalism and on the
activities of whistle-blowers.
“In these
circumstances, I would like to emphasize the importance of ensuring respect of
Mr Assange’s human rights, in particular the right to a fair trial and due
process guarantees in this case.
“My office will
continue to closely follow Mr Assange’s case.”
Bachelet’s term
as the UN high commissioner for human rights finishes on Wednesday, after four
years in the post.
The former
Chilean president’s successor has not yet been appointed.
The US-based
Assange Defense Committee coalition fighting to free the former computer hacker
said the legal battle over his extradition was heating up on multiple fronts.
“Assange’s
attorneys stressed the legal and human rights implications of the case, while
Stella Assange updated Bachelet on the impact years of confinement have had on
Julian’s health and family,” the statement said.
The Assange case
has become a cause célèbre for media freedom and his supporters accuse
Washington of trying to muzzle reporting of legitimate security concerns.
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