A coalition of press freedom and human rights organizations are urging British Home Secretary Priti Patel not to approve the extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
A court in the United Kingdom approved Assange’s extradition Wednesday, stating that it was “duty-bound” to let Patel make the final decision regarding his extradition to the United States, but some advocates claim the move would be a threat to press freedom and to Assange’s future health.
This coalition “[urges Patel] to act in the interest of press freedom and journalism by refusing extradition and immediately releasing Mr. Assange from prison, where he has remained on remand for three years despite the great risks posed to his mental and physical health,” the coalition of press freedom organizations wrote in a Friday letter.
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If Assange is extradited, he will face trial on 17 counts under the Espionage Act and one count under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The coalition argued that Assange would be most likely “detained there in conditions of isolation or solitary confinement despite the US government’s assurances” and that this would increase his risk of suicide.
It also notes that Assange would not have a public defense due to the nature of the Espionage Act and that “his prosecution would set a dangerous precedent that could be applied to any media outlet that published stories based on leaked information, or indeed any journalist, publisher or source anywhere in the world.”
The letter’s signers include leaders from PEN International, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Reporters Without Borders, and the National Union of Journalists.
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A number of other human rights organizations have opposed Assange’s extradition, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Electronic Freedom Foundation.
At the center of this advocacy is the question of whether Assange is considered a journalist. While some have attempted to defend Assange as a legitimate journalist, others claim he is merely an activist, spy, or hacker with a unique platform. Others, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, argue that while Assange is not a good example of a journalist, he should be defended under the First Amendment.
A British court ruled on Jan. 24 that Assange could appeal the extradition to the British Supreme Court if he wanted. Assange has four weeks to appeal to Patel directly.
Assange married his partner, Stella Morris, during visiting hours at his prison on March 23.
