UN warns Assange may be tortured if extradited to US

UN warns Assange may be tortured if extradited to US

The United Nations’ special rapporteur on torture has called upon authorities in the UK to block Julian Assange’s possible extradition to the United States to face espionage charges. Britain could be violating human rights laws if it turns the WikiLeaks founder over to the US due to his fragile mental state and possible lengthy incarceration, UN expert Alice Jill Edwards warned on Tuesday.

A final decision on Assange’s possible extradition is expected to be made in London’s High Court on February 20 and 21. He faces a total of 18 criminal counts in the United States over his supposed role in leaking classified documents via the WikiLeaks platform, including some that exposed alleged war crimes.

Assange has been hailed by his supporters as an anti-establishment hero who is being persecuted for exposing US military wrongdoing, and his prosecution would be an attack on journalism and free speech.

“The last four and a half years have taken the most considerable toll on Julian and his family, including our two young sons,” Assange’s wife Stella, whom he married in prison, said last year. “The persecution of this innocent journalist and publisher must end.”

Although I don't think that the US government will outright torture Assange, I doubt there will much leniency for him either. This whole ordeal has been ongoing for quite some time, the consequences of which have already taken a drastic toll on Assange and what little life he has left.

If nothing else, let this serve as a reminder to those of us who like to research and share information, to be mindful of what we share and to do so in accordance with the law.

Not sure that we should worry about doing so, in accordance with the law, when it is whistleblowing on someone who is NOT doing something, in accordance with the law.

But at this point, as long as this has been going on, I don't know what should be done.

Doesn't he supposedly still have a bunch of stuff he hasn't released?
Obviously we are never going to see any of that.

Tortured? Highly doubt it.

a reply to: IndieA

It's true he could be tortured. They'll probably put him in a cell next to Donald Trump. A fate worse than death.

a reply to: IndieA

This is a welcome intervention

Statement from Alice Jill Edwards the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

“Julian Assange suffers from a long standing and recurrent depressive disorder. He is assessed as being at risk of committing suicide. In the United States, he faces numerous charges, including under the Espionage Act of 1917 for alleged unlawful releases of diplomatic and other cables and documents via WikiLeaks. If extradited, he could be detained in prolonged isolation while awaiting trial, or as an inmate. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 175 years in prison,” Edwards said.

“The risk of being placed in prolonged solitary confinement, despite his precarious mental health status, and to receive a potentially disproportionate sentence raises questions as to whether Mr. Assange’s extradition to the United States would be compatible with the United Kingdom’s international human rights obligations, particularly under article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as respective articles 3 of the UN Convention against Torture and the European Convention on Human Rights,” the Special Rapporteur said.

“Diplomatic assurances of humane treatment provided by the Government of the United States are not a sufficient guarantee to protect Mr. Assange against such risk,” Edwards said. “They are not legally binding, are limited in their scope, and the person the assurances aim to protect may have no recourse if they are violated.”

“I call on the Government of the United Kingdom to carefully review Mr. Assange’s extradition order with a view to ensuring full compliance with the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of refoulement to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to take all the necessary measures to safeguard Mr. Assange’s physical and mental health,” the expert said.
www.ohchr.org...

Biden already hates us so let's give him the finger and really piss him off.

a reply to: chiefsmom

But at this point, as long as this has been going on, I don't know what should be done.

Doesn't he supposedly still have a bunch of stuff he hasn't released? Obviously we are never going to see any of that.

Maybe a deal can be agreed upon where the US government can secure the unreleased data in exchange for some form of leniency.

a reply to: IndieA

originally posted by: Boomer1947
a reply to: IndieA

It's true he could be tortured. They'll probably put him in a cell next to Donald Trump. A fate worse than death.

Every single conversation!



You desperately need help-and some high potency drugs to control your obsessive behavior.

On topic, the government urges whistleblowers to come forward, then demonizes and arrests them. All you've got to do is release 'top secret' information of government corruption and cover up.

I have a hard time understanding how what the American government is currently doing to him doesn't already constitution torture. He's denied proper medical care and deprived his family. The establishment showed Jeffery Dahmer more empathy than Julian Assanage.

ETA.
Don't forget Trump could have pardoned him but didn't.

Who gives a crap He did not offer anything that came to pass .

a reply to: JAY1980

I never understood why Trump didn't pardon him.
He really ought to his second time around.

originally posted by: WannabeeAuCourant
He really ought to his second time around.

That's hilarious....

Meanwhile on planet Earth, Assange has paid a hefty price already and those that don't believe he could face torture if extradited really underestimate the US Admin.

a reply to: Boomer1947

Dude you are obsessed with trump lol

a reply to: IndieA

Well, he will! They will probably send him to Gitmo and then hell die of "suicide". If they send him back the US, his life will probably be in danger. I hope they dont.

originally posted by: underpass61

Amen