A United Nations expert on torture is urging the UK government to suspend the potential extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US, citing fears of torture or other forms of ill-treatment.
Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, expressed concerns about Assange’s mental health, noting his long-standing depressive disorder and the risk of suicide.
Assange is currently facing extradition to the US for charges related to publishing classified military documents. His final legal appeal will be heard at the High Court in London on Feb. 20 and 21.
If extradited, Assange could face trial in Alexandria, Virginia, and a sentence of up to 175 years in a maximum-security prison.
The charges against Assange, brought by the Trump administration, include allegations of receiving, possessing, and communicating classified information under the Espionage Act, as well as conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.
These charges stem from WikiLeaks’ 2010 publication of cables leaked by US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, which detailed war crimes and CIA activities.
Edwards raised concerns about Assange being subjected to prolonged solitary confinement and receiving a potentially disproportionate sentence, given his mental health status.
She emphasized that diplomatic assurances of humane treatment from the US government are not sufficient to protect Assange, as they are not legally binding and may be limited in scope.
Assange, an Australian journalist and publisher, has been held at London’s Belmarsh Prison since 2019 after being removed from the Ecuadorian Embassy, where he sought asylum to avoid extradition to Sweden over sexual assault allegations.
Last month, a group of Australian lawmakers called for Assange’s extradition to be halted, citing concerns for his safety and well-being.
Assange’s lawyer in the UK, Jennifer Robinson, has expressed fears that he would not survive if extradited to the US.
The CIA allegedly discussed plans to assassinate Assange during the Trump administration, raising further concerns about his safety.
WikiLeaks’ publication of sensitive information, including the DNC’s attempts to boost Hillary Clinton’s campaign in the 2016 election, has drawn both criticism and support.
The case has raised questions about press freedom and the use of the Espionage Act against journalists.
Edwards called on the UK government to review Assange’s extradition order and ensure compliance with international human rights standards.
Assange’s fate remains uncertain as his legal battle continues, with supporters and critics closely watching the proceedings.
