UK/US: Renewed call for freedom as Assange granted permission to appeal his extradition
Photo: PEN International
20 May 2024: Julian Assange has been granted permission to appeal his extradition to the US, where he faces up to up 175 years in prison and would be at risk of serious human rights violations. Representatives of PEN International, English PEN, and PEN Norway observed the hearing. Responding to the news, PEN International and the undersigned PEN Centres said:
“Today’s decision by the UK High Court is a crucial step in our years-long campaign to free Julian Assange. It is a stepping stone in ensuring that Assange is freed, a small victory for press freedom, and a beacon of hope for whistleblowers worldwide.
No one should be punished for exposing wrongdoing and holding the powerful to account. By providing Assange with further opportunity to defend himself, the court has acknowledged that the assurances provided by the U.S. government are not sufficient for the extradition to be approved.
As the implications of this decision reverberate globally, reminding us of the critical importance of defending free speech, we remain acutely aware that Assange’s fight for freedom continues.
The US authorities’ judicial harassment of Assange must stop at once. We urge them to drop all charges against Assange and to withdraw their extradition request. The UK authorities must release him from prison immediately and refrain from extraditing him.
We continue to stand with Assange and all the writers, journalists, and publishers around the world who courageously speak truth to power.”
Signatories
PEN International
English PEN
PEN Melbourne
PEN Norway
PEN Slovenia
Swedish PEN
Background information
In a decision handed down by the UK High Court on 20 May 2024, a panel of two judges granted Assange “legal appeal on grounds 4 (violation of free speech rights) and 5 (prejudiced at trial due to nationality) on all counts on the second superseding indictment”. While Assange was given permission to attend the hearing in person, he was not in court due to health reasons.
On 26 March 2024, following a two-day public hearing held in February and attended by representatives of PEN International, English PEN and PEN Norway, the UK High Court adjourned Assange’s permission to appeal his extradition order, on the grounds that his extradition would breach his right to freedom of expression, that he might be prejudiced on account on his nationality, and that he might potentially face the death penalty. The US was subsequently granted more time to make diplomatic assurances.
Assange is the first publisher to be charged under the US Espionage Act. He is an honorary member of several PEN Centres.
For more information about PEN International’s years-long campaign for Julian Assange, please see please see War, Censorship and Persecution, PEN International’s Case List 2023/2024, which documents 122 cases of persecuted writers worldwide, including Assange.
Note to Editors:
For further details contact Aurélia Dondo, Head of Europe and Central Asia Region at PEN International: Aurelia.dondo@pen-international.org
To schedule an interview or for comments, please contact Sabrina Tucci, PEN International Communications and Campaigns Manager: Sabrina.Tucci@pen-international.org
Julian Assange’s case is indicative of the increasing threats writers, publishers, and journalists are facing for exposing uncomfortable truths. It sets a dangerous precedent for the state of freedom of expression around the world today. At PEN International, our small team works round-the-clock to support such writers and defend free expression.
Become a Friend of PEN International today and help us continue our vital work in supporting writers around the world who are being silenced.
