US Refuses to Assure UK Judges That Assange Won’t Be Executed If He’s Extradited

submitted by FreeAssange from (truthout.org)

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[–]jet199 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

If he were anyone else this would be enough too claim asylum in the UK

[–]Bitch-Im-a-cow 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

anyone else

False. Look up extradition and MLA agreements with the UK, or read this PDF, which lists the countries that can expect to receive their criminals from the UK. Moreover, it's not the policy of the US to execute those accused of espionage. Not that Assange will be treated well.

[–]jet199 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

I'm talking about asylum precedent, not extradition agreements.

Also https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/extradition-from-uk#:~:text=Extradition%20can%20only%20be%20prohibited,not%20be%20carried%20out)%3B

[–]Bitch-Im-a-cow 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The only clause in that agreement that might help is the one on human rights.

Bar #1: There is evidence that Chelsea Manning was mistreated in prison because of the very long periods of solitary confinement, which I think is a form of torture (2010-17; sentence was commuted by Obama in 2017). Assange's human rights would be violated - according to EU/UK standards - if also in solitary confinment for years in the US. So extradition should not happen.

Bar #2: "The head of the IRTF, Brigadier General Robert Carr, testified under questioning at Chelsea Manning's sentencing hearing that the task force had found no examples of anyone who had lost their life due to WikiLeaks' publication of the documents." source So there are no significant crimes against individuals warranting extradition.

Bar #3: Journalism and free speech are under attack. "Amnesty International has said the effect of Assange being convicted on investigative journalists, publishers and anyone who publishes classified government material would be 'immediate and severe'." Extradition would be disasterous for journalists and journalism, as they often work with classified information.

Bar #4: Trump crime family collusion with Russia and Russian hacking of DNC emails should be the top priority, not Assange. info Russia obtained from Trump's associates enough to murder US assets abroad.

Bar #5: "CIA officials under Trump discussed assassinating Julian Assange." source

Each of these potential bars to extradition should confirm that Assange has a human right to remain in the UK (under the circumstances). If not extradited, Assange should be released from prison, but somehow not allowed to work with Russia.