Defend press freedom, defend Julian Assange

WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange is facing up to 175 years in prison for publishing truthful information in the public interest.

Julian Assange is being sought by the United States for publishing US government documents that exposed war crimes and human rights abuses in 2010. The politically motivated charges represent an unprecedented attack on press freedom and the publics right to know seeking to criminalize basic journalistic activity.

If convicted, Julian Assange faces a sentence of 175 years, likely to be spent in extreme isolation.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called for the UK government to end Mr. Assanges deprivation of liberty, respect his physical integrity and freedom of movement, and afford him the right to compensation.

Amnesty International says, Were Julian Assange to be extradited or subjected to any other transfer to the USA, Britain would be in breach of its obligations under international law.

Human Rights Watch says, The only thing standing between an Assange prosecution and a major threat to global media freedom is Britain. It is urgent that it defend the principles at risk.

The UKs National Union of Journalists has stated that the US charges against Assange pose a huge threat, one that could criminalize the critical work of investigative journalists & their ability to protect their sources.

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Defend press freedom, defend Julian Assange