A delegation of Australian politicians from various political parties has traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with U.S. officials and members of Congress, urging the U.S. government to abandon its efforts to prosecute Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. Assange is currently facing charges for publishing classified U.S. military documents. The delegation, which includes former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and several senators, delivered a letter signed by more than 60 members of parliament calling for the U.S. to drop the charges against Assange.
Assange, an Australian citizen, has been fighting against extradition to the U.S., where he could potentially face up to 175 years in a maximum-security prison. The charges against him include receiving, possessing, and communicating classified information, as well as conspiracy to commit computer intrusion. If extradited, Assange would face trial in Alexandria, Virginia.
At a press conference outside the Justice Department, the members of the delegation expressed optimism that a resolution could be reached with the U.S. to secure Assange’s freedom. They emphasized their commitment to continue pressuring the U.S. until a conclusion is reached in the prosecution. Former Deputy Prime Minister Joyce stated, “We did not come here to pick a fight. We came here to present a case and to lobby for an outcome.”
Assange has been held at London’s Belmarsh Prison since 2019 when he was removed from the Ecuadorian Embassy for breaching bail conditions. He sought asylum at the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden in relation to allegations of sexual assault, which were eventually dropped. The delegation attempted to visit Assange at the prison but was denied access.
The charges against Assange stem from the publication of cables leaked by U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in 2010. These cables revealed alleged war crimes committed by the U.S. in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as instances of CIA torture and rendition. Members of the delegation stressed that Assange’s work as a journalist did not put anyone’s life in danger, despite arguments made by U.S. prosecutors and critics.
The Australian politicians highlighted the discrepancy between Assange’s prosecution and the lack of charges against other news outlets that published similar materials. They pointed out that major news organizations, including The Guardian, The New York Times, and Der Spiegel, collaborated with Assange on the publication of the leaked documents. These outlets have also called for the U.S. to drop the charges against Assange.
The delegation cited polling data showing that nearly 90% of Australians believe the charges against Assange should be dropped. They emphasized the importance of raising awareness among U.S. officials and politicians about the Australian public’s position on the matter. The delegation has also engaged with civil rights groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Committee to Protect Journalists, to further support their cause.
The Biden administration’s decision to continue pursuing Assange’s prosecution has raised questions and concerns among the delegation and their constituents. They believe that the case against Assange has already strained U.S.-Australian relations and that dropping the charges would be an act of mutual respect and trust between the two countries.
The delegation’s visit coincides with the upcoming meeting between President Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, where Assange’s case is expected to be discussed. The Australian politicians hope that their advocacy efforts will contribute to securing Assange’s release and emphasize the significance of this issue, which has garnered support from politicians across the ideological spectrum.
In conclusion, the Australian delegation’s visit to the U.S. to advocate for Julian Assange’s freedom has sparked discussions about press freedom, government transparency, and the role of journalism in the digital age. With mounting support from various political factions, the delegation aims to influence U.S. officials and lawmakers to reconsider the charges against Assange and bring attention to the concerns of the Australian public.
