A total of 37 elected representatives of the European Parliament have asked the European Commission to intervene and put a stop the persecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Source
A letter was composed and sent to Frank Timmermans, the Vice President of the European Commission on June 19 to speak for 37 members of the EP. The main point to stop the extradition of Julian Assange, as "his detention constitutes not only an attack on the right to information, which is a fundamental pillar of democracy, but also contravenes both international and European legislation."
They first "express" their "concern about the situation of Mr. Julian Assange" after UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid signged the extradition request from the US. They flat out said they all "deplore this decision".
Further, they describe WikiLeaks as *"an international symbol of the struggle for international political transparency." Those are some powerful words coming from politicians in defense of Assange. It seems that only too few dare to speak on similar lines in the US. Tulsi Gabbard and Ron Paul are the only two that come to mind.
The 37 members also point of the sham of how Julian Assange had his asylum revoked, which violate his rights to maintain the asylum "and to prevent him from being extradited to the US until his asylum right is determined in a transparent, impartial, fair and full guaranteed procedure, including the right to appeal."
They also remind the VP of the EC that "on 16 April 2019 the European Parliament adopted by a large majority of 591 votes in favour, a new law to strengthen the protection of whistleblowers and to prevent them from being subjected to reprisals and consequences such as condemnations, forced exile and endless legal proceedings."
This means that according to EU law, even a journalist is protected when one "uncovers State secrets that are in the public interest". As they rightly state in the letter, what Assange did was an "act of public service" and he "should not be prosecuted."
Defending the position of WikiLeaks and Assange to stand for exposing the truth, the 37 members state the "truth must be revealed in any case", and those "who reveal it must be protected". The prove that Assange is recognized by public organizations as journalist and whistleblower, they mention the recent GUE/NGL Award for Journalists, Whistleblowers and Defenders of the Right to Information which Assange was given.
"Assange has been honoured with this award as recognition of his work in exposing the truth, and for his courage in risking his personal freedom. We believe this public recognition should be used as means to highlight the need to both continuing exposing the truth and ensuring the right to information."
The members who signed the letter are calling on the European Commission "to make sure:"
That all requests made so far by the Inter-American Human Rights Commission and the United Nations on this case are listened to and that international law in this respect gets enforced
That Mr. Assange gets the protection foreseen in the European Directive on whistleblowers, in particular when it comes to those whose work uncovers State secrets that are in the public interest
That action is taken to prevent Mr. Assange from being extradited to the US, since the extradition request will still have to be approved by the British courts
That it is considered that there is a well justified and well-founded concern based in previous cases about Mr Assange´s risk of ended up with a life imprisonment sentence
That special care is taken with this case bearing in mind the rapid deteriorating health condition of Mr Assange and his urgent need of hospitalisation that several years of confinement caused, as stated by recent medical tests
That is a welcome political appeal to hit the information highway. Imagine if more politicians saw the truth of the situation, and had the courage and sense of responsibility to stand for what's right and try to stop the persecution of Julian Assange.
I think Julian Assange would soon be free if more political vices sided with the truth and those who expose it, thereby siding with Assange. This may be the beginning of a movement that will end in Assange being free. I can only hope.
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