: Assange’s Extradition #IndiaNEWS #Edit The UK government has done a disservice to the cause of free speech and democracy by approving the extradition of the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the

Assange’s Extradition #IndiaNEWS #Edit
The UK government has done a disservice to the cause of free speech and democracy by approving the extradition of the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States. UK home secretary Priti Patel dealt a blow to the decade-long efforts Assange has been making in protracted legal battles to remain in the UK. He incurred the wrath of the US government for revealing to the world the latter’s misadventures in Afghanistan and Iraq. In fact, he has spent the last decade either in hiding in Ecuador’s London embassy or in a UK prison. He is wanted by the US authorities on 18 counts, including a spying charge, relating to WikiLeaks’ release of vast troves of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables which they claimed had jeopardized their lives.
His supporters, on the other hand, plead that he has been victimised for his anti-establishment role exposing US wrongdoings in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. His persecution is being construed globally by many as a politically-motivated assault on journalism and free speech.
The likelihood of Assange’s prosecution in US courts poses a grave challenge to the US First Amendment rights and the ability of news outlets to publish material deemed a threat to national security. Quite rightly has the WikiLeaks issued a statement saying it is “a dark day for Press freedom and for British democracy. ??? Sharing its reaction to the UK’s decision on Twitter it asserted Assange did nothing wrong. He has committed no crime and is nothing but a journalist and a publisher. The US First Amendment guarantees freedom concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. It forbids Congress from promoting one religion over others and restricts impinging on the Press or the rights of individuals to speak freely.
The charges against Assange include 17 under the Espionage Act and one under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The ruling overturns a December 2021 decision that declared Assange could not be extradited because subjecting him to US incarceration could increase the risk of suicide. The judge this time has accepted US assurances that Assange will not face solitary confinement and will have access to psychological treatment.
Defending the decision on extradition, the British Home Office stated the UK courts have not found that it would be oppressive, unjust, or an abuse of process to extradite Assange. Also, according to the courts, the extradition would not be incompatible with his human rights, including his right to a fair trial and to freedom of expression.
Assange’s legal team has two weeks’ time to appeal. Among the options he has is the argument that the extradition poses threat to Press freedom and he is being made to pay the price for exposing wrongdoing by the US executive branch.

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