The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel can now sign off on Julian Assange’s extradition to the US at any moment. Extradition will mean that Julian faces the potential of 175 years in prison for exposing US war crimes and corruption.
If he is imprisoned, it will be by the very state whose crimes he exposed. These are the same revelations that Julian and Wikileaks received Journalism accolades around the world for, including Australia’s most prestigious prize, The Walkley Award.
Julian’s life is on the line. His mental and physical health is fast deteriorating. His wife, his children, his extended family have all expressed grave concerns for his well being.
This extradition sets a dangerous precedent. Publishers, editors, journalists and whistle-blowers will now, reasonably, consider whether they too will suffer a fate like Julian’s.
On Tuesday 10th of May Guardian Opinion columnist Duncan Campbell summarized the position that Patel is in, saying: “Patel has an important choice, but it is not difficult. Extradition should be resisted. Assange should be released and allowed to resume a normal life. Anyone who seriously values freedom of expression should support his fight…”
Australians overwhelmingly want Julian to be released and brought home to Australia. The most recent poll in the Sydney Morning Herald (Dec 18, 2021) showed more than 70% of Australians want Julian to return. There are 700,000 of us globally who want him returned home safely.
May 21st is a Federal Election for Australians. We have just a day more of candidates appealing for your vote, urging you to trust them to govern as they say they will. It is at this time that your calls to bring Julian home to Australia are most loudly heard.
NOW is the time to double down on your past actions to free Julian Assange. Many in the Australian Parliament have already expressed their support for Assange. I would like to say thank you for their support and acknowledge them by sharing their names below:
Mr George Christensen MP - Formerly Liberal National Party now running for the One Nation Party
Mr Andrew Wilkie MP - Independent
Mrs Bridget Archer MP - Liberal Party of Australia
Mr Adam Bandt MP - Australian Greens
Senator Carol Brown - Australian Labor Party
Senator Mehreen Faruqi - Australian Greens
Mr Steve Georganas MP - Australian Labor Party
Dr Helen Haines MP - Independent
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young - Australian Greens
Mr Julian Hill MP - Australian Labor Party
Hon Barnaby Joyce MP - The Nationals
Mr Peter Khalil MP - Australian Labor Party
Senator Nick McKim - Australian Greens
Senator Janet Rice - Australian Greens
Ms Rebekha Sharkie MP - Centre Alliance
Senator Jordon Steele-John - Australian Greens
Ms Zali Steggall OAM, MP - Independent
Ms Susan Templeman MP - Australian Labor Party
Senator Lidia Thorpe - Australian Greens
Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP - Australian Labor Party
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson - Australian Greens
Mr Josh Wilson MP - Australian Labor Party
Mr Tony Zappia MP - Australian Labor Party
Hon Anthony Albanese MP - Australian Labor Party
Hon Justine Elliot MP - Australian Labor Party
Senator Stirling Griff - Centre Alliance
Senator Rex Patrick - Centre Alliance
Senator Larissa Waters - Australian Greens
I have updated the petition text with the list so Australian Assange supporters can make an informed vote. Please take a moment to supercharge the campaign right before the election by sharing the petition.