By Aaron Miller-
A U.N expert’s claim that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was subjected to harassment when in exile at the Equadorian embassy in London is disturbing.
The expert’s professional conclusion that the controversial whistle blower is showing all the symptoms of psychological torture due to inhumane and degrading treatment during his seven year exile is a poor reflection on the staff at the embassy where Assange sought refuge for years. Further claims that Assange is being maltreated in Belmash Prison in the U.K is bad news for Human Rights records. It calls for an investigation which will probably not be conducted. Claims that Assange risks having his human rights violated if he is extradited to the US should also not be dismissed out of hand if true.
Assange is up against multiple charges from the United States Justice Department, that include 17 counts under the Espionage Act. Supporters of Assange believe the charges against the Australian are an attack against the freedom of expression, with worrying ramifications for the press. Those views are weakened by the fact the Wikileaks founder divulged highly secretive and sensitive information which he stole. Neil Melzer, the special Rapporteur on torture, who visited Assange on May 9 in Belmarsh Prison in London said a medical examination conducted on the publisher revealed serious psychological treatment caused by several years worth of progressively severe forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
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He said:
“It was obvious that Mr. Assange’s health has been seriously affected by the extremely hostile and arbitrary environment he has been exposed to for many years,” Melzer said.
He added Assange was subjected to “oppressive isolation, harassment and surveillance inside the embassy,” as well as “deliberate collective ridicule, insults and humiliation.” Assange appeared frail and bearded as he was dragged by police from the embassy, having had virtually no access to sunlight during his lengthy stint there.
Melzer added to his that legal visits from lawyers are being kept short and infrequent, and he is unable to access legal documents and case files, making it “impossible” for him to prepare his legal defence properly. Melzer has sent a letter to the British government appealing for them to block the publisher’s extradition to the US. He said:
“My most urgent concern is that, in the United States, Mr. Assange would be exposed to a real risk of serious violations of his human rights, including his freedom of expression, his right to a fair trial and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,” he said.
The allegations are worrying and call for an urgent review into the treatment of the whistle blower. No justification can be provided for inhumane treatment of Assange, even in light of the crimes he is accused of committing. The law exists to punish individuals for offences,making it intolerably repugnant when professional officials behave unacceptably and illegally.
Assange faces up to 175 years in prison if found guilty of the Espionage Act offenses, for his alleged role in unlawfully encouraging, receiving and publishing national defense information in concert with former US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. Melzer suggested he could also face the death penalty if further charges were added in the future.
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Barry Pollack, an attorney for Assange, said last week that the charges under the Espionage Act sought to punish him “for encouraging sources to provide him truthful information and for publishing that information.” He said in a statement:
“These unprecedented charges demonstrate the gravity of the threat the criminal prosecution of Julian Assange poses to all journalists in their endeavour to inform the public about actions that have been taken by the US government.” The statement’s failure to acknowledge the illegality of Assange’s actions confirms the almost inevitable bias that accompany’s legal representation in cases of this magnitude. It is essentially groundless, and will do little to exonerate the audacious pursuits of Assange that has led to his fate.
Assange is charged with computer hacking and an allegation of rape in Sweden, which he denies. An investigation into the rape charge was re-opened earlier this month. Mezler said:
“In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political persecution I have never seen a group of democratic states ganging up to deliberately isolate, demonise and abuse a single individual for such a long time and with so little regard for human dignity and the rule of law,”