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Julian Assange Addresses Council of Europe Hearing on His Persecution and the Broader Assault on Democratic Rights

In a landmark virtual appearance before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on July 29, 2024, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange delivered a powerful testimony detailing the harrowing ordeal of his 14-year persecution by the United States and its allies. Speaking from Strasbourg, France, where the hearing was held, Assange described his experiences as a stark warning about the erosion of press freedoms and the weaponization of legal systems against journalists who expose government crimes. The session, organized by the PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, aimed to investigate the implications of Assange's case for human rights across Europe and beyond, highlighting how his detention and extradition battle have set dangerous precedents for free speech and accountability.

Assange, who was released from Britain's Belmarsh Prison in June after a plea deal with the US Department of Justice, appeared frail but resolute. He recounted the psychological and physical toll of his imprisonment, including over five years in solitary confinement, which he likened to a form of torture designed to break the human spirit. "I am not here because I am free, but because I pled guilty to journalism," Assange stated emphatically, underscoring the absurdity of his conviction under the US Espionage Act for publishing classified documents that revealed war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. He argued that his case exemplifies a global crackdown on whistleblowers and independent media, where truth-telling is criminalized while the perpetrators of atrocities evade justice.

The hearing delved into the specifics of Assange's legal saga, which began in 2010 with WikiLeaks' release of the "Collateral Murder" video and diplomatic cables exposing US military misconduct. Assange detailed how the US pursued him relentlessly, collaborating with British, Swedish, and Ecuadorian authorities to orchestrate his arrest and extradition. He highlighted the role of the CIA under Mike Pompeo, which allegedly plotted to kidnap or assassinate him while he was under asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London from 2012 to 2019. "The intelligence agencies turned my sanctuary into a prison," Assange said, describing surveillance operations that violated international norms and his basic rights.

Assange's testimony also addressed the broader geopolitical context, framing his persecution as part of a US-led effort to suppress dissent amid escalating global conflicts. He pointed to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as contemporary examples where journalistic scrutiny is stifled. "When governments can punish journalists for revealing the truth, democracy dies in darkness," he warned, echoing concerns raised by human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders, which have long campaigned for his release. The PACE rapporteur, Icelandic MP Thórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir, presented a draft report during the hearing, concluding that Assange qualifies as a political prisoner and that his treatment violated the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly protections against torture and for freedom of expression.

Throughout the session, Assange emphasized the chilling effect his case has had on journalism worldwide. He noted that since his indictment in 2019, there has been a noticeable decline in investigative reporting on national security issues, with many outlets self-censoring to avoid similar reprisals. "My prosecution is not an anomaly; it's a blueprint," Assange asserted, citing parallels with cases like that of Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning, who also faced severe repercussions for leaking classified information. He called on European governments to strengthen protections for journalists, urging the adoption of anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) laws to shield media from vexatious litigation by powerful states and corporations.

The hearing featured interventions from various parliamentarians, who questioned Assange on the implications for international law. German MP Frank Schwabe expressed solidarity, stating that Assange's case "exposes the hypocrisy of Western democracies that preach human rights while undermining them." Assange responded by stressing the need for transnational solidarity among journalists and activists, proposing the establishment of an international body to monitor and counteract such abuses. He also touched on the personal cost, revealing how his family, including his wife Stella and their two young children, endured years of separation and fear. "This was not just an attack on me, but on the very principle that no one should be punished for holding power to account," he said.

In a poignant moment, Assange reflected on the role of public pressure in securing his release. He credited global campaigns, including those led by the World Socialist Web Site and other progressive outlets, for keeping his plight in the spotlight. Without naming specific figures, he criticized mainstream media for their complicity or silence, accusing outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian—former collaborators on WikiLeaks publications—of abandoning him when political winds shifted. "The press must reclaim its role as the fourth estate, not as a stenographer for the powerful," he urged.

The PACE hearing is expected to culminate in a full assembly debate in October, potentially leading to recommendations for member states to reform extradition treaties and enhance whistleblower protections. Assange's appearance has reignited debates about the Espionage Act, a century-old law increasingly used to target leakers rather than spies. Legal experts at the hearing argued that the Act's application to non-US citizens publishing abroad contravenes international law, setting a precedent that could endanger journalists everywhere.

Assange concluded his testimony with a call to action, imploring the assembly to view his case as a harbinger of authoritarianism. "If we allow the persecution of truth-tellers, we surrender the future to lies and tyranny," he said. His words resonated deeply, drawing applause from attendees and online viewers who followed the live stream. The event underscored the fragility of democratic norms in an era of surveillance states and endless wars, where information itself has become a battleground.

This hearing marks a critical juncture in the fight for press freedom, as Assange's story transitions from personal suffering to a catalyst for systemic change. It exposes the contradictions within institutions like the Council of Europe, which champions human rights yet includes members complicit in Assange's ordeal. As the world grapples with rising censorship— from social media crackdowns to journalist arrests in conflict zones—Assange's testimony serves as a reminder that the defense of one journalist is the defense of all.

Expanding on the geopolitical ramifications, Assange's case intersects with broader US foreign policy objectives. His revelations about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars embarrassed the Obama administration, leading to a bipartisan vendetta that persisted through Trump and Biden presidencies. Assange highlighted how the US invoked the Espionage Act extraterritorially, effectively asserting global jurisdiction over information flows. This, he argued, mirrors imperial tactics used to maintain hegemony, suppressing narratives that challenge the official line on interventions in Syria, Libya, and now Ukraine.

Furthermore, Assange addressed the psychological warfare aspect of his detention. In Belmarsh, he was subjected to conditions that UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer described as "psychological torture." Isolation, constant monitoring, and denial of medical care exacerbated his health issues, including a mini-stroke in 2021. "They didn't need to kill me physically; they aimed to destroy my mind," Assange recounted, linking this to broader patterns of state repression seen in cases like that of Alexei Navalny or dissidents in authoritarian regimes.

The hearing also explored the complicity of the UK government, which detained Assange despite lacking charges for much of his imprisonment. Assange criticized the British judiciary for rubber-stamping US extradition requests, ignoring evidence of bias and procedural irregularities. He praised the Australian government's recent diplomatic efforts under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which helped broker his plea deal, but cautioned that such interventions are rare and insufficient without structural reforms.

In terms of legacy, Assange's work with WikiLeaks has fundamentally altered public discourse on transparency. The platform's disclosures influenced global events, from the Arab Spring to anti-corruption movements. Yet, he warned of a backlash: the rise of "fake news" narratives used to discredit legitimate journalism, and the consolidation of media power in corporate hands aligned with state interests.

As the session wrapped up, Assange expressed cautious optimism, noting that his release proves public mobilization can prevail against seemingly insurmountable odds. However, he stressed the ongoing threats to others, such as imprisoned journalists in Gaza or whistleblowers facing extradition. The PACE's potential resolutions could pressure the US and UK to amend their approaches, but Assange reminded that true change requires vigilance from below.

This extensive account of the hearing captures not only the facts of Assange's testimony but also its profound implications for journalism, human rights, and international relations. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of truth in the face of oppression, urging a recommitment to the principles that safeguard free expression in an increasingly precarious world. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full World Socialist Web Site Article at:
[ https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/07/29/jpon-j29.html ]