United Nations expert says detention of Julian Assange may “cost him his life”
A human rights advisor has issued an alert that Julian Assange’s health is in a “downward spiral” to the point of “medical urgency”, with his life now at risk.
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A humanitarian adviser has said he holds grave concerns for the health and welfare of Julian Assange.
The UN Special Rapporteur on torture has expressed consternation over the mental and physical state of Julian Assange.
Nils Melzer, an independent expert appointed by the Human Rights Council to examine and report to the United Nations on the theme of torture has sounded the alarm at the continued deterioration of the Wikileaks founder’s health, saying that it is in “a downward spiral” which could end in death.
Assange was sent to the high-security HM Prison Belmarsh in the UK on April 11, 2019 following his arrest at the Ecuadorean embassy, where he had lived in asylum for almost seven years.
Last month, Assange, 48, seemed distracted and disoriented when he appeared before a London court.
Assange is locked up as he awaits a US extradition order over 17 counts of spying and one count of computer hacking in relation to Wikileaks’ release of thousands of classified Pentagon files on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
“While the US Government persecutes Mr Assange for publishing information about serious human rights violations, including torture and murder, the officials responsible for these crimes continue to enjoy impunity,” says Melzer.
The Special Rapporteur visited Assange in prison with his medical team in May and reported then that the Wikileaks founder exhibited “symptoms typical for prolonged exposure to psychological torture.”
Mr Melzer demanded that steps be taken immediately for the “protection of [Assange’s] health and dignity”, it was stated in a press release issued by the United Nations.
But despite the urgency of Mr Melzer’s appeal, the UK government did not undertake any measures to investigate or improve Assange’s situation or living conditions.
“What we have seen from the UK Government is outright contempt for Mr. Assange’s rights and integrity,” said Mr Melzer.
He says that the UK is required under international law to investigate Assange’s condition, and pointed to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment — an international human rights treaty which requires that states conduct immediate and impartial investigations into any situation where abuse may have been enacted.
Mr Melzer exclusively told News Corp that his concerns were informed by medical diagnosis and the forensic and psychiatric examinations conducted during his visit to Mr Assange on May 9, 2019. If the symptoms observed then are not addressed, deterioration is inevitable.
“My immediate concerns are based on new medically relevant information received from several reliable sources indicating that Mr Assange’s health has entered a downward spiral of progressively severe anxiety, stress and helplessness typical for persons exposed to prolonged isolation and constant arbitrariness.”
Mr Melzer said the symptoms could “quickly develop into a life threatening situation involving cardiovascular breakdown or nervous collapse.”
“Unfortunately, the UK Government has not indicated any willingness to take my observations seriously, to investigate the matter or to otherwise engage in a constructive dialogue with my mandate.”
He said he received only “a cursory response” nearly five months after his visit to Belmarsh in which the UK government “flatly rejected” his findings.
“Despite the medical urgency of my appeal, and the seriousness of the alleged violations, the UK has not undertaken any measures of investigation, prevention and redress required under international law.”
Not long after Mr Melzer’s visit to Belmarsh, Assange was transferred to the prison’s health care unit. It is not known what treatment he sought or received there.
“He continues to be detained under oppressive conditions of isolation and surveillance, not justified by his detention status.”
The Special Rapporteur said that Assange has completed his prison term in connection with his 2012 violation of UK bail terms and is being held in connection to an extradition request from the United States.
Mr Melzer described a David and Goliath scenario, saying that Assange’s access to legal counsel and documents needed to help prepare his defence against the US as “the world’s most powerful Government” has been “severely obstructed.”
He also claimed that the UK had reneged on its commitment to global human rights, citing alleged British involvement in the CIA’s dealings, and went so far as to suggest a punitive agenda against Assange.
“In my view, this case has never been about Mr. Assange’s guilt or innocence, but about making him pay the price for exposing serious government misconduct, including alleged war crimes and corruption.”
The Special Rapporteur recommended that the extradition to the US, which Assange is fighting, should be barred.
He strongly urged that Assange be allowed to rebuild his life and that the UK urgently alleviate his “inhumane” living conditions. The torture expert warned that if it did not address Assange’s situation it would “soon end up costing his life.”
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It comes as it was reported that Assange had instructed British authorities to stop releasing any information about him to the Australian High Commission in London.
Consular officials wrote to the Wikileaks founder four times since the order was made on June 14, but did not receive a response.
“The High Commission continues to reach out to Mr Assange to offer consular assistance,” Department of Foreign Affairs assistant secretary Andrew Todd told a Senate estimates hearing.
“There has been no reply to any of those approaches.”
Australian diplomats had not heard back from Assange’s lawyer since writing to her in October requesting that she raise with him their offer of consular assistance.
Following his directive, Australian officials had not been able to monitor Assange’s physical and mental health.
“With the withdrawal of consent, and the lack of our ability to meet with him, we’re unable to provide detailed requests or receive a response from British authorities,” Mr Todd had said.
But on October 25, a legal adviser to the Assange campaign revealed that the UK lawyers had requested consular assistance following an inquiry from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade concerning the inhumane conditions at Belmarsh and the “serious damage” to Assange’s health.