Ahead of Julian Assange's upcoming court hearing in the UK, where extradition to the US is a possibility, a UN independent human rights expert has expressed concern about the potential for severe rights violations against the WikiLeaks founder. Alice Jill Edwards cautions that the repercussions of this case could significantly influence global journalism and freedom of speech.
Ms. Edwards, the Special Rapporteur on Torture, has appealed to UK authorities "to halt any possible extradition for fear that Mr. Assange health may be "irreparably damaged" by extradition.
In an interview with UN News' Anton Uspensky, Ms. Edwards details her concerns for Mr. Assange's mental and physical health and says, "the world is watching this case very, very closely", including the outcome's possible implications for free speech globally.
A final domestic appeal after a long-running legal battle on Mr. Assange's extradition is scheduled to take place before the High Court in London on 20-21 February.
Mr. Assange faces 18 criminal counts in the US for his alleged role in unlawfully obtaining and disclosing classified documents related to national defence, including evidence exposing alleged war crimes.
He has been detained in the UK since 2019, where he is currently being held at Belmarsh prison.
Special Rapporteurs are human rights experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council on specific thematic issues. They work on a voluntary basis and are independent of any government or organisation. They serve in their individual capacity, are not UN staff and do not draw a salary.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
