Amnesty calls on Sweden to assure Assange won't be extradited to US

September 29, 2012
Issue 

Amnesty International called on the Swedish authorities on September 27 to issue assurances to WikiLeaks' founder-in-chief Julian Assange that if he leaves Ecuador’s London embassy and agrees to go to Sweden to face sexual assault claims, he will not be extradited to the United States in connection with WikiLeaks.

The statement came after Assange addressed the United Nations General Assembly and amid talks between British and Ecuadorian authorities over the fate of Assange — who is holed up in Ecuador's embassy as Britian seeks to extradite him to Sweden.

Nicola Duckworth, a researcher at Amnesty International, said: “If the Swedish authorities are able to confirm publicly that Assange will not eventually find himself on a plane to the United States if he submits himself to the authority of the Swedish courts, then this will hopefully achieve two things.

“First, it will break the current impasse, and second, it will mean the women who have leveled accusations of sexual assault are not denied justice. It is vital that states show they are serious about dealing with allegations of sexual violence and that they respect both the rights of the women who made the complaints and the person accused.”

Amnesty said fears about Assange being extradited from Sweden to the US have played no small part in the current stand-off.

Amnesty said it believes the forced transfer of Assange to the US would expose him to a real risk of serious human rights violations, “possibly including violation of his right to freedom of expression and the risk that he may be held in detention in conditions which violate the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment”.

Comments

I call upon all human rights activists to make a concentrated effort to obtain assurances and guarantees from Sweden that the sole purpose of extradition is Assange will be questioned for sex related issues and not political grounds. Sweden should dispense justice and then ask Ecuador to take care of Assange movement from Sweden to where ever the trusted nation of Ecuador has future plans for Assange. Britain has not been an honest broker and London is a hostile place for Assange.
Can anybody explain to me why Mr Assange is more likely to be extradited to the USA from Sweden than from Britain? With the 'special relation' and defence and security cooperation between the UK and US I would hve though he is in greater jeoprdy in the UK,
The very notion that Britain can extradite an Australian to Sweden for questioning is absurd in the first place. Britain has no jurisdiction over the movements of anyone but British citizens.
Assange could be extradited USA from the UK...America's closest ally. But that hasn't happened...so why is he in danger of extradition from non-aligned Sweden? Apologists and other followers of the cult of Julian never really can explain that one.
"Can anybody explain to me why Mr Assange is more likely to be extradited to the USA from Sweden than from Britain? With the 'special relation' and defence and security cooperation between the UK and US I would hve though he is in greater jeoprdy in the UK" Assange can only be extradited to the USA from Britain with court appoval. However for extradition from Sweden to the USA, only approval of the Swedish prime minister is needed. So, from Sweden, Assange could quietly disappear.
Reality dictates that Assange can be questioned anywhere in the world by almost any means (Skype, telephone, in person interview, etc.) in ANY place in ANY country. Sweden regularly does so with others suspected or alleged in criminal behavior. The question we all need to ask is WHY is not the case with Julian Assange?

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.