Supporters of Julian Assange organised rallies in Launceston and Hobart on May 19 and May 20 in the lead up to the British High Court鈥檚 decision on whether to grant him leave to appeal his extradition to the United States.
The court has ruled for grounds to appeal, however Assange remains in legal limbo in 2 by 3 metre cell, 23 hours a day, under solitary confinement, in London鈥檚 Belmarsh Prison.
Speakers at the Hobart and Launceston rallies included Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, Liberal MP Bridget Archer, Assange campaign advisor Greg Barns and Greens鈥 Senator Nick McKim.
They were joined by long-time human rights activist Peter Jones and public interest lawyer Vanessa Bleyer.
Assange鈥檚 ongoing ordeal was laid bare with speakers emphasising that, regardless of the court鈥檚 decision, the case must be abandoned.
A minute鈥檚 silence was observed at the Launceston rally, while a recording of Belmarsh Prison鈥檚 horror soundscape was played.
Whish-Wilson, in Launceston, compared Assange鈥檚 case to that of war crimes whistleblower David McBride who was sentenced for nearly five years.
鈥淗e exposed war crimes, but the war criminals 鈥 and we know some of them are war criminals because a civil court has determined that 鈥 still haven鈥檛 been thrown in jail.鈥
Wilkie argued that the Assange case sets a dangerous precedent for US extra-territorial reach and that it is 鈥渁 breakdown of our understanding of justice and the rule of law鈥.
Whish-Wilson commended Liberal MP Bridget Archer for standing up for Assange during the Scott Morrison Coalition government.
Morrison held the view that Assange should 鈥渇ace the music鈥 and be extradited the US. He was also known for his friendship with former CIA director and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a driving force to indict Assange under the former Donald Trump Administration.
Pompeo is accused of ordering 鈥渟ketches to kidnap or kill鈥 Assange. Morrison has recently accepted an , alongside alongside Pompeo.
Bleyer said Assange case is more political than legal: he has been imprisoned for 12 years, with the past 5 on remand in maximum-security prison.
Wilkie said the case 鈥渟hould have been resolved years ago鈥.
McKim said the Australian government must stand up to the British and US governments, adding, 鈥渢he time for quiet diplomacy is passed鈥.
McKim warned that 鈥渋f journalists go to jail for reporting in the public interest there is literally no way people like us can find out the truth鈥.
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