Julian Assange Speaks Out: A Courageous Defense of Journalism and Human Rights
For the first time in over a decade, Julian Assange has found a platform to speak freely, following his release from the high-security Belmarsh prison in London. Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, addressed the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, where he discussed his long battle against what he termed his persecution for the sake of journalism.
After spending seven years in asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy and five years incarcerated in a prison often referred to as the British Guantanamo, Assange expressed how his recent freedom is not a reflection of justice being served, but rather a personal choice between pursuing justice and accepting a compromised freedom. "I am free because after years of imprisonment, I pleaded guilty to doing journalism," he stated, emphasizing that his only crime was seeking information from a source and making that information public.
Assange reiterated a vital point about the essence of journalism: "Journalists should not be prosecuted for doing their job. Journalism is not a crime; it is a pillar of a free and informed society." He warned that the criminalization of newsgathering poses a significant threat to journalism globally, citing his formal conviction by the United States for publishing truthful information as a stark example.
During his approximately one-hour-long intervention, Assange made it clear that despite his newfound freedom, many challenges persist. He pointed to ongoing violence against journalists in conflict zones like Gaza and Ukraine, highlighting the alarming trend of rising impunity for such acts. "If Europe wants to have a future in which freedom of expression... are guaranteed rights for all, it must act to ensure that what has happened to me does not befall anyone else," he warned.
Assange's reflections also included a defense of WikiLeaks, which he founded with the ambitious goal of educating the public about the inner workings of the world. He argued that through their work, thousands of hidden victims and the darker realities of war—including murders, torture, and mass surveillance—have been brought to light. He contended that raising awareness is crucial for holding powerful entities accountable and demanding justice in cases where it appears to be absent.
As Assange concluded his remarks, he left his audience with a pressing reminder of the current state of freedom of expression and the pivotal role it plays in maintaining a just society. "Knowledge allows us to hold those in power accountable and demand justice where there is none," he asserted, urging for immediate action to protect the rights of journalists and assure a more informed public in the face of growing threats against the values of transparency and accountability.
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