The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel will make her decision on Julian Assange’s extradition on 18th May.
That’s only 5 days away.
It’s not too late to help.
If extradited, Assange faces a 175-year sentence in a maximum security prison, most likely in solitary confinement. Why? Because he exposed war crimes. He published the truth.
He has suffered enough and his family are gravely concerned being sent to the US will increase his risk of suicide. His wife, Stella, and their two young children, just want him home.
If the UK support his extradition, it will set a terrifying precedent that will pose irreversible threats to the rights and freedoms of all journalists, media workers, publishers and writers.
You can TAKE ACTION by:
WRITING to the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel. You can find a script and email details below.
SIGNING RSF’s petition: https://rsf.org/en/petition/freeassange-sign-urge-uk-home-secretary-priti-patel-reject-julian-assange%E2%80%99s-extradition
Email your local member and request their support. You can use the form here: https://ithaka.movie/take-action/
Share, tweet, post as much as you can. Tag @pritipatel on Twitter.
Use the hashtags #FreeAssange #FreeAssangeNOW #PressFreedom #JournalismIsNotACrime #WeAreAllAssange #NoExtradition
Don’t forget to tag us in your posts too! @penperth
Make sure you ACT before 18th May!
LETTER TO PRITI PATEL, UK HOME SECRETARY
SEND TO:
Home Office
Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk
Dear Home Secretary Priti Patel,
I am writing to implore you to reject the US government’s request to extradite Julian Assange. Agreeing to Mr Assange’s extradition would be in contravention of several international conventions and the UK’s own Extradition Treaty with the US. It would convey to the world that the UK values appeasement of the US over justice, humanity and freedom of the press.
Undeniably, this is a complex situation and you are facing immense pressure in the lead up to your decision. However, the only ethical choice is to refuse Mr Assange’s extradition and avoid setting a dangerous precedent that will have irreversible impacts on the freedoms and rights of journalists, publishers, media workers and writers across the globe.
The choice is in your hands.
[Add personal note: why is this issue important to you?]
Furthermore, I ask you release Mr Assange from Belmarsh prison and allow him to reunite with his family. The trauma and turmoil they have endured over the past decade has been protracted and unjustifiable. It is time for this political farce to end, and you have the unique and momentous opportunity to make that happen.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Optional: your organisation/association]
PEN Perth 