Julian Assange case | Concerns for press freedom, according to Michelle Bachelet

(Geneva) The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Saturday that a possible extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States raised concerns for press freedom and could have “ chilling effects” for investigative journalism.

M^me Bachelet said he met Mr. Assange’s wife and lawyers on Thursday.

Mr Assange, who has been detained since 2019 at the high-security Belmarsh prison near London, has appealed the UK government’s decision to extradite him to the US.

The 51-year-old Australian is being prosecuted in the United States for having published in 2010 on the WikiLeaks site more than 700,000 confidential documents relating to the activities of the American army, in particular in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He faces decades in prison if convicted of espionage under a law prohibiting the disclosure of confidential information.

“I am aware of the health issues Mr. Assange suffered while in detention, and remain concerned for his physical and mental well-being,” Mr.^me Bachelet in a press release.

“Mr. Assange’s possible extradition and possible prosecution raises concerns about freedom of the press and possible chilling effects for investigative journalism and whistleblower activities,” said Mr.^me Bachelet.

She stressed “the importance of ensuring respect for Mr. Assange’s human rights, in particular his right to a fair trial” and assured that his services would follow his case closely.

The tenure of M.^me Bachelet as High Commissioner for Human Rights ends on Wednesday.

The US-based Assange Defense Committee said the meeting in Geneva between M^me Bachelet, Mr. Assange’s wife, Stella, and his lawyers, Baltasar Garzon and Aitor Martinez, lasted over an hour.

“Assange’s lawyers emphasized the legal and human rights implications while Stella Assange discussed the consequences of years of imprisonment on the health of Julian and his family”, according to the committee .

The founder of WikiLeaks was arrested by British police in 2019, after having taken refuge for seven years at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.