After hearing from Vaughn Smith about Julian Assange’s slurred Christmas call and the statement he made that he is dying, the question still remains about his obvious sustained psychological as well as physical injuries while incarcerated.
The last time he appeared in court, he walked with a limp which he did not have six months ago. Obviously being sedated, Assange’s health has grown continuously worse as he remains behind bars in the highest security prison in the UK. He is currently on remand awaiting his extradition hearing. He spends 23 hours in solitary confinement a day. Why such serious detainment?
According to the UN Special rapporteur on torture, Nils Melzer :
“UN Standard Minimum Rules 43&44:
“Solitary confinement”: 22 or more hrs/day without meaningful human contact.
If “prolonged” (15+ consecutive days) it amounts to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment & is always prohibited!”
Assange has been in solitary confinement for much of his time in Belmarsh since April 12th for first, a simple bail violation and now for awaiting his extradition trial. This is clearly a violation of his human rights!
In a Twitter thread Nils Melzer also shared the following:
(1/6) Just out: My letter to the #UK Govt of 29 Oct 2019, detailing serious due process violations, expressing alarm at #Assange’s detention conditions & health, reiterating my queries & calling for his prompt release. Direct link: https://t.co/mqDEFuYowZ?amp=1 (60 days & no response)
(2/6) My official findings, supported by medical experts, unquestionably provide “reasonable ground to believe” that UK officials contributed to #Assange’s psychological torture or ill-treatment, whether through perpetration, attempt, complicity or other forms of participation.
(3/6) Under the Convention against Torture, the UK Govt does not have the political discretion to simply reject such findings, but must conduct a prompt & impartial investigation and, if confirmed, prosecute the perpetrators and provide redress & rehabilitation to Mr. Assange.
(4/6) In my view, recurring & serious due process violations in the UK have rendered both #Assange’s criminal conviction/sentencing for bail violation & US extradition trial inherently arbitrary, to the point of making any legal remedies a pointless formality devoid of prospect.
(5/6) The resulting anxiety, stress & hopelessness have significantly contributed to & are currently the primary cause for #Assange’s continued exposure to psychological torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
(6/6) I therefore strongly recommend that the UK Government retract their authorization for Mr. Assange’s extradition to the United States and proceed to releasing him from prison without further delay.
Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the British State, not of Mr #Assange or his defense counsel, to ensure legal proceedings will be conducted in good faith, by independent impartial judicial magistrates & in full compliance with domestic & international law.
There is no justice in sight in this case. Assange continues to slowly be martyred by the state in an act of vengeance. How long can he sustain the torture inflicted upon him? What must it take to free him? How long before people realize they are just as guilty as his oppressors in their complacency?
Angel Fox Media 