Skip to main content
Amnesty International UK
Log in

Julian Assange should not be extradited to USA

If Sweden pursues extradition over rape allegation, there should be assurances over not sending Assange to USA

Following the arrest of the WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London this morning and a request for his extradition to the United States, Massimo Moratti, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Europe Research, said:

“Amnesty International calls on the UK to refuse to extradite or send in any other manner Julian Assange to the USA where there is a very real risk that he could face human rights violations, including detention conditions that would violate the absolute prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment and an unfair trial followed by possible execution, due to his work with WikiLeaks. 

“We are aware of allegations of rape and other sexual violence against Julian Assange - which should be properly investigated in a way that respects the rights of both the complainants and the accused - and he should be brought to justice if there is sufficient evidence against him. 

“If Sweden decides to pursue an extradition of Mr Assange from the UK, there must be adequate assurances that he would not be extradited or otherwise sent to the USA.

“It remains unclear what formal process took place to allow the UK authorities to enter the Ecuadorian Embassy and detain Julian Assange, who had reportedly had his Ecuadorian citizenship suspended yesterday.

“We urge the UK authorities to comply with the assurances provided to Ecuador that he would not be sent anywhere he could face the death penalty, torture or other ill-treatment.”

View latest press releases