Open letter supporting Julian Assange by 63 Australian federal politicians

18 September 2023

As Australian Parliamentarians, in support of our colleagues’ delegation to the United States in September 2023, we are resolutely of the view that the prosecution and incarceration of the Australian citizen Julian Assange must end.

Together with a large and growing number of Australians we believe it is wrong in principle for Mr Assange to be pursued under the Espionage Act (1917), and that it was a political decision to bring the prosecution in the first place. In any case, this matter has dragged on for over a decade and it is wrong for Mr Assange to be further persecuted and denied his liberty when one considers the duration and circumstances of the detention he has already suffered. It serves no purpose, it is unjust, and we say clearly – as friends should always be honest with friends – that the prolonged pursuit of Mr Assange wears away at the substantial foundation of regard and respect that Australians have for the justice system of the United States of America.

We agree entirely with the position expressed by the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who said in the House of Representatives on 22 May 2023 that “enough is enough when it comes to the ongoing incarceration of Julian Assange and that nothing is served from the ongoing incarceration of Julian Assange.” We welcome the recently expressed agreement on this point from the Leader of the Opposition, and we make clear that the bipartisan leadership support for this position is matched by the wide cross-party and independent support within the Australian Parliament itself, which in turn reflects the strongly held views of the Australian community. Let there be no doubt that if Julian Assange is removed from the United Kingdom to the United States there will a sharp and sustained outcry in Australia.

We note with gratitude the considerable support in the United States for an end to the legal pursuit of Mr Assange from members of Congress, human rights advocates, academics, and civil society, and from within the US media in defence of free speech and independent journalism. On that basis we ask Congresspeople, members of the press, and other relevant civil society stakeholders in the United States to speak up now in supporting an end to the prosecution and detention of Julian Assange.

We believe the right and best course of action would be for the United States’ Department of Justice to cease its pursuit and prosecution of Julian Assange. Alternatively, a decision to simply abandon the extradition proceedings would have the sensible, just, and compassionate effect of allowing Mr Assange to go free from a prolonged and harsh period of high-security detention. It is well and truly time for this matter to end, and for Julian Assange to return home.

Yours sincerely,

The co-convenors of the Bring Julian Assange Home Parliamentary Group:

Andrew Wilkie MP Independent Federal Member for Clark; Josh Wilson MP Labor Federal Member of Fremantle; Bridget Archer MP Liberal Federal Member for Bass; David Shoebridge Greens Senator for New South Wales

The undersigned members of the Australian Parliament:

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