The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, presented a document to the United Kingdom authorities this Wednesday to request the Government of the European nation to stop the extradition of the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, to the United States. United States (USA).
In the text —cited by Prensa Latina—, the rapporteur requested that they consider the appeal, due to the risks that Assange may suffer in the US, such as torture or other forms of punishment.
For this, Edwards refers to the depressive disorder suffered by the founder of WikiLeaks, a fact that may worsen if extradition to the United States is approved.
"If extradited, he could be held in prolonged solitary confinement while awaiting trial, or as a prisoner. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 175 years in prison," the special rapporteur was quoted as saying by the outlet.
Guarantees of humane treatment of Assange are not enough
It should be remembered that the appeal hearing to stop Assange's extradition will take place between February 20 and 21.
In this regard, the rapporteur warned that the "diplomatic guarantees of humane treatment" that the US is providing are not sufficient to prevent Assange's mental health from worsening.
"They are not legally binding, their scope is limited and the person whom the guarantees are intended to protect may have no recourse if they are violated," he stressed.
It is for this reason that the UN rapporteur called to review the process with a view to guaranteeing full compliance with the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of return to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to take all necessary measures. to safeguard your physical and mental health.
El last January, Jennifer Robinson, Julian Assange's lawyer, expressed concern for the WikiLeaks founder if his appeal to the High Court in London to avoid extradition was rejected.
Two magistrates will review the decision of the Superior Court, adopted by a single judge on June 6, to deny Julian Assange permission to appeal.
