Stans utleveringen av Julian Assange!
Dear Home Secretary.
We, international artists from 15 different countries gathered at the Ibsen Scope international theatre festival in Skien, Norway 2022, are writing to express our serious concern regarding the possibility of extradition of WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange to the United States.
The US government’s unrelenting pursuit of Julian Assange for having published classified documents, some of which exposed possible war crimes committed by the US military, is nothing short of a full-scale assault on the right to freedom of expression.
We urge you to act in the interest of freedom of expression and information by refusing extradition and immediately releasing Mr Assange from prison, where he has remained on remand for three years despite the great risks posed to his mental and physical health.
In the US, Mr Assange would face trial on 17 counts under the Espionage Act and one count under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which combined could see him imprisoned for up to 175 years. He is highly likely to be detained there under cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions, including prolonged solitary confinement, despite the US government’s assurances to refrain from such treatment unless the authorities consider it necessary due to Mr. Assange’s conduct.
Mr Assange would be unable to adequately defend himself in the US courts, since many of the charges brought against him are based on the Espionage Act that does not allow for a public interest defence. His prosecution would set a dangerous precedent that could be applied to any media outlet that publishes stories based on leaked information, or indeed any journalist, publisher or source anywhere in the world. No publisher, journalist or source should ever again face detention in the UK for publishing information in the public interest.
We ask you, Home Secretary, to reject the US extradition request.
Sincerely
Liane C Venturella, Brazil, Instinct-BR
Henrik Bøe Larsen, Norway, Teateret Ditt
Camila Bauer, Brazil, Instinct-BR
Henriette Blakstad, Norway, Hen Blakstad Productions
Wael Kadour, France, Playwright
Guandaline Sagliocco, France/Norway, Sagliocco Ensemble
Annette Ride, Sweden, Grenland Friteater
Anne Holtan, Norway, De Utvalgte
Joseph Sfeir, Lebanon, Zoukak Theatre Group
Jana Bou Matar, Lebanon, Zoukak Theatre Group
Luba Kuzovnikova, Russia/Norway, Traavik info
Luis Ayhllon, Mexico, Dodo Escenas
Irela de Villers, Mexico, Freelance Artist
Beate Pettersen, Norway, Artist
Mari Hesjedal, Norway, Playwright
Morten Cranner, Norway, Dramatikkens Hus
Emmanuel A Galley, Norway, Ibsen Centre
Rawdna Carita Eira, Norway, Playwright
Mohamed Hamdan, Lebanon, Zoukak Theatre Company
Dala Fakhreddine, Lebanon, Clinical Psychologist
L Senstad, Norway, KHIO
Fredrik Floen, Norway, Costume Designer
F.A.S, Mexico
Maiken Rye, Norway, KHIO
Helle Riis, Norway, Skien Kommune
Omar Abi Azar, Lebanon, Zookok Theatre Company
F M, Norway, NBX
Juan Pablo Troncoso, Chile
Daniel Brunet, Germany/USA, English Theatre Berlin
Jonas Ø, Norway, Theatre Producer
Kai Johnsen, Norway, Freelance
Riccardo Clementi, Italy, Zoukak Theatre Company
Kristina Kjeldsberg, Norway, Dramatikkens Hus
Line Rosvoll, Norway, Dramatikkens Hus
Guro Honningdal, Norway, Skien Kommune
John Swift, UK, Retired teacher
Hiam Alchirout, Norway, Save Life
Estefana Padilo, Mexico
Ali Chahrour, Lebanon, Zoukak Theatre Company
Nicolas. Espinoza Bastias, Chile
Anette Waller, Norway, KHIO
Victoria Sophie Gulliksen, Norway, KHIO
Helle Siljeholm, Norway, Freelance
Tormod Fuglestad, Norway, KHIO
Eyrun Müller, Norway, KHIO
Lydia Hann, UK, KHIO
Solvor Leistad, Norway, Retired Nurse
Masoud Ghadim Fallah, Norway/Iran, Writer
Wejdan Nassif, France/ Syria, Baïtona/ Metz
Mari Moen, Norway, Dramatikkens Hus
Sibyl Kempson, USA, 7 Daughters of Eve
Marike Van Ryn, Netherlands, Freelance/ Dramatikkens Hus
Hashem Adnan, Lebanon, Actor
Hilde Guri Bohlin, Norway, Ibsen Scope
Cristina G Baggethun, Norway, Norsk Shakespearetidsskrift
Fabian S, Brazil, Artist
Danya Hammoud, Lebanon, Choreographer
Junaid Sarrieddeen Lebanon, Actor-Director
Robert Johanson, USA, 7 Daughters of Eva
Ruba Matta, Lebanon, Psychologist
Tom-Erik Lønnerød, Norway, Spriten Kunsthall
Pia Maria Roll Jessen, Norway, Pia Maria Roll Jessen
Håkon Øverås, Norway, Film Producer
Hanne Ramsdal, Norway, Writer/Playwright