UN Opinion on Arbitrary Detention

Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its seventy-fourth session, 30 November – 4 December 2015

Opinion No. 54/2015 concerning Julian Assange (Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)*

which concluded.....

99.

In the light of the foregoing, the Working Group renders the following opinion:

The deprivation of liberty of Mr. Assange is arbitrary and in contravention of articles 9

and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 7, 9(1), 9(3), 9(4), 10

and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It falls within

category III of the categories applicable to the consideration of the cases submitted to

the Working Group.

100. Consequent upon the opinion rendered, the Working Group requests the

Government of Sweden and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and

Northern Ireland to assess the situation of Mr. Assange, to ensure his safety and physical

integrity, to facilitate the exercise of his right to freedom of movement in an expedient

manner, and to ensure the full enjoyment of his rights guaranteed by the international norms

on detention.

101. The Working Group considers that, taking into account all the circumstances of the

case, the adequate remedy would be to ensure the right of free movement of Mr. Assange

and accord him an enforceable right to compensation, in accordance with article 9(5) of the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

[Adopted on 4 December 2015]"

You can read the U.K Foreign and Commonwealth Office's rebuttal
here. ( Published 2017-07-10 )

You can write to the UK Ministry of Justice to remind them of their responsibility to the International community to abide by and enforce the Human Rights Council's opinion here.

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