Assange Extradition: UK Courts Confront US Pressure

Two weeks ago, Gabriel Shipton found himself back on a plane to the US. It wasn’t that long ago this year, he was in Washington – lobbying the US government to stop their quest for the extradition of his brother, Julian Assange.

The pursuit of Assange has been a 15-year saga, and with it all the thrills a spy-novel and more – characters motivated by deception, murder, coups, financial fraud, global conquests, allegations of rape, trysts etc.

It’s an enduring list where there hasn’t been one element of the seedier side of life the Assange saga hasn’t touched, which the US, UK and other allied countries have all committed.

Shipton’s trip to the US was a pivotal mission — to influence the impending decision of his brother’s extradition to see just how serious President Joe Biden and the Americans were, when New York Post White House Correspondent, Stephen Nelson, asked Biden when with Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, about whether the US would release Julian Assange.

To the attending Press Gallery’s surprise, Biden’s response was in its context mind blowing after he uttered, “We’re considering it.” It was enough of a glimmer of hope to have Shipton back on a Qantas flight to Washington.

May 19 is the day Assange learns of his fate, and it’s a day that looms heavily on the minds of Assange’s family with a reticence of the ‘unthinkable’ and even though Shipton says he tries not to think much about it, it’s a day in a calendar however, that surely weighs heavily on his mind.

Biden’s public acknowledgement considering an Australian plea to dismiss the charges against Assange, was a statement that not only arose because of routine media interactions but signalled a potential shift in the longstanding case that has drawn international criticism.

According to Shipton, "it was a last-minute trip that came up detailing the spontaneity driven by political opportunity.

“New York Post journalist Stephen Nelson out of the blue asked Biden about the Australian request to drop the charges against Julian, and Biden said, 'Yeah, we're considering it.' That was on a Thursday, and by Sunday, I was on a plane."

Arriving in the US, Shipton's aim was to capitalise on the newfound attention to Assange’s case by engaging with Congress and advocacy groups. His attempts to secure a meeting with the Biden administration, however, were unsuccessful, attributing to the administration deferring the matter to the Department of Justice.

Despite being somewhat of a setback for Shipton, the trip was not in vain. He later met with influential figures and organisations dedicated to protecting journalists and upholding press freedoms. "There's shifting ground, and the attentions on the case just to make the most of that in Congress," he said, highlighting his efforts to influence policymakers directly.

During his visit, Shipton navigated the complex landscape of Washington - meeting with groups like the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders - emphasising the importance of the meetings, explaining, "If I meet with a congressperson, we bring those advocacy groups in, and they support, you know, dropping the charges against Julian."

One significant moment of Shipton’s trip was his interaction with Congressman Jim Himes, who had previously supported charges against Assange. Their meeting marked a notable shift and difference in attitude compared to 2016.

"He wasn't combative. He was just like, 'Well, these are the areas where I have concerns, and I'm a free speech absolutist.” The meeting underscored potentially changing perspectives among US lawmakers, influenced by both the political climate and ongoing advocacy.

Shipton’s strategic engagements in the US illustrated the intricate dance of diplomacy and advocacy necessary in high-stakes situations. Despite not securing a meeting with the Biden administration, the acknowledgment from President Biden and the subsequent discussions in Congress provided a glimmer of hope.

For Shipton it became a matter of interpreting these developments as signs of a possible change in US policy towards Assange. Reflecting on the broader implications of his advocacy efforts, Shipton remains cautiously optimistic but realistic about the UK Courts not giving into US assurances Assange will be offered his first amendment rights and the challenges ahead.

Precedence has already been set where foreign journalists haven’t been afforded First Amendment rights as US journalists are. The UK Royal Court of Justice must surely be aware any assurance the US Government gives is an outright lie.

He said, "You can see two different sides coming up," referring to the internal divisions within the US institutions over Assange's fate.

As the conversation turned to the upcoming hearing in the UK, Shipton expressed a mix of hope and scepticism about the potential outcomes. "There's another hearing on the 20th... it’s scheduled to be a two-hour hearing, and that's on the assurances, or so-called assurances, that the US has given that Julian won't receive the death penalty," he said.

Adding to the complexity of the matter, Shipton pointed out the legal assurances provided by the US about not seeking the death penalty are intertwined with broader assurances about allowing Assange a fair trial under the First Amendment, which are ambiguous at best. "They’ve said Julian will be allowed to do a First Amendment Defence, but they said, 'Well, ultimately, it’s up to the judge whether that defence applies,'" highlighting the precarious nature of these promises.

The potential for a shift in public and political opinion in the US regarding Assange’s case seems more palpable now than ever before. Shipton senses that the changing tides could lead to a crucial turning point. “I think Biden coming out and saying we’re considering it has given a lot of people cover now, to come out and say, 'Hey, we actually, we’re actually against this.' Now, so yeah, I think that’s part of it, but also the sort of momentum and the political work that the campaign has been doing for all this time, building coalitions, and bringing people together, has also brought the issue front of mind in Congress,” he said.

Shipton’s narrative wasn’t just about legal battles but about the emotional and psychological toll on Assange and his family. The uncertainty of what maybe, weighs heavily with Assange's health and well-being a constant concern.

According to Shipton, "We're very active type people, we just talk about what we can do. We're doing what we're working on. Trying to have a laugh," highlighting their resilience amid adversity. Reflecting on the broader significance of his efforts and the potential for international impact”, Shipton said.

“The case is now at a point where there's a shift and we’ve got to make the most of it. It's never been like this before.”

Shipton’s relentless pursuit of justice for his brother is symbolic of a struggle for freedom and transparency. With May 19 drawing closer, Shipton’s perseverance is a reminder that behind the headlines and court dockets, are lives hanging in the balance.