Considering that the right to free speech and the freedom of the press are protected by the highest international instruments related to human rights, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (article 19), the International Pact on Civil and Political Rights (article 19), the International Convention on the Elimination of All Kids of Discrimination Against Women (article 7), the Pact of San José (article 13), among others.
Also considering that the Constitution of the United States of América, in its First Amendment, grants total protection to free speech and the freedom of the press against laws and acts from the State.
We point out that Julian Assange, in absolute coherence with such fundamental human right, has done nothing but divulge in a transparent way to the public the illegal acts committed by the American Government, which has spied and has continued to indiscriminately spy people, companies and governments all around the world, violating rights and privacy with impunity.
Emphasizing that many companies, people and governments from our region have been victims of such illicit activities from the American Government.
Knowing that the American Government is processing Julian Assange based on an obsolete law, over 100 years old, the Espionage Act from 1918, and instruments conceived to deal with military threats from World War I.
Observing that the 17 accusations presented against him, based on such out of date instrument, could result in a sentence of 175 years in prison.
Considering that Julian Assange is under inhumane conditions of imprisonment in Belmarsh, under absolute isolation, which prevents him to keep regular contact with his family and lawyers, contrary to the international conventions on human rights.
Also observing that Julian Assange is currently ill, which places concern for his life.
Lastly, considering that the current extradition process of Julian Assange from the United Kingdom to the United States of America it a process of clear political nature, which seeks to illegally incarcerate to a journalist who merely fulfilled his duty to correctly inform the public about the criminal activities of the Government of the United States.
The Grupo de Puebla:
1. Demands he Government of the United Kingdom to immediately deny the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States, based on the undisputable argument that he is being politically persecuted.
2. Demands the United Kingdom to grant Julian Assange a political refugee status, condition which was illegally taken away by the Government of Ecuador in 2019.
3. Demands it immediate release so he can take care of his deteriorated health and he can be reunited with his family.
Signers:
1. Luiz Inácio “Lula” Da Silva
2. Ernesto Samper
3. Dilma Rousseff
4. David Choquehuanca
5. Celso Amorim
6. Jorge Taiana
7. Guillaume Long
8. Marco Enríquez-Ominami
9. Aloizio Mercadante
10. Iván Cepeda
11. Fernando Haddad
12. Clara López
13. Daniel Martínez
14. Gabriela Rivadeneira
15. Karol Cariola
16. Carlos Sotelo
17. Carol Proner
18. Esperanza Martínez