President Pradalié twice visited Assange in prison, our deputy general secretary Tim Dawson attended every day of the extradition hearings, the Executive Committee mounted the last prison-gate protest at Belmarsh. Many others played significant roles, of course, but the IFJ and its affiliates have shown the effectiveness of trade unions mobilisation on a global stage.
Conclusion of this case represents a major victory for media freedom. For the charges to be completely dropped would have been better, but after such a humiliating climb-down, it is hard to imagine the US, or any other country, invoking the law in an attempt to punish journalistic actions.
The energy unleashed by the Assange campaign must now be directed to the hundreds of other journalists who languish in jail. In heartbreaking asymmetry, as the Wikileaks founder touched down, a free man, in Australia, Evan Gershkovich was entering the dock in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The trail of the Wall Street Journal reporter is expected to last for months. There are plenty more whose names are less famous – Murat Çapan in Turkey, Victor Ticay in Nicaragua, Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong – the list goes on.
Assange’s freedom has been achieved though smart, multi-faceted campaigning. There have been street demonstrations, as well as subtle pressure on presidents and prime ministers. Media campaigns have interspersed with celebrity endorsements. There have been TikToks as well as pickets. In all of these, trades unions have played a critical role.
We must now take everything that we have learned securing freedom for Julian Assange, and put it to work ensuring that this time next year, there are far fewer journalists behind bars.
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