Wikileaks founder Julian Assange: At the hearing that starts on Monday, his future will be decided. Image: AP
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Father of Wikileaks founder Assange: “Switzerland will offer Julian a visa”
John Shipton, Julian Assange’s father, speaks in an interview about asylum in Switzerland and the poor health of the whistleblower.
The hearing that will decide Julian Assange’s future begins in London next Monday. The US judiciary has made an extradition request for the Wikileaks founder. Assange is said to have helped publish secret material about US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. If convicted, he faces up to 175 years in prison. Assange’s father, John Shipton, tells why his son is most likely to find asylum in Switzerland.
You are currently traveling in Europe and meeting with politicians. What do you expect from your meetings?
John Shipton: I will stand up for Julian and make it clear that there is a historic change in Europe: for free expression and exchange in the European community. There’s growing support for Julian.
In which country do you see the greatest chances for asylum for your son?
Let’s start in the middle: Switzerland. Switzerland will offer Julian a humanitarian visa. This is the first official recognition, and very important. There will also be a trial in France. To be in the absolute heart of Europe would be to be in Switzerland. He can recover from the consequences of his torture there. And from there he can accept visiting professorships across Europe. It would be a very fine thing for Europe to have a voice like Julian in the heart of Europe. I live in Melbourne myself – and of course I would like it if Julian would live one street down and come over for a cup of tea or coffee.
John Shipton, father of Julian Assange, fights for his son. Picture: EPA
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What is the goal of your mission?
I am currently in Vienna to meet with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to advertise support for Julian. So that Austria can become part of this global movement that wants Julian to be released – as an icon of oppression for journalists and publicists. That will happen. But oppression will happen when Julian is extradited to the United States. That means that any citizen of Europe who wants to understand his government in relations with the United States can be brought to justice and extradited. The oppression of journalists is a global problem. If it is not resolved now, it will determine the taste and smell of the coming century.
What is Julian Assange’s health and mental state?
I cannot comment on his mental state. I can only comment on my own mental state. His state of health is a problem after nine years of increasing psychological torture, as highlighted in his report by Nils Melzer (UN Special Rapporteur on Torture). Julian is an intellectual, a sensitive person. And he’s in a high security prison with terrorists and killers; a sensitive person but one with a very strong will.
What do you expect from the delivery hearing on Monday?
Every day, like all of us, I work for Julian’s freedom – in anticipation of eventual success. But I take how it comes every day.
