In an interview with the SonntagsBlickExternal link published on Sunday, Nils Melzer said that the Swiss government wanted to avoid taking a position on Assange as it could risk American retaliation on the country’s financial sector. The Zurich native warned that “keeping quiet is certainly not in Switzerland’s long-term interest”.
With its democratic, humanitarian and human rights tradition, Switzerland “could be clearer also in the face of powerful states, and call for respect for the fundamental norms of international law using diplomatic channels,” emphasised the independent UN expert and professor of international law. He also pointed out that the Geneva City Parliament had wanted to offer Julian Assange asylum.
Recently, Melzer (who has visited Assange several times) concluded that torture had been inflicted on the founder of WikiLeaks. He also felt that his survival was now in jeopardy. According to Melzer, Assange is under 24-hour video surveillance, isolated from “any friendly, familiar contact” and kept in solitary confinement for up to 23 hours a day. In addition, he has no access to his American lawyers or to the prosecution’s case file.
175 years in prison
Assange has been held in London’s Belmarsh high security prison since April, sentenced to 50 weeks in prison for violating the conditions of his bail.
He spent seven years in Ecuador’s London embassy after the country had granted him asylum. During this time he avoided extradition to Sweden over a sexual assault investigation. Assange was removed from the premises by British police on April 11. The Swedish prosecutor’s office announced in November that it would not pursue charges for lack of evidence.
The British court is due to decide shortly whether or not to authorise the extradition of the Australian to the United States on spying charges. In 2010, WikiLeaks had published more than 700,000 confidential documents on US military and diplomatic activities. These included references to human rights violations. Assange could be sentenced to up to 175 years in prison in the US for violating anti-espionage laws.
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Swiss Politics
Geneva politicians vote to propose Julian Assange asylum
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The Geneva city parliament has adopted a motion demanding that the Swiss government offer asylum to controversial WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being, says Swiss study
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A study by the University of Bern shows that working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being and particularly affects women.
Safra Sarasin private bank and former asset manager sentenced
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The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has fined private bank J. Safra Sarasin CHF3.5 million for aggravated money laundering. A former bank employee received a six-month suspended prison sentence.
JPMorgan to pay CHF270 million to settle 1MDB claims
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JPMorgan Chase has agreed to pay CHF270 million to the Malaysian government to settle all issues related to its role in the 1MDB financial scandal.
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Famine has been declared in a northern part of the Gaza Strip, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system.
Zurich Airport ground handling staff to strike on Friday
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Ground handling staff at Zurich Airport have announced a strike for Friday afternoon. According to a union, 200 jobs are at risk.
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Philippe Lazzarini will step down as head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) at the end of his term in March, he announced on Thursday.
Swiss government predicts CHF845 million budget deficit in 2026
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The Federal Council published its 2026 budget proposal on Thursday: a projected deficit of CHF845 million francs ($1 billion).
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The Gösgen nuclear power plant in northwestern Switzerland will be out of service for six months. It has not been connected to the grid since late May.
Swiss authorities and firms agree to cut sugar in cereals, yoghurts and drinks
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Cereals, yoghurts and drinks in Switzerland will contain less sugar by 2028. The Swiss government and 21 companies renewed the so-called Milan Declaration in Bern on Thursday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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Arrest of Wikileaks founder Assange is ‘very shocking’
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Julian Assange's arrest in London is disturbing, as he “told the truth” and revealed criminal practices, says a former Swiss senator and prosecutor.
Better whistleblower protections face resistance in Swiss parliament
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Switzerland’s House of Representatives has knocked down a government proposal to strengthen whistleblower protections, drawing strong criticism.
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Workplace whistleblowers are to be better protected by law. But a transparency group says the move does not go far enough.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.