Julian's freedom: reactions around the world

June 27, 2024 — Julian Assange has reached a plea deal for time served and has been released from Belmarsh Prison on June 24, 2024, after 1901 days unjustly detained (and a dozen years persecuted) for his journalism. He flew to Bangkok and then to Saipan Island, a U.S. overseas territory, where a hearing to formalize the plea deal took place, finally landing in Canberra, in the evening of June 26.

Julian’s freedom was welcomed and celebrated around the world.

Free press groups that fought for Julian’s freedom over the years, welcomed the good news, while also noting that the fight for press freedom is far from over, as US prosecution has already set a dangerous precedent.

‼️WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange is free! We are hugely relieved that this dangerous prosecution has finally been brought to a close. This is a victory for journalism and press freedom, which RSF campaigned for from the very start. It was long past time to #FreeAssange! pic.twitter.com/QL2tpE5ADp
— RSF (@RSF_inter) June 25, 2024

🚨The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes reports that WikiLeaks founder Julian #Assange will be freed from prison in a plea deal with the United States Justice Department.

“Julian Assange faced a prosecution that had grave implications for journalists and press freedom…
— Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) June 25, 2024

GOOD NEWS: Julian Assange is on his way to freedom. Thank you to all those who have campaigned with us for #Assange over the years.

The fight for press freedom continues ✊ pic.twitter.com/nkOZyzc4cp
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) June 25, 2024

#UK🇬🇧: Julian Assange's release is a massive boost for free speech. We welcome his release on 24 June as a significant victory for #mediafreedom, after 1901 days in jail.

➡️ https://t.co/hJJXITecRW pic.twitter.com/mAf9ZzTxAo
— IFJ (@IFJGlobal) June 25, 2024

We welcome news that Julian Assange will soon be free, but the charges should have never stood.

The US govt & all govts must protect media freedom – and our democracies. https://t.co/DOEGpHf4mb
— ARTICLE 19 (@article19org) June 25, 2024

After over a decade, Julian Assange is free.

But the fight against the Espionage Act is not over.https://t.co/4ajydyIsbr
— Defending Rights & Dissent (@RightsDissent) June 25, 2024

A message to all supporters of #pressfreedom. #MEAAmedia #Assange https://t.co/SETXXUSkXx
— MEAA (@withMEAA) June 27, 2024

Julian Assange is finally free after entering into a plea deal with the U.S government.

But it comes at a high price for press freedom.

Hear our experts @TrevorTimm and @SethAStern weigh in on the alarming press freedom implications of the case. pic.twitter.com/ygqChL6Ra1
— Freedom of the Press (@FreedomofPress) June 26, 2024

Politicians, journalists, activists, public figures, long time supporters, celebrated Julian’s freedom, while emphasizing the work of millions of unknown activists who dedicated their lives to freeing him—and us all.

O mundo está um pouco melhor e menos injusto hoje. Julian Assange está livre depois de 1.901 dias preso. Sua libertação e retorno para casa, ainda que tardiamente, representam uma vitória democrática e da luta pela liberdade de imprensa.
— Lula (@LulaOficial) June 25, 2024

Julian Assange published evidence of U.S. war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay.

Yet it was Julian who was prosecuted and imprisoned—not the people in power who committed the war crimes.

Glad Julian Assange is finally free.
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) June 25, 2024

Felicito a Julian Assange por su libertad.

La prisión eterna de Assange y su tortura era un atentado contra la libertad de prensa a escala global.

Denunciar la masacre de civiles en Irak por parte de la acción bélica de EEUU fue su crimen, ahora la masacre se repite en Gaza… pic.twitter.com/kT3GCM8ytq
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) June 25, 2024

Julian Assange is free.

Julian exposed the crimes of the powerful. His incarceration was — and always will be — a grotesque miscarriage of justice.

Never stop fighting for the truth. Never lose hope. Never, ever give up.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 25, 2024

My father would have cried tears of joy today–I wish he'd lived an extra year to see this and to give Julian a hug. Blessings to the Assange family.

Here is Daniel's final interview on Assange, with @kgosztola, 3/7/23: https://t.co/QPBoSn7qti https://t.co/4hbiWeE1cf
— Michael Ellsberg (@MichaelEllsberg) June 25, 2024

Now it is time to celebrate the #exceptionalCourage of Julian #Assange, the @wikileaks journalists, their sources, lawyers, tech people.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has (M.Mead) pic.twitter.com/ecfEdGVikk
— Stefania Maurizi (@SMaurizi) June 25, 2024

I want to pay special tribute to Gavin Macfadyen, Daniel Ellsberg, Vivienne Westwood, John Pilger and Eric Levy, amongst the many who were with us on the long road to Julian's freedom but did not see the end.
— Craig Murray (@CraigMurrayOrg) June 26, 2024

To hear the news that Julian is free was extremely moving. After all these years, Stella & Julian & their children can be together. I wish them every happiness after enduring all these years of imprisonment & separation. @Stella_Assange https://t.co/kdZv6V7f1F
— John McDonnell (@johnmcdonnellMP) June 25, 2024

As I said outside High Court, Assange’s freedom would never of happened without the work of millions of unknown activists who dedicated their lives to freeing him—and us all.

The most powerful empire in history had to bend under the weight of people powerpic.twitter.com/N7mGAVlMSD
— Matt Kennard (@kennardmatt) June 25, 2024

Julian #Assange is a free man. He and everyone behind @wikileaks worked tirelessly to defend our right to know. Now, it is time for gratitude, solidarity, and hope.
— Renata Avila (@avilarenata) June 26, 2024