A conference on the plight of Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange has been scheduled for March next year with a notable Greek presence.
Moderating the event will be journalist and former SBS presenter Mary Kostakidis, whilst other attendees include former minister of finance of Greece Yanis Varoufakis, Dr Emma Shortis, Assange’s father John Shipton, and Constantine Pakavakis amongst others.
Varoufakis and the others will share their insights, not just on Assange but a bigger picture on how global tech giants might be changing our economic system.
Assange has been in prison in the United Kingdom since 2019 and is fighting extradition to face espionage charges in the US.
The planned conference is set to take place soon after recently announced two-day public hearing for Assange in February.
On February 20 and 21, 2024, the 52-year-old will appear before two judges in the UK High Court, who will review an earlier UK High Court decision taken by a single judge on 6 June 2023, which refused Julian permission to appeal.
The hearing will determine whether Assange will have further opportunities to argue his case before the UK courts, or whether he will be extradited to the United States to face charges under the 1917 US Espionage Act. If extradited, Assange could face a sentence of 175 years.
“Our friend, Julian Assange, is more than a cause; he represents our lifeline to truth, justice, and the unyielding pursuit of freedom,” said campaign strategist and admitted lawyer Niki Konstantinidis in a statement sent to Neos Kosmos.
“Those who have been fighting for freedom in various forms understand the precious nature of freedom of thought and expression.”
She also sent a follow up statement from Con Pakavakis, who says “supporting Assange isn’t just about him; it’s about defending the principles that keep our democracy strong.”
“It’s about your right to question those in power, access unbiased information, and freely express your views without fear. These are the very foundations of a healthy democracy.”
Following the delegation of six Australian MPs to Washington in September, 16 Democratic and Republican members of Congress sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling for the dropping of all charges against him.
Pakavakis says that “The Assange Epic isn’t just about one man; it’s about defending our democratic values.”
He also points to the words of Euripides: “Nothing does more harm to the state than a tyrant.”
“This conference is our chance to unite against oppressive forces threatening our democratic fabric,” he said.
They want a world where “whistle-blowers are protected, not prosecuted…where truth-tellers are not silenced, where democracy thrives, and where your voice matters. This conference is an invitation to be part of that change.”
The conference is scheduled to take place on March 9, 2024 at Storey Hall – RMIT University, 342 Swanston St, Melbourne, and will also be available to attend virtually.
Further information is available at www.nightfalls.info