2021 Higinbotham Lecture

In this lecture, Australian Barrister Jennifer Robinson will give her insights into the case based on the decade she has worked with Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, exploring the legal, free speech and human rights issues that have been central in this case.

For the last decade, human rights campaigners around the world have been seeking the release of WikiLeaks publisher, Julian Assange.

After living for seven years under political asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Assange was arrested and detained by UK authorities, pending extradition to the USA on charges of breaching the US Espionage Act and anti-terrorism laws.

In a preliminary decision in January 2021, a UK District Court Judge ruled against the US extradition request – but also found that the case against Assange was neither politically motivated nor an attack on the freedom of the press.

In this lecture, Australian Barrister Jennifer Robinson will give her insights into the case based on the decade she has worked with Assange and WikiLeaks, exploring the legal, free speech and human rights issues that have been central in this case.

Greg Barns SC, Barrister and RMIT Lecturer/PhD student, will provide a brief commentary on Jennifer’s lecture. Greg is a founding member of the Australian-based Assange Campaign.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information