THE Westminster government is facing fresh calls to free Wikileaks founder Julian Assange as 40 rights groups warn of the wider consequences of the US extradition bid on critical journalism. 

Dozens of press freedom, human rights and privacy rights organisations from around the world sent an open letter to the PM yesterday demanding the release of Mr Assange from Belmarsh prison. 

The letter coincided with the 49th birthday of the Wikileaks founder, who is facing extradition to the US after being indicted on 17 counts of violating the Espionage Act in 2019. 

The co-signatories described the indictment as an “unprecedented escalation” of an “assault on journalism” in the US.

Executive director of PEN international, a global association of writers, Carles Torner said: “This indictment effectively opens the door to criminalising activities that are vital to many investigative journalists who write about national security matters.

“Beyond the case itself, we are concerned that the mere fact that Assange now risks extradition and potentially decades behind bars if convicted in the USA has a chilling effect on critical journalism, which is essential for exposing the truth about crimes committed by governments.”

Other signatories of the letter include the International Federation of Journalists and media union the NUJ. 

Mr Assange is accused of publishing secret documents containing the names of confidential US military and diplomatic sources.

The latest calls follow a letter published in the Lancet last week by over 200 doctors accusing the British government of “silent complicity” in the “psychological torture” of the Wikileaks founder, and expressing fears that he is close to death.  

Reporters Without Borders campaigner Rebecca Vincent urged the government yesterday to uphold its obligations to protect freedom of information, adding: “All charges against him should be dropped and he should be released without further delay.”