Julian Assange has not always been able to count on the support of the government or the media in his home country, but he’ll have no such complaints about the government in Mexico.
Assange has been awarded the “keys to the city” of Mexico City by Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum. His father and brother accepted on his behalf, and will apparently remain in Mexico City to meet Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Obrador has long been an advocate for Assange, calling him “the greatest journalist of all time”, petitioning the Trump and Biden White Houses to drop the charges against the Australian, and extending an offer of asylum.
Of course there is some irony in Obrador making this brave stand for press freedom. Free press advocates Article 19 reported earlier this year that his years in office have been the deadliest for Mexican journalists on record — something not helped by his populist media-bashing rhetoric and downplaying of violence against journalists.
Still, if Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acted on his stated opposition to the ongoing prosecution of Assange, Assange and his family wouldn’t have to turn to governments where that kind of tension existed.
Do you think the Albanese government is working behind the scenes for Assange or has left him hanging? Let us know your thoughts by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
