What makes the case of Julian Assange particularly important is that it sets a dangerous precedent and demonstrates systemic failures that not only reach far beyond one man's individual fate, but also far beyond all of the individual states involved. In the case of Julian Assange, so-called mature democracies of the West are systematically disregarding the rule of law and directly undermining fundamental constitutional rights indispensable to any democratic system: the prohibition of torture, the freedom of the press, the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial.

The Dangerous Precident

Quote from 'The Trial of Julian Assange'

By Nils Melzer

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture

from page 95