Julian Assange, the controversial founder of WikiLeaks, has walked free after spending over a decade in legal battles and confinement. While Ecuador granted him asylum, he had also applied to other countries, including India, seeking refuge from legal pressures. In 2013, Assange revealed that India was among the first nations he approached for asylum, but his application was denied. He expressed disappointment and sadness at India’s silence despite his repeated requests. Assange highlighted India’s reputation for upholding human rights and its strong support for WikiLeaks. He had contacted the Indian High Commissioner and the foreign office, but received no response.
Assange urged India to demonstrate its commitment to human rights, arguing that if a smaller country like Ecuador could provide asylum, India, with its vast population and influence, should be able to do the same. He highlighted that India’s size and power should not deter it from standing up for human rights. At the time, Assange was advocating for India to grant asylum to Edward Snowden, another whistleblower who sought refuge in Russia. He believed that India, as a superpower, had a responsibility to protect Snowden, especially considering the revelations about US surveillance of India that Snowden’s actions brought to light.
While Assange’s plea for asylum in India went unanswered, his story sheds light on the complexities surrounding whistleblowers and the challenges they face in seeking refuge. His case highlights the need for countries to consider the importance of safeguarding individuals who expose wrongdoing and promote transparency, even if it means challenging powerful nations. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, however, denied having any record of Assange’s asylum application. Assange eventually spent several years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, seeking protection from British authorities who were seeking his arrest. In 2019, Ecuador revoked his asylum, leading to his arrest and imprisonment in the UK. After five years of imprisonment, Assange struck a deal with the United States this week, pleading guilty to charges and securing his release.
