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UN rights expert urges UK, Sweden to honour Assange decision

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange speaking from the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London where he has been living for more than three years after the country granted him political asylum. Dominic Lipinski

GENEVA – A U.N. human rights expert is calling on Sweden and Britain to follow the recommendation by a U.N. panel to allow freedom of movement for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Alfred de Zayas says the countries should set a “good example” and follow the finding announced Feb. 5 by the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that Assange should be free to leave the Ecuadorean embassy in London.

READ MORE: David Cameron blasts UN panel’s ruling on WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange

Authorities in Britain and Sweden have rejected the finding, saying Assange has detained himself by seeking refuge in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London after facing allegations of sexual misconduct in Sweden. They insist he will be arrested if he leaves.

De Zayas said in a statement Monday that the non-binding international order requires a “consistent and uniform” application of international law.

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WATCH: Britain, Sweden violated Assange’s human rights: UN panel
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Britain, Sweden violated Assange’s human rights: UN panel

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