To: the Hon Prime Minister Julia Gillard

Cc: the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP

We write you as concerned members of the Australian legal community.

We refer to the letter from the distinguished human rights lawyer, Gareth Pierce, who acts for Julian Assange in the UK solicitor, dated 15 September 2011.

Mr. Assange has not been charged with a crime in any jurisdiction; and an investigation by your Government has found that he has not done anything that would amount to a crime under Australian law.

We know you will agree that Mr. Assange has a right to a fair trial and to be treated equally before the law, like any citizen of a country which respects the rule of law. His case is a major test of the strength of our judicial system and our commitment to a free and fearless press.

We request that the Australian Government take serious note of the matters raised in Ms. Peirce’s letter – the grave implications of which you may not be aware – and that, as prime minister charged with upholding our country’s international reputation, you do everything in your power to ensure that Mr. Assange is treated fairly and his rights respected. With the prospect of the legal perils as explained in the letter, we are concerned that there is a very real danger that Mr. Assange’s case will result in another human rights disaster as faced by David Hicks and the resulting damage to our country’s good name.

We call upon the Australian Government (delete ref. to Minister for Foreign Affairs) to respond to the serious matters and questions raised. In particular, we wish to know what specifically the Australian government is doing to prevent a 'temporary surrender' order imposed on an Australian citizen who has not been charged with any crime.

We very much look forward to your response.

Gillard letter.doc