An inconvenient dissident: Human rights activism in the case of Julian Assange

The article is based on investigations by two branches of the United Nations Human Rights Council into treatment whistleblower journalist, Julian Assange – UN Working Group Arbitrary Detention and Special Rapporteur Torture. analysed for this ‘Acting Up’ show that an inconvenient dissident, who has been subjected to persecution liberal democracies rather than authoritarian regimes. Previous research whistleblowing highlighted courage risks taken individual whistleblowers in speaking truth power however, case highlights a different facet which shows how lawyers, activists other professionals often refuse do because professional costs up apparently toxic individual. This argues have built ‘counter-archive’ suppressed facts about case, challenges ‘collective amnesia’ public discourse. demonstrates requires not only but active support dissidents, lack civil society support.