Assange's Ecuador asylum bid 'lawful'

Julian Assange’s bid to seek asylum in the South American nation of Ecuador may work, International law expert Donald Rothwell from the ANU says.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's bid to seek asylum from the South American nation of Ecuador may work.

International law expert Donald Rothwell from the Australian National University says Assange has a right under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to seek asylum from persecution.

Mr Assange is facing extradition to Sweden on allegations of sexual assault and went to Ecuador's London Embassy seeking asylum overnight.