Snowden requests asylum in Brazil in exchange for support.
A former NSA (National Security Agency) agent promises in a letter to assist in the investigation of violations by the Barack Obama administration's espionage system in Brazil: "The NSA and other espionage agencies tell us that, for the sake of our own 'security' – in the name of Dilma's 'security,' in the name of Petrobras' 'security' – they have revoked our right to privacy and invaded our lives. And they did so without asking the permission of the population of any country, not even their own. When we unite in defense of privacy and basic human rights, we can defend ourselves even against the most powerful systems."
247 - Former agent Edward Snowden, who exposed abuses by the NSA (National Security Agency) spying system in the US, has requested asylum in Brazil in a letter. In exchange, he promises to help the country assist in investigations into the invasion of privacy by the Barack Obama administration.
He is currently in exile in Russia. White House spokesman Jay Carney on Monday rejected suggestions that the United States could grant Snowden amnesty if he handed over the documents still in his possession. "Mr. Snowden has been accused of leaking classified information and faces criminal charges in the United States. He should return to the United States as soon as possible, where his legal rights will be respected under our system."
In the US, Obama's Big Brother system was deemed illegal yesterday by federal district judge Richard Leon. He ordered the suspension of data collection from two customers of telephone companies who sued the US government.
"I cannot imagine a more arbitrary and indiscriminate 'invasion' than this systematic, high-tech collection and retention of personal data from virtually every citizen," Leon wrote, citing previous court precedents.
Read an excerpt from Edward Snowden's "Open Letter to the People of Brazil".:
"Six months ago, I emerged from the shadows of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to stand before a journalist's camera. I shared with the world evidence that some governments are setting up a global surveillance system to secretly track how we live, who we talk to, and what we say."
I stood before that camera with my eyes wide open, aware that the decision would cost me my family and my home and put my life at risk. What motivated me was the idea that the citizens of the world deserve to understand the system within which they live.
My biggest fear was that no one would heed my warning. I've never been so happy to have been so wrong. The reaction in certain countries has been especially inspiring to me, and Brazil is undoubtedly one of them.
At the NSA, I witnessed with growing concern the surveillance of entire populations without any suspicion of criminal activity, and this surveillance threatens to become the greatest challenge to human rights in our time.
The NSA and other spy agencies tell us that, for the sake of our own "security"—in the name of Dilma's "security," in the name of Petrobras's "security"—they have revoked our right to privacy and invaded our lives. And they did so without asking the permission of the population of any country, not even their own.
The full document is available on the website of Folha de S. Paul.