To whom it may concern,
I have been invited to write
to you regarding your investigation of mass surveillance.
I am Edward Joseph Snowden,
formerly employed through contracts or direct hire as a technical expert for
the United States National Security Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, and
Defense Intelligence Agency.
In the course of my service
to these organizations, I believe I witnessed systemic violations of law by my
government that created a moral duty to act. As a result of reporting these
concerns, I have face a severe and sustained campaign of persecution that
forced me from my family and home. I am currently living in exile under a grant
of temporary asylum in the Russian Federation in accordance with international
law.
I am heartened by the
response to my act of political expression, in both the United States and
beyond. Citizens around the world as well as high officials – including in the
United States – have judged the revelation of an unaccountable system of
pervasive surveillance to be a public service. These spying revelations have
resulted in the proposal of many new laws and policies to address formerly
concealed abuses of the public trust. The benefits to society of this growing
knowledge are becoming increasingly clear at the same time claimed risks are
being shown to have been mitigated.
Though the outcome of my
efforts has been demonstrably positive, my government continues to treat
dissent as defection, and seeks to criminalize political speech with felony
charges that provide no defense. However, speaking the truth is not a crime. I
am confident that with the support of the international community, the
government of the United States will abandon this harmful behavior. I hope that
when the difficulties of this humanitarian situation have been resolved, I will
be able to cooperate in the responsible finding of fact regarding reports in
the media, particularly in regard to the truth and authenticity of documents,
as appropriate and in accordance with the law.
I look forward to speaking
with you in your country when the situation is resolved, and thank you for your
efforts in upholding the international laws that protect us all.
With my best regards,
Edward Snowden
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