Statement by Edward Snowden to human rights groups at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport, posted by WikiLeaks:
Hello. My name is Ed Snowden. A little over one month ago, I had family, a home in paradise, and I lived in great comfort. I also had the capability without any warrant to search for, seize, and read your communications. Anyone’s communications at any time. That is the power to change people’s fates.
It is also a serious violation of the law. The 4th and 5th Amendments to the Constitution of my country, Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and numerous statutes and treaties forbid such systems of massive, pervasive surveillance. While the US Constitution marks these programs as illegal, my government argues that secret court rulings, which the world is not permitted to see, somehow legitimize an illegal affair. These rulings simply corrupt the most basic notion of justice – that it must be seen to be done. The immoral cannot be made moral through the use of secret law.
I believe in the principle declared at Nuremberg in 1945: “Individuals have international duties which transcend the national obligations of obedience. Therefore individual citizens have the duty to violate domestic laws to prevent crimes against peace and humanity from occurring.”
Accordingly, I did what I believed right and began a campaign to correct this wrongdoing. I did not seek to enrich myself. I did not seek to sell US secrets. I did not partner with any foreign government to guarantee my safety. Instead, I took what I knew to the public, so what affects all of us can be discussed by all of us in the light of day, and I asked the world for justice.
That moral decision to tell the public about spying that affects all of us has been costly, but it was the right thing to do and I have no regrets.
Since that time, the government and intelligence services of the United States of America have attempted to make an example of me, a warning to all others who might speak out as I have. I have been made stateless and hounded for my act of political expression. The United States Government has placed me on no-fly lists. It demanded Hong Kong return me outside of the framework of its laws, in direct violation of the principle of non-refoulement – the Law of Nations. It has threatened with sanctions countries who would stand up for my human rights and the UN asylum system. It has even taken the unprecedented step of ordering military allies to ground a Latin American president’s plane in search for a political refugee. These dangerous escalations represent a threat not just to the dignity of Latin America, but to the basic rights shared by every person, every nation, to live free from persecution, and to seek and enjoy asylum.
Yet even in the face of this historically disproportionate aggression, countries around the world have offered support and asylum. These nations, including Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador have my gratitude and respect for being the first to stand against human rights violations carried out by the powerful rather than the powerless. By refusing to compromise their principles in the face of intimidation, they have earned the respect of the world. It is my intention to travel to each of these countries to extend my personal thanks to their people and leaders.
I announce today my formal acceptance of all offers of support or asylum I have been extended and all others that may be offered in the future. With, for example, the grant of asylum provided by Venezuela’s President Maduro, my asylee status is now formal, and no state has a basis by which to limit or interfere with my right to enjoy that asylum. As we have seen, however, some governments in Western European and North American states have demonstrated a willingness to act outside the law, and this behavior persists today. This unlawful threat makes it impossible for me to travel to Latin America and enjoy the asylum granted there in accordance with our shared rights.
This willingness by powerful states to act extra-legally represents a threat to all of us, and must not be allowed to succeed. Accordingly, I ask for your assistance in requesting guarantees of safe passage from the relevant nations in securing my travel to Latin America, as well as requesting asylum in Russia until such time as these states accede to law and my legal travel is permitted. I will be submitting my request to Russia today, and hope it will be accepted favorably.
If you have any questions, I will answer what I can.
Thank you.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
It’s enormous that you are getting ideas from this piece of writing as well as from our argument made at this place.
I am glad to be one of the visitants on this great website (:, regards for posting.
You’ve made some really good points there. I checked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most people will go
along with your views on this web site.
I absolutely love your site.. Great colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself?
Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my own website and want to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is named.
Cheers!
Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening.
I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this information together.
I once again find myself personally spending way
too much time both reading and leaving comments. But
so what, it was still worthwhile!
Just desire to say your article is as astounding.
The clearness on your put up is just excellent and i could assume you are knowledgeable on this subject.
Well together with your permission let me to grab your feed to stay
up to date with approaching post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please continue
the enjoyable work.
Very good info. Lucky me I came across your site by chance (stumbleupon).
I’ve bookmarked it for later!
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article. Thank
you for providing these details.
What’s up, after reading this remarkable article
i am as well happy to share my familiarity here with colleagues.
Hi are using WordPress for your site platform?
I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any coding expertise to
make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been doing
a little homework on this. And he in fact bought me dinner due to the fact that I found it for him…
lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this topic here on your web site.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this excellent blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about
this blog with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
you’re really a good webmaster. The site loading speed is incredible. It seems that you are doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a fantastic job on this topic!
I got this site from my friend who informed me regarding this site and now this time I am visiting this website and reading very informative posts here.
Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
It’s really very complex in this busy life to listen news on TV, so I simply use web for that purpose, and get the newest news.
I am sure this article has touched all the internet viewers, its really really pleasant piece of writing on building up new website.
I truly love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you make this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my very own website and want to know where you got this from or what the theme is called. Thanks!
Hello there, You have performed a great job. I will definitely digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.
What’s up mates, pleasant post and pleasant arguments commented here, I am in fact enjoying by these.
Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!
I’ve been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Studying this info So i’m satisfied to convey that I have an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I so much undoubtedly will make certain to don’t overlook this site and give it a glance on a continuing basis.
Hey! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when viewing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this problem. If you have any suggestions, please share. With thanks!
ivermectin 0.5 brand name – ivermectin humans ivermectin 200
Hi all, here every one is sharing such experience, so it’s good to read this blog, and I used to visit this webpage every day.
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Kudos
This is the right web site for anyone who wishes to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want toHaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic that has been written about for decades. Great stuff, just excellent!
Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is fantastic, as well as the content!
Very rapidly this website will be famous among all blogging people, due to it’s nice articles
Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
It’s very easy to find out any topic on web as compared to textbooks, as
I found this article at this website.
Here is my page – vpn special coupon
Hurrah, that’s what I was seeking for, what a stuff!
present here at this blog, thanks admin of this web page.
Take a look at my web-site – vpn special coupon
always i used to read smaller posts which also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of writing which I am reading at this place.
What i do not understood is actually how you’re not really much more well-liked than you may be right now. You’re so intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
F*ckin’ amazing issues here. I’m very glad to see your article. Thanks a lot and i am taking a look ahead to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I have not checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I?¦ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend
Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. But imagine if you added some great photos or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this blog could undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its field. Excellent blog!
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!
DentiCore is a dental and gum health formula, made with premium natural ingredients.
Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my web site thus
i got here to go back the desire?.I am trying to in finding issues to enhance my website!I assume its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Many thanks
I?¦ve recently started a site, the information you offer on this website has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
I got what you mean ,saved to my bookmarks, very nice internet site.