Documentation of Snowden's letter: „Speaking the Truth is not a Crime“

„My government [...] seeks to criminalize political speech“, whistleblower Edward Snowden writes in a letter to Germany.

Edward Snowden in Russia, where he has been granted temporary asylum. Bild: dpa

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 Defence 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 faced 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 accordane 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 increasinlgy 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

[signed ]Edward Snowden

31 October 2013

witnessed by Hans-Christian Ströbele (Member of the Bundestag)

A scan of the original letter may be found on Hans-Christian Ströbele's website.

Comments

[Dr. rer. nat. Harald Wenk]

mr.. snowdden is clear about that the abuse of public trust ist to be corrected by publication. as wehave a time if very much politcal changes in the world, e .r. naer and middle east, the role of secret services or agencies and ther "morals" of public politics are very importanrt, as in general, governments betray the people, especuially because of justifications of military operations and violence and the fightagainst poolitical parties which chanllenge the political opower of the goverment or associated to govrment partiesand lonbbies, interst groups. criminalöization of politiciansand intellectuals isa sur meab of repessive ppolitics. the fascistds regime of franco wass establishesd in such way untikl his death!!! so, repessive, antidemocrativc polituical regimes and practices are much more effficent and stable than the democrastic ones. this is a crtic asnd a great warnuing, what us expressd rightly by mr. snowden too.