(Brussels, Belgium) – Earlier today, the European Parliament heard from Government Accountability Project (GAP) National Security & Human Rights Director Jesselyn Radack as part of its ongoing investigation into spying efforts by the United States and EU countries. Radack read from two prepared statements, the first her own as a whistleblower and prominent whistleblower attorney representing several National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblowers. The second was a brief prepared statement from former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden.

The two statements were made before the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice & Home Affairs. In her own statement, Radack described the US surveillance apparatus as “exorbitant, expansive and often ineffective,” calling on the Committee to consider strengthening EU whistleblower protection laws, as well as the laws protecting individual privacy and the rights of publishers.

The statement from Edward Snowden described the issue of mass surveillance as among “the greatest human rights challenges of our time.” Calling for a “full, informed, and fearless debate,” Snowden also makes the argument that creativity and the creative output integral to developed nations is the product of privacy.

Snowden also calls for the EU to consider improved channels for whistleblowers – channels he describes to be aimed at “people of conscience to inform not only trusted agents of government, but independent representatives of the public outside of government.”

“Mr. Snowden was, and continues to be, a whistleblower,” stated GAP Executive and International Director Beatrice Edwards. “Even as an asylee, he is part of the debate we are now all engaged in.”

The Government Accountability Project champions government and corporate accountability and transparency by advancing occupational free speech, defending whistleblowers, and empowering citizen activists. Since its founding in 1977, GAP has fought to make large bureaucratic institutions accountable through the effective exercise of conscience.

Contact: Douglas Kim, GAP External Relations Officer
Phone: 917.907.4394
Email: [email protected]

Government Accountability Project
The Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, GAP’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, GAP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

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