mobanmarketOngoing revelations regarding the vastness of the U.S. and U.K.’s international surveillance apparatus, made public by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, are cause for grave international concern says a United Nations special adviser who announced Monday the launch of a special investigation by the world body.
Announced in a Guardian editorial, UN special rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights Ben Emerson said he will be launching a full investigation into the surveillance powers of both the NSA and GCHQ, assessing issues of privacy and national security he says are at the “apex of public interest concerns,” to determine whether or not they surpass international law.
Emerson writes:
In his Guardian piece, Emerson defends the role of the news organization—who many in politics and conservative media have attacked for their complicity in “aiding” terrorists—in the release of the leaks. He writes:
Emerson adds that he will be seeking a “detailed explanation” from leaders of the spy organizations regarding claims that the leaks have threatened national security saying, “When it comes to assessing the balance that must be struck between maintaining secrecy and exposing information in the public interest there are often borderline cases. This isn’t one of them.”
He goes on to cite the many ways that the disclosures have already prompted political intervention with promises to review the many abuses of the countries’ intelligence programs including new guidelines on internet privacy, which were recently adopted by the UN general assembly.
Emerson continues:
Following his inquiry, Emerson says he will make a series of recommendations to the UN general assembly next year.
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