Julian Assange Honorary U.S. Citizenship and Edward Snowden Pardon Act

Liberty
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  1. Recognize Julian Assange’s Contributions to Global Press Freedom and Transparency
  • Official recognition of Assange’s role in promoting transparency, exposing government misconduct, and advocating for the protection of whistleblowers.
  • Acknowledge the lasting impact of Assange’s work in the fight for press freedom and government accountability.
  1. Grant a Full Pardon to Edward Snowden
  • Provide a full and unconditional pardon to Edward Snowden, recognizing the importance of his actions in exposing government overreach and advocating for privacy rights.
  • Acknowledge the broader public interest in addressing the issues Snowden brought to light, including the reform of surveillance programs and protection of individual privacy.
  1. Symbolic Commitment to the Values of Transparency, Civil Liberties, and Accountability
  • Signal the U.S.'s commitment to upholding democratic principles of transparency, civil rights, and government accountability.
  • Encourage further protections for whistleblowers, journalists, and individuals who expose wrongdoing in the public interest.
  1. Promote Dialogue on Press Freedom, Privacy, and Whistleblower Protection
  • Initiate a broader dialogue on the importance of press freedom, privacy rights, and the protection of individuals who challenge government overreach.
  • Highlight the need for continued reform in both the U.S. and internationally to safeguard individual rights and ensure that government power is held in check.

Key Components of the Proposal

  1. Bestow Honorary U.S. Citizenship Upon Julian Assange
  • Julian Assange would be granted honorary U.S. citizenship as a symbolic recognition of his contributions to press freedom, transparency, and government accountability.
  • This honorary citizenship would not grant legal residency or entry into the United States but would serve as an acknowledgment of his work.
  1. Grant a Full Pardon to Edward Snowden
  • Edward Snowden would be granted a full and unconditional pardon for his actions related to the 2013 disclosure of NSA surveillance programs.
  • The pardon would remove any legal consequences stemming from Snowden’s exposure of these programs, allowing him to return to the United States without fear of prosecution.
  1. Public Ceremony and Recognition
  • A public ceremony would be organized to bestow Assange’s honorary citizenship and announce the granting of Snowden’s pardon. This event would be an opportunity for speeches from government leaders, journalists, and human rights advocates to discuss the significance of these actions in advancing civil liberties and transparency.
  • The ceremony would include discussions on the importance of protecting whistleblowers, ensuring privacy rights, and fostering open, democratic societies.
  1. Continued Support for Press Freedom and Whistleblower Protection
  • Following the granting of honorary citizenship and the pardon, the U.S. would invest in continued support for the protection of journalists, whistleblowers, and individuals who expose government or corporate wrongdoing.
  • This would include the establishment of partnerships with global human rights organizations, media advocacy groups, and legal bodies to strengthen the legal framework surrounding whistleblower protections and press freedoms.

Expected Outcomes

  1. Reaffirmation of U.S. Commitment to Civil Liberties and Free Speech
  • The U.S. would publicly reaffirm its dedication to upholding the values of free speech, government accountability, and individual rights, particularly through the symbolic acts of granting Assange honorary citizenship and pardoning Snowden.
  1. Global Impact on Press Freedom and Privacy
  • The U.S.'s actions would inspire international discourse on the protection of press freedom, privacy rights, and the role of whistleblowers in upholding democratic values.
  • This would serve as an example to other nations on the importance of safeguarding individual rights and holding governments accountable.
  1. Public Dialogue on Government Overreach and Surveillance
  • The pardon of Snowden would renew conversations on the need for surveillance reform and ensure that privacy rights are considered in future legislative actions.
  • This would likely stimulate further legislative and regulatory changes aimed at limiting government overreach and protecting individual liberties.
  1. Strengthened Whistleblower Protections
  • The granting of Assange’s honorary citizenship and Snowden’s pardon would likely lead to increased legal protections for whistleblowers in the U.S. and beyond.
  • The policy could contribute to the creation of clearer and more robust frameworks to protect individuals who expose illegal or unethical behavior by governments or corporations.
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