Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the American Union for Civil Liberties (ACLU) launched, on Wednesday (14), an international petition asking President Barack Obama to grant pardon to former agent intelligence Edward Snowden, a refugee in Russia.
The main objective of the campaign that begins in the last months of Obama's term is that "the president reflects on the brand that will leave in history" and to "make tough decisions."
A petition in pardonsnowden.org has been signed by well-known lawyers and personalities as the writer Joyce Oates and actor Martin Sheen.
"We will launch a wide signature campaign around the world to get personalities and top-tier organizations join to our request to President Obama to grant pardon," said Snowden's lawyer, Ben Wizner, a member of the ACLU, the magazine Vice Motherboard.
AFP contacted Amnesty International in London, which did not comment on the information.
This initiative aims to harness the premiere of a film director Oliver Stone about Snowden, 33, who is three refugee in Russia. Former analyst fears being arrested in his country for having leaked thousands of documents brought to light the US global surveillance system.
The chances of a reprieve to Snowden seem unlikely. Former adviser to the National Security Agency (NSA in English) can be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison in the United States for espionage.
Edward Snowden "should return to the United States to be tried by his peers and not hide behind an authoritarian regime. For now, running away from the consequences of their actions," said Lisa Monaco, Obama adviser.
The executive director of the ACLU, Anthony Romero, said today (14) to be convinced that the government can change position with the reaction of public opinion and the mass signature of the petition promoted by these NGOs.
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