'Themis' of Human Rights No More than a Bandit Bully

American CIA officer Edward Snowden recently revealed in Hong Kong that, unbeknownst to the masses, Washington had collected, stored and eavesdropped on the public’s calls and scooped up text messages in large quantities. It illegally hacked network systems, including those of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Chinese government on a massive scale; its heinous modus operandi was anathema. The case not only ignited an uproar in America, but also captivated global attention. No matter how eloquent the White House’s rhetoric is, it cannot reverse the fact that the “Themis”* of human rights is no more than a bandit bully. When the public’s most basic rights to privacy and speech aren’t upheld, what’s the point in even talking about freedom of speech, human rights and democracy? Because Snowden could no longer tolerate what has been happening, he decided to have Washington, in all its embarrassment, exposed to the whole world.

Violating Human Rights Already a Fixture

America has conclusively determined that the number of terrorists it is pursuing already exceeds 1 million. The CIA now routinely uses modern technological and electronic methods for monitoring its targets. Everyone from politicians to the average Joe have no choice but to accept that they are being secretly followed. The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) is building a mega data center in Utah to store and analyze the 2 billion pieces of electronic correspondence collected daily. Not only does the CIA “grab” people’s calls, along with electronic communications from telecom and Internet companies, but it also uses GPS to track citizens’ movements, which severely violates civil rights. Even American citizens themselves no longer have a sense of personal privacy, thus highlighting the falsity of Washington’s advocacy for human rights and the verity of lawlessness in its place.

President Obama said Congress passed a law last year that grants the government powers like eavesdropping to intercept personal messages without permission, enabling telecom and Internet companies to actively cooperate with the CIA and ensure national security. The U.S. Department of Justice and the CIA even use technologies such as electronic recorders, cyber army equipment and predatory tracking devices to secretly track civil servants, CEOs of multinational companies, executives of securities firms, foreign tourists, etc. Meanwhile, the number of people monitored by “Themis” skyrockets yearly. Each and every American’s normal communications and network contacts are all stored in the mega data center in Utah for review at any time.

Bugs Also Installed on Sold Aircraft

Relevant departments of the U.S. government can indefinitely detain American citizens without charge or trial. The CIA can suspend the constitutional rights of any American citizen at will whenever the need arises. A standard answer in response to any of the media’s inquiries will always be that “‘X’ constitutes a threat to national security.” No matter how bizarre or unconvincing the reason is behind a police arrest, citizens are left with no choice but to completely oblige. Legal experts think that the legalization of civil rights violations with acts like indefinite detention, warrantless searches and citizen monitoring is a misfortune — and that it is the reason why there is more terrorism the more America tries to counter it. The increase in arresting and interrogating civilians also comes with a rise in discontent and litigation against the government, contributing to the destabilization of society.

America is militarily the world’s strongest country. Its invisible high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft conduct illegal missions in any country at will; its spy satellites snoop on foreign military bases 24/7. In using its advanced technology to help monitor communications of foreign leaders as it pleases, America poses a significant threat to global security. The 200,000-strong U.S. Internet army, monitoring every other country non-stop, can cripple and annihilate foreign satellites at any time. It can invade through cyberattacks, cut off optic cables, release viruses and mix into and shut down target networks to paralyze foreign countries. America’s eavesdropping on China stands in full disregard for global conventions and basic international norms, and how dare the country install numerous bugging devices on commercial airliners sold to China.

*Editor’s Note: Themis is a titaness from Greek mythology associated with divine order and law.