Pardon John Kiriakou and Restore His Rights and Pension!
- by: Susan V
- recipient: President Obama
Former CIA Agent John Kiriakou is an American hero who spent time in prison because he exposed the truth about US Government-endorsed torture. But no one in the CIA torture program has served time.
Reports show that even though he pleaded guilty to outing a CIA covert agent, he accepted the plea agreement only after being relentlessly harassed by the U.S. Department of Justice and following 10 months of fighting trumped up charges carrying the equivalent of life in prison.
Whether or not Kiriakou did anything morally wrong in revealing the names of agents whom reports say had retired and had already been leaked to the press is still unclear, but Kiriakou himself insists his imprisonment had nothing to do with that issue - it’s was all about retaliation for whistleblowing.
In the end, the offense that Kiriakou served time for caused no harm and the information was never released by the press, and yet he has still not been properly honored for what he clearly did right - holding government agents accountable for the horrendous wrongs they committed against foreign prisoners, some of whom were innocent of any crime, and the resulting harm done to the safety of Americans.
For his attempt to right these wrongs, Kiriakou deserves a pardon and an expression of gratitude from President Obama. Americans need to know that whistleblowers can come forward with vital information to our security and human rights without suffering retaliation. We request that the president acknowledge Kiriakou as an American Hero and grant a full pardon of the charges against him.
We, the undersigned, say that the DOJ’s harassment of this American hero should be of grave concern to our president and all Americans.
Unless all whistleblowers can feel safe in coming forward with honest information that will improve the safety of our citizens and honor our promises to the rest of the world, then the safety of us all will be in jeopardy.
It seems clear to many who understand all the details of Kiriakou’s case, that his imprisonment was exactly about what Kiriakous says it is - it’s about retaliation for his exposure of something top officials in this country did not want exposed and had repeatedly misrepresented to the American people, whom they are supposed to be serving and leading - not lying to.
America cannot present itself as a leader and defender of human rights, and at the same time, in any way or for any reason, engage in activities that so egregiously violate human rights and basic human decency at the same time.
The evidence shows that torturing alleged enemies does not make America safer, but it does create hatred and acts of retaliation against this country.
According to Truthdig, “Every week,” its “editorial staff selects a Truthdigger of the Week, a group or person worthy of recognition for speaking truth to power, breaking the story or blowing the whistle.” This week Truthdig chose Kiriakou.
Truthdig adds that although “John Kiriakou spent 23 months in federal prison after he spoke out about torture…no one involved in the CIA torture program has been brought to justice.”
We applaud Kiriakou for coming forward and we don’t wish the example of his continued mistreatment to be one that will discourage other heroic deeds that could help our country evolve and stay safe. We implore President Obama to recognize Kiriakou’s heroism and grant him a full pardon of the charges for which he served time.
Thanks for your consideration.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/truthdigger_of_the_week_whistleblower_john_kiriakou_20150530
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