Brazil and Germany introduced a United Nations resolution to curb unfettered electronic surveillance. According to Edward Snowden’s leaks, both countries have been targeted by U.S. spying, including surveillance of their leaders. Brazil’s ambassador the United Nations spoke before a U.N. General Assembly committee that deals with human rights.

Antonio de Aguiar Patriota: “As President Dilma Rousseff stated as she opened this year’s general debate, we are facing a situation of grave violations of human rights and civil liberties as a result of mass surveillance of personal communications and collection of data. She made clear that in the absence of the right to privacy, there can be no true freedom of opinion and expression and no effective democracy. Surely, all of those in Brazil and Latin America who fought against authoritarianism and censorship are keenly aware of this reality.”