Europe just voted to drop criminal charges against Edward Snowden and offer him asylum

[kwassa]

Source: Independent UK

MEPs voted 285 - 281 to recognise the NSA whistleblower's status as a "human rights defender" and asked member states to grant him protection from extradition to the US, where he is wanted under several Espionage Act charges.

In the resolution that was passed, MEPs said "too little has been done to safeguard citizens' fundamental rights following revelations of electronic mass surveillance" the whistleblower alerted the world to after exposing the extent of the National Security Agency's spying programmes in 2013.

The EU Commission is also being urged to ensure that all data transfers to the US are subject to an "effective level of protection" and examine concerns over surveillance laws in several EU countries, such as reported co-operation by Germany intelligence agency BND with the NSA.

It is up to individual member states to implement the resolution.


Read more: http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/europe-just-voted-to-drop-criminal-charges-against-edward-snowden-and-offer-him-asylum--W1eMqoEsDOe?utm_source=indy&utm_medium=top5&utm_campaign=i100

[valerief]

1. woo hoo! nt

[MynameisBlarney]

2. Excellent news!

I bet he's SO ready to GTFO of Russia.

[msanthrope]

4. he can leave whenever he wishes. nt

[MynameisBlarney]

13. I'm sure

But until this, he'd have been black bagged and extradited to the US the very second he left Russia.

[msanthrope]

18. Your sentence is illogical. nt

[MynameisBlarney]

27. Ok...

Care to elaborate?
Or are you just going to leave it as is?

[msanthrope]

28. you suggest both an extra judicial and a judicial consequence in one sentence.

That doesn't make much sense.

[MynameisBlarney]

43. Yes.

Do you honestly believe that the powers that be give a damn about such things?

[msanthrope]

79. Well, I suggest that the PTB would pick one or the other. nt

[MynameisBlarney]

109. Go right ahead.

Ask Santa for a pony while you're at it.

[Fuddnik]

86. Your hatred is illogical.

[Blue_Tires]

70. How do you figure?

There are plenty of places he's been able to go from day onethat don't have extradition with the U.S.... The real issue is 1. Russia isn't going to let him leave, and 2. No other country really wants him.

[Doubledee]

80. well, a resounding maybe, anyway

From the article:

It is up to individual member states to implement the resolution.

[goldent]

84. I think he can sign up for a one year contract on his mobile phone

and not have to worry about early termination.

[msanthrope]

92. No....you miss my meaning. Mr . Snowden may leave Russia

anytime he wishes, resolution or not.

[Doubledee]

106. He surely may

and be arrested, kidnapped back to the US and wind up in Guantanamo, that is, of course, his right.

[msanthrope]

115. He has charges filed against him in federal court. He wouldn't

be held at Gitmo.

[Doubledee]

118. Certainty of opinion

is not a guarantee of fact.

[msanthrope]

3. "Europe " had "criminal charges" against Snowden?

There's so much wrong with just the headline alone but I've got to say the article itself becomes laughable......

[11cents]

10. Yeah, I just posted with the same thought.

There's actually nothing in the article itself (looks more like a blog post, really) about criminal charges.

[JDPriestly]

24. It is a resolution that advises European countries to grant Snowden asylum

and refuse to extradite him.

I don't know how binding it is on the European countries. It may be just a sort of permission allowing or encouraging European countries to ignore requests to extradite Snowden.

The big news is that it is a slap in the face to the US because on a moral level it condemns and identifies us and our surveillance programs as violators of human rights.

That is what the big deal is about: we are singled out as in violation of human rights because of our surveillance programs and our criminal characterization of Edward Snowden's revealing our surveillance programs.

It's a big deal. These are our NATO allies, our allies in terms of insuring human rights in the world.

[senz]

37. HERE are the criminal charges.

From the article:

MEPs voted 285 - 281 to recognise the NSA whistleblower's status as a "human rights defender" and asked member states to grant him protection from extradition to the US, where he is wanted under several Espionage Act charges.

The criminal charges were leveled by the US government. European countries are authorized to refuse US extradition attempts.

And no, the article is NOT laughable.

Whether you like it or not.

[Calista241]

73. There are always consequences to actions like this

Yes, they can refuse to extradite Snowden, but they will pay a price. Just wait until we have someone they want us to extradite. And does that government currently have a US Military base or receive any other kind of economic or military assistance from the US?

Governments will be risking a lot for taking a stand on this issue.

[senz]

40. Oh I see, you're picking at the headline.

Headlines are usually written by news media employees. Reports are written by reporters. The headline is clumsy, probably written by a busy, stressed employee. The report is reasonably clear and certainly informative.

You're not in the habit of attempting to destroy the credibility of news reports that displease you, are you?

[Phlem]

58. no, not that one.

Never.

[grasswire]

76. heh nt

[MADem]

98. Who knew "Europe" was a country?

And speaking of countries, which country in Europe would ignore extradition laws and harbor this guy?

There'd be an INTERPOL warrant out on this guy as soon as he hit the border.

I think some people actually believe that this 'vote of recommendation' has some sort of force of law.

[tinkerbelle]

5. So happy to see this!

Great news, thanks!!

[erronis]

6. OMG! Let's hope this is real and Mr. Snowden can reap some of the honors he deserves.

This could be a first step to actually rewarding whistle-blowers instead of prosecuting them.

It will be great fun to watch the ruckus in the USofA.

[11cents]

7. What criminal charges?

Can the EU bring criminal charges? If so, did the EU (or any of its member states) have criminal charges against Snowden?

[JDPriestly]

26. Please see my post #24.

It is merely a resolution, however, it is a slap on the hands of the US as a violator of human rights due to our surveillance programs.

This will be quite embarrassing for the US and will weaken our ability to correct human rights abuses around the world.

This has been a long time coming.

Edward Snowden served the world by letting us know just how close Big Brother is to total surveillance.

I applaud the resolution of the Europeans although of course if I were Edward Snowden, I would be very careful about trusting the resolution to protect me from the long and mighty arm of the US.

[glinda]

65. My trust would be low.

[red dog 1]

56. "What criminal charges?"

If I'm not mistaken, the only criminal charges against Edward Snowden are the ones that were brought against him by the U.S. Govt.

[erronis]

8. Next up, Julian Assange?

This has to have the 5-Eyes mafia in a tizzy.

[24601]

69. Allegations of crimes against women are different than espionage. They should never be swept under

the rug.

[erronis]

71. But getting a fair trial is still the same, right?

Seems like both those people were mainly offered dark cells because of "national" interests rather than the more common ones. Do you really believe that the interest in Assange was only because of "crimes against women"?

[24601]

74. This is Sweden, not North Korea. I absolutely believe that a fair trial is exactly what Sweden

interest and that Assange will get an exceptionally fair trial, perhaps the fairest in Sweden's history. I also believe without reservation that he's evading justice precisely because he knows he would get a fair trial and that's the very last thing he wants. Narcissists like Assange enter court voluntarily only when they calculate it's been fixed in their favor.

[lordsummerisle]

75. Sounds good if he were actually charged with anything n/t

[11cents]

11. Maybe you know the answer.

What were the criminal charges that the EU has dropped?

[closeupready]

17. Immunity from extradition on espionage grounds related to his earlier revelations.

Which means the EU's authorities will refuse US extradition requests.

But member states in the EU retain a higher degree of sovereignty than states within the US, and so while the 'federal' authority in Brussels can decide to do one thing, some member states can decide to do something else. So, France could say well, okay, Brussels won't lift a finger, but if WE get our hands on Snowden, he's going back.

[11cents]

23. Thanks.

You appear to have a better understanding of this than the author of the article.

[closeupready]

25. Very welcome.

[Duval]

32. Thanks!

[onehandle]

12. Individual countries, however, have extradition agreements with the U.S.

So for the foreseeable future, he's stuck in Russian winters.

[RichVRichV]

34. True, but countries can apply exceptions to extraditions on a case by case basis.

Particularly if the extradition is considered political in nature. This resolution, though non-binding, is an extradition exception specifically to him.


Still it's ultimately up to the countries in question. So if I was Snowden and looking to move, I'd be looking at which European countries voted unanimously in favor of the immunity and contact them directly to get assurances.

[Adrahil]

93. If that European country wants to burn relations with the U.S?... Sure....

And keep in mind that MEP's are often not reflective of the actual government of their countries.

Snowden with continue to enjoy his time in freedom loving Russia, where the givernment doesn't surveille anyone.

[randome]

14. So the EU voted to drop the AMERICAN charges against Snowden? How kind of them.

No, I agree with the others on this thread, the story makes no sense. And no one else seems to be picking it up so...
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[senz]

41. The headline is clumsily written. The report is informative.

It happens.

[JDPriestly]

48. European countries are being encouraged or permitted to ignore requests for the

extradition of Edward Snowden. They are also being encouraged or permitted to offer Edward Snowden asylum from American or other charges against him.

This is significant because asylum is granted to victims of persecution including political persecution and victims of human rights violations.

So this suggests that the European body that passed this resolution views the US as a violator of the human rights of Snowden or as having persecuted Snowden for political reasons or both.

That's a big deal. We usually think of Europe as our ally and as sharing our values. Europeans in general are critical of a number of our policies including the surveillance by our government (although Britain and Germany have worked with us on that and perhaps other countries have too) and our death penalty among other things.

[Major Hogwash]

95. Your comment doesn't make any sense . . .

. . . to those who live in an alternate universe.
Put yourself on ignore!

[840high]

15. Excellent.

[silenttigersong]

16. Great!

[jalan48]

19. Any word from the Sanders or Clinton campaigns on this?

[senz]

35. Judging by the comments here ...

Sanders, a champion of the 99%, will be happy about it.

Clinton, a champion of the 1%, will not.

[red dog 1]

46. Good question!

Bernie Sanders is on record favoring "leniency" for Edward Snowden, going back to a USA Today article from Jan. 6, 2014, and Sanders reiterated this at the Democratic Debate held 2 weeks ago:

"He did break the law, and I think there should be a penalty for that," Sanders said
"But I think what he did in educating us should be taken into consideration."

I think both Gov. O'Malley and Hillary Clinton consider Snowden to be "a traitor who should be prosecuted."

[Scuba]

20. Perhaps justice will be served, at least in Europe.

[Jack Rabbit]

21. K/R

[zentrum]

22. Great News. n/t

[George II]

29. The EU "asked member states to grant him protection from extradition to the US".

Doubtful they will.

Maybe he can sneak into the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and bunk with Assange?

[LanternWaste]

30. I'd pretend my petulance is actually relevant too, had I said as much.

"Maybe he can sneak into the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and bunk with Assange?"

I'd pretend my petulance is actually relevant too, had I said as much. However, as long as we maintain the pretense, no harm done...

[Duval]

31. Yayy!! eom

[senz]

33. Good news!

Took me a while to come round to Snowden's side, but now that I can see it, I'm certain that he knowingly sacrificed himself to break open the secrecy that keeps the American people ignorant and impotent.

He is a hero.

[jwirr]

36. Europe is a continent not a country. Can a continent offer

asylum?

[devils chaplain]

47. "Europe" is frequently used as shorthand for the EU n/t

[restorefreedom]

49. apparently they are recommending

that individual countries protect him as a whistleblower.

good news imo!

[jwirr]

51. Okay that makes more sense.

[restorefreedom]

53. :) nt

[Warren Stupidity]

82. EU has a parliament. NT.

[NorthCarolina]

38. The right decision. Glad to hear it. eom

[hifiguy]

39. Excellent!

[rhett o rick]

42. The authoritarians won't like this a bit. He dared call attention to the Emperor w/o clothing.

They can't stand that. It shakes up their carefully crafted denial bubbles. "The NSA/CIA are all powerful but they like me and will take good care of me because they know I am good."

[WillyT]

44. K & R !!!

[malthaussen]

45. That should piss off a few authoritarians

Not that it takes much to piss them off. Be interesting to see if any member nations implement the resolution. (I can hear 'em now: We Know Who Our Friends Are!)

-- Mal

[red dog 1]

50. K&R

The MEP resolution is "non-binding", so countries like the UK would still probably extradite Snowden if given the chance.

(From the OP)
"It is up to individual member states to implement the resolution."

The good news for Snowden is that he won't have to stay in Russia for the rest of his life.

I wonder which European country he will choose to live in?

[CharlotteVale]

52. Glad to hear it.

[Gman]

54. Judging by the vote

There wasnt overwhelming support for the idea. Hopefully one of the countries that voting yes will take him in. Getting him there safely is another issue

[Deuce]

55. Good...

[marym625]

57. BUT, BUT, SNOWWALD!!!!

This is great and encouraging news!

EU!

[OnyxCollie]

62. The EU is a tool of Putin.

So very _Tiresome.

[KG]

96. i see what you did there....

[TomVilmer]

59. The full resolution criticize more of US mass surveillance

The Snowden part was just one of many details in this resolution against surveillance. Many more hard words, like:

"The mass surveillance of citizens and the spying on political leaders by the US have caused serious damage to relations between the EU and the US and negatively impacted on trust in US organisations acting in the EU; this is further exacerbated by the lack of judicial and administrative remedies for redress under US law for EU citizens, particularly in cases of surveillance activities for intelligence purposes"

Such resolutions are just suggest guidelines, but gives a strong signal. See full and very formal text.

[KoKo]

108. ...! Important

[mindwalker_i]

60. This post and all the threads are maximally illustrative

The same people who support Hillary no matter what, on all issues, are the same ones whoare completely against Snowden, no matter what he did for us. From past arguments, the plain truth is they are against Snowden because he made Obama (D) look bad. These same people are for Hillary (D) - regardless of the big, red arrow pointing to the right preceding (D).

In conclusion, the issues don't matter. They support (D) as a religion. They have faith in it. Regardless what the effects of those who have the (D), they support the (D) with religious fervor. Unfortunately, just like with religion, it opens people up to abuses by the preists.

[BeanMusical]

90. I noticed that too.

And the same ones are defending any authoritarian policies tooth and nail.

[Enthusiast]

100. Same team.

[mindwalker_i]

112. In each case, they're defending the Democrat

Snowden made Obama look bad for continuing Bush's stuff. Now Hillary is The Democrat, and they have to believe in her and give their unconditional support. Unfortunately we all have to live with the abuse from the preists. Fortunately, most people here actually look at issues and make judgements based on those, rather than faith.

[Enthusiast]

99. I've observed the same thing.

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL] [URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[DaveT]

61. It was a close vote

and I would not be surprised to see a re-vote or some other gimmick to undo it.

But this is HUGE.

This is the inevitable result of the idiocy of our foreign policy since September 11, 2011. Bush and Obama have proven to the world that we are unable to win the wars we start, yet our internal politics roll along with obsessive discussions of whether Bernie Sanders is a sexist for using the word, "shouting."

Not even Bernie is attacking the $700 billion plus defense budget, or the "Bush Doctrine" -- the forgotten national security policy revolution that Obama has not revoked. No, we no longer rely on the Deterrence that won the Cold War, and we still harbor the fantasy that we can use our military "might" to prevent other countries from making trouble by picking their governments for them.

This was idiotic when Dick Cheney first proposed it in the Poppy Bush administration and it got laughed off the national stage. It was still idiotic after September 11, but idiocy became chic in those days when Irony Was Dead, Every Thing Had Changed and the frat rat bozo name Dubya became the reincarnation of Winston Churchill.


Well, 14 years later, we ain'tt the Big Dog of the world any more, even with our insane military budget. The European Union's governing body, by this razor thin vote, just told us so.


Like all dying Empires, our Imperial Court will only realize that our turn on top is over when the barbarians breach through the gates. That is still a long way off, maybe even decades before the inevitable humiliation comes -- and they probably still have enough bluff and bullshit to undo this symbolic shooting of Europe's Finger at us.


We can at least hope that the rest of the world will show us the kind of mercy that we would never think of affording to the peoples of the countries we invade with troops or bomb from the air. Whatever our long term fate, this is a milestone on the road away from American Empire.

Cheers, Europe!

[Enthusiast]

101. +1 a whole bunch!

[klook]

63. "This is not a blow against the US Government,

... but an open hand extended by friends. It is a chance to move forward."
- Edward Snowden Tweet today.

Good news! Not binding, of course, but a step in the right direction.

[ancianita]

64. He's not protected in the real sense of the word. "...up to individual member states to implement

the resolution" is not solid enough.

Even if the Eu truly means it, U.S. special ops will extract him if they're ordered to.

Sure, we'd look bad, but if a Republican administration were in place, they wouldn't care.

Snowden should stay where he is.

[sinkingfeeling]

66. Excellent. Many places for him to live a wonderful life.

[Blue_Tires]

68. You left out the part of "non-binding resolution"

So it's just a feel-good-about-ourselves vote, and it *STILL* just barely passed??

Snowden is celebrating on Twitter like this actually means something...

[99th_Monkey]

72. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! What the fuck is wrong with this nation

we are SO out of step with SO many other nations, it is a disgrace.

At times like this I'm ashamed to be an American.

Fuck the US Empire, and fuck the US security state and it's lame-ass
excuses for destroying what's left of what made our nation great at
one time, our constitution.

[grasswire]

81. well said

Snowden is on the right side of history, still.

[Enthusiast]

102. I would like to frame your response.

[99th_Monkey]

110. Thank you. nt

[mhatrw]

77. Damn socialists!

[Admiral Loinpresser]

78. KnR! n/t

[L0oniX]

83. ...thus pissing off all the right people.

[avaistheone1]

87. K&R

[RKP5637]

88. Excellent!!! n/t

[Matariki]

89. But, but... he had BOXES in his garage!

[Live and Learn]

91. Europe is so far ahead of us it is downright embarrassing. nt

[stonecutter357]

94. As long as it's not the US.

[Enthusiast]

97. K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations!

[Enthusiast]

103. How long before a right wing TV or radio asshole says,

"This just goes to show that even our allies have lost all respect for Obama."

Maybe they have already said it. In any case, it won't be long

[Helen Borg]

104. Yay!

[harun]

105. Bravo!

[Blue_Tires]

107. Well now that everyone has downed their shots, here's the chaser:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/hayesbrown/the-eu-kinda-sorta-voted-to-prevent-snowdens-extradition-but#.yjZM6Aa9M

[silenttigersong]

113. Just would like to

also give a shout out To the NSA :we know you are watching listening to us ,and the name SNOWDEN is a high priority for you so we dissenters say

[oldandhappy]

114. Petty close vote. But still, good news.

[fbc]

116. Snowden's only real hope is a Bernie presidency

Hillary Clinton will have him tortured.

[d_legendary1]

117. Europe out Americas' America again.

sigh...