European Parliament Calls for ‘Dropping Charges’ Against Snowden

Alwaght | News & Analysis Website

Alwaght- The European Parliament on Thursday voted to ask EU member states to grant protection to Edward Snowden, as a "human rights defender".
This resolution, approved by 342 votes to 274, with 29 abstentions, takes stock of the (lack of) action taken by the European Commission, other EU institutions and member states on the recommendations set out by Parliament in its resolution of 12 March 2014 on the electronic mass surveillance of EU citizens, drawn up in the wake of Edward Snowden’s revelations.
By 285 votes to 281, MEPs decided to call on EU member states to "drop any criminal charges against Edward Snowden, grant him protection and consequently prevent extradition or rendition by third parties, in recognition of his status as whistle-blower and international human rights defender".
Snowden described the EU parliament vote as a 'game changer' adding that it is not only a blow to the US Government , but an open hand extended by friends. Anatoly Kicherena, Snowden's lawyer in Russia said the vote by the EU parliament is recognition of Snowden's merits to mankind, his courage and honesty of his position.
Snowden began leaking classified intelligence documents after leaving his job at an NSA facility and going to Hong Kong in 2013. He revealed that the NSA had been collecting the phone records of millions of Americans and foreign nationals as well as political leaders around the world.
On June 23, 2013, Snowden flew to the Russian capital in an attempt to seek asylum in the European country two days after the US Department of Justice accused him of violating the country’s Espionage Act. Moscow granted him a three-year residence permit starting from August 1, 2014.
Data transfers to the US
Meanwhile Members of European Parliament welcomed the 6 October ruling by the EU Court of Justice (ECJ) in the Schrems case, which invalidated the Commission's decision on the Safe Harbour scheme for data transfers to the US. “This ruling has confirmed the long-standing position of Parliament regarding the lack of an adequate level of protection under this instrument”, they said.
Concerns over surveillance laws in several EU countries.
The European Parliament also expressed concern about "recent laws in some member states that extend surveillance capabilities of intelligence bodies", including in France, the UK and the Netherlands. It is also worried by revelations of mass surveillance of telecommunications and internet traffic inside the EU by the German foreign intelligence agency BND in cooperation with the US National Security Agency (NSA).

Alwaght | News & Analysis Website

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