EU Votes to Grant Asylum to Edward Snowden

[Neo]

The European Parliament Just Voted to Grant Asylum to Edward Snowden

By Adam Clark Estes on 29 Oct 2015 at 7:15PM

Well this is something. After years of pressure from activists, the European Parliament just passed a resolution urging its member states to offer protection to Edward Snowden. That would mean dropping all charges against the whistleblower and shielding him from extradition to the United States.

For Snowden, who’s been holed up in Russia for as long as anybody can remember, this is really great news. The former NSA contractor said as much on Twitter:

Hearing reports EU just voted 285-281, overcoming huge pressure, to cancel all charges against me and prevent extradition. Game-changer.
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) October 29, 2015

The extent to which the European parliament’s actions will actually help to keep Snowden out of U.S. prison, however, remains to be seen. The resolution itself is non-binding, and all of the European nations involved in passing it have extradition treaties with the U.S. However, the world will take notice, now that a (slight) majority of MEPs voted to “grant [Snowden] protection and consequently prevent extradition or rendition by third parties, in recognition of his status as whistle-blower and international human rights defender.”

Snowden’s lawyer in Berlin, Wolfgang Kaleck, called the vote “an overdue step” and implored the EU member states “to act now to implement the resolution.” The White House, however, is less than miffed.

“Our position has not changed,” said Ned Price, a spokesman for the National Security Council told The New York Times. “Mr. Snowden is accused of leaking classified information and faces felony charges here in the United States. As such, he should be returned to the U.S. as soon as possible, where he will be accorded full due process.”

Let’s be honest, though. If any of Europe’s beautiful countries do agree to take Snowden in, it’s a win for the whistleblower. After all, the weather in Sicily is much nicer than it is in Moscow.

[Wired, New York Times]
Image via Getty
The European Parliament Just Voted to Grant Asylum to Edward Snowden | Gizmodo UK

[Chittychangchang]

A Kick in the teeth for the US if it's true.

[david44]

Be easier to lift him amongst the Euro pussies

[stroller]

all of the European nations involved in passing it have extradition treaties with the U.S.

Yes, but his circumstances, specially the threat of execution, are basis for an exemption. Germany could grant him asylum, if mama Merkel stopped sucking up to 'yes-we-scan' Obummer.

Another 3600 refugees crossed the border into Germany tonight, so why not this one?

[BobR]

Be easier to lift him amongst the Euro pussies

Absolutely, He'd be on a rendition flight to Guantanamo within 20 minutes if he trusted the EU to protect him.