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Non-Binding Resolution: EU States Should Protect Snowden
The New York Times reports that the European Parliament has voted to adopt "a nonbinding but nonetheless forceful resolution" urging the EU's member nations to recognize Edward Snowden as a whistleblower, rather than aid in prosecuting him on behalf of the United States government. From the article:
Whether to grant Mr. Snowden asylum remains a decision for the individual European governments, and thus far, none have done so.
Still, the resolution was the strongest statement of support seen for Mr. Snowden from the European Parliament. At the same time, the close vote — 285 to 281 — suggested the extent to which some European lawmakers are wary of alienating the United States. ...
The resolution calls on European Union members to "drop any criminal charges against Edward Snowden, grant him protection and consequently prevent extradition or rendition by third parties."
Also at Wired, USA Today and many others; Snowden himself has tweeted happily about the news.
Politicians never do something because it is the right thing to do. There must be a lot of pressure from the commoners motivating this.
Breaking news: EU Parliament grudgingly acknowledges the remaining limited sovereignty of member states.
This seems entirely contradictory to their stance on Assange.
I wonder why.
Happy to see common sense, perhaps struggling, but still win. It's long overdue for Europe to stand up to the crumbling US.
In Capitalist US, the commerce controls the Government.
Unless those member states are willing to violate their extradition treaties with the United States, the resolution is more or less meaningless.
They have better things they should be focusing on, like keeping the migrant hordes away from the borders.
Snowden is a fugitive from US justice, he must answer for the crimes he committed against the US government. This is none of the EU's business, this resolution is just a masturbatory exercise.
Snowden needs to be brought back to the US and punished.
At the same time, the close vote — 285 to 281 — suggested the extent to which some European lawmakers are wary of alienating the United States.
Or, maybe European politicians are just sharply divided over the issue. That would be easy to believe, even if it doesn't fit the narrative of the poor little EU always cowering whenever the US clears its throat.
#DeleteChrome
The EU continues to be short for "bedwetting pansies" (French translation).
Actually, if i'm reading it correctly, Assange is still currently holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy, which is South American soil. Europe has no say in it. My speculation would be that the EU does not wish to threaten their own position in 5eyes by granting asylum to Edward, thereby showing bias for someone the United States Government wants to get its hands on.
I'm old enough to remember how the EU proponents fantasized about antagonizing the US, anticipating the role of Europe as the new superpower. Those times are now long gone and the EU's role is now cemented as a vassal entity of the US. How the self-proclaimed mighty have fallen! :)
He is still a fugitive from US law, and a traitor, and subject to extradition treaties. We have them for a reason. To prevent criminals from finding shelter abroad.
Just like a strongly worded letter from the U.N.
And does the EU feel all cosy with Russia? No it does not.
Europe's been around longer than the US, and knows that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
Better to grant this guy asylum and let him live among you as a peaceful friend, AND to give yourself a huge bargaining chip next time the US intelligence trolls ask for "co-operation", than to let him mould himself into a popular hero who successfully challenged The Man thanks to the protection of Comrade Putin.
Of course America would also be stupid to think it can persuade Putin to extradite him, but the mood of Europe is easier to change. Almost a tie, you say? Let's push the pendulum the other way a little. Maybe US-friendly elements in the EU have pushed for the vote to set this chain of events in motion.
It's interesting to contrast the tone of the Snowden online discussion today, with when the story first came out in 2013. There was a seeming great hue and cry from millions of anonymous, red-blooded 'Mericans: "He's a traitor, execute him! Have the CIA kidnap him! He's a Russian spy!" Strangely the posts seemed to die down on government holidays.
Now they are completely silent. I assume their funding was cancelled?
the close vote — 285 to 281 — suggested the extent to which some European lawmakers are wary of alienating the United States.
This could be the case, but it also could be that they simply don't agree with the proposed resolution. I know Snowden is quite popular on Slashdot (and thus this possibility isn't), but the fact is that not everyone on the planet supports Snowden's decisions.
It's a trap!
It would make me feel better about my country if various states here would take it upon themselves and independently vote for an equivalent resolution. I'm not aware of any state - not even any city - which has demonstrated the independence and moral leadership to speak up for Mr Snowden. Why not? SF and various other cities have declared themselves sanctuary cities. Why has no US state or city stepped forward and declared sanctuary for a much more deserving cause?
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
FTFY.
If he had really intended to be a whistleblower, he would have collected relevant data that showed actual abuses and given it to an American journalist anonymously. Instead, he gave a huge data dump of national secrets to a foreigner, fled the country, and started shouting, "Look at me! Look at me!" He isn't a whistleblower, he's a self-aggrandizing douchebag, and anyone who supports him is an absolute moron.