There was a lot of discussion on this matter in Germany and other European countries, back when he left Hong Kong and got stuck at the airport in Moscow. But nothing came out of it really. Despite many EU countries having laws that would have allowed granting him asylum, there was too much pressure due to the fear of U.S. retaliation if any country decided to go ahead with that move.
- the sitting US President is an unpopular one, picking a fight with him is not particularly unpalatable in Europe at the moment;
- this directive, once translated into national law (which, admittedly, could take some time), will probably grant Snowden explicit protection from extradition in some countries (many extradition treaties require equivalent crimes te be present into local legislation);
- the HK families of refugees who helped Snowden back then, have recently been accepted into Canada to protect them. This is a signal that the taboo is somewhat broken.
- the EU parliamentary campaign has just gone into full swing. It's the perfect time for grand gestures, particularly from governments that feel under assault by populist forces.
" this directive, once translated into national law (which, admittedly, could take some time), will probably grant Snowden explicit protection from extradition in some countries "
There's nothing to indicate this would happen.
"the EU parliamentary campaign has just gone into full swing. It's the perfect time for grand gestures, particularly from governments that feel under assault by populist forces."
So the EU is going to make a 'grand gesture' by poking the entity that provides it's security in the eye? For what reason? An intervention into US domestic affairs?
Trump could feasibly respond by pulling US forces out of parts of Europe under threat by the Russians, i.e. the Baltic states which Putin has been trying to drag back under Russia's thumb in the same way they did Crimea, only to be thwarted by a solid NATO response coordinated and backed by the Americans.
And of course the fact there's a trade war brewing for which the Americans have a little bit of an upper hand with a major trade deficit.
It would be a huge mistake for Europe to unnecessarily provoke Trump at this point.
Most extradition treaties require extradatable crimes to have an equivalent in local law. This directive, once adopted nationally, would explicitly ensure Snowden's actions are not crimes, hence effectively shielding him.
> So the EU is going to make
When it comes to foreign policy, there is no "the EU". There are 27 (+1) states with different aims and priorities. See for example the current crisis in Lybia with France effectively supporting one (murderous) side over the other (slightly less murderous) side that most EU countries still support.
> An intervention into US domestic affairs?
Snowden's actions were clearly global in nature.
> Trump could feasibly respond by pulling US forces out of parts of Europe
Which may or may not have anything to do with the country that accepted Snowden. Trump could also launch thermonuclear war, on that line of thought. Please don't go hyperbolic, there is no need.
> of course the fact there's a trade war brewing
"Brewing"? I don't think we are living in the same universe. The Orange One has waged war from the minute he got in office.
> It would be a huge mistake for Europe to unnecessarily provoke Trump at this point.
As I said, there is no "Europe" as such, on these matters. But I understand it's difficult to appreciate from that side of the pond.
"Snowden's actions were clearly global in nature."
No, they were not. The legal consequences of his actions have nothing to do with Europe.
"Trump could also launch thermonuclear war, on that line of thought. Please don't go hyperbolic"
??? Your words are hyperbolic, not mine.
Trump and the Americans should and well remove their military protection of the EU - the current state of affairs whereby Europe has an external party pay for their security is 'hyperbolic' and untenable. Hypocritical, actually.
This is a realty that clouds all discussions.
"As I said, there is no "Europe" as such" - yes there is. Trade negotiations are done at the EU level. The 'trade war' is between US and EU, not between US and France/Germany. Tariffs are applied to them equally.
Finally: Snowden is not a whistleblower. Some of his actions are tantamount to whistleblowing, the rest are tantamount to high treason. Snowden released a lot of information on how the US spies on foreign adversaries, such as Russia, which has nothing to do with 'whistleblowing'. His whistleblowing activities can be pardoned, but he'd be in jail for the rest of his life, or executed for treason.
“Rule of Law” also means following the extradition treaties you signed. And contrary to HN, countries such as the UK simply believe that the rule of law is also somewhat intact in the US, and that therefore claims of political prosecution are somewhat frivolous.
Ah, yes, the extradition treaty that allows the US to request the UK to remove a refugee from an embassy to be sent to the country from which he was granted refugee status for.
I forgot that one.
Or maybe it has to do with the IMF granting a huge loan package to Ecuador just before they removed his refugee status.
But nah, it isn't that, it's probably because the US improved on human rights violations in the time he was given refugee status until today. That would make sense at least as an argument, even if it ignores the reality as reported by amnesty international.
Or do you mean that the US doesn't violate human rights and therefore no one could ever get a refugee status from US corruption?
Ah, so then the extradition treaty that allows the US to request the UK to remove an Australian citizen from the Ecuadorian embassy so that Asange can be sent to the US, which is the country Ecuador gave him refuge against.
Yeah, that treaty. We who don't see this as lawful are just silly gooses, the gov said it is fine. It must be.
I forgot the treaty where powerful countries get to pressure small countries into giving up refugees.
a reason why exactly asylum seekers remain vulnerable is that they are effective bargaining chips. this makes them toxic for an "ally" and would undo years of foreign policy & soft power. I wish Germany would do provide Snowden with asylum but I can't see it happening considering what Germany has invested in the US.
the case Assange, and Moreno show what happens if only the internal politics of the host country swing in favor of the ally.
imo Snowden is safest in Russia which is unlikely to be an US ally any time soon.
"> The Nine Eyes Alliance refers to the same group plus Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Norway. The 14 Eyes Alliance adds Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden."
Merkel would probably like to play "anti-Trump pretend-hero" now and protect Snowden, if the situation were to happen now, with Trump as US president.
However, back then, like everyone else, Merkel was bewitched by Obama's silver tongue - despite him literally spying on her at the same time, but that only ended-up with her having to feign outrage at the discovery.
In Germany the explanation was that under international law he could only apply for asylum if he was actually in the country. Meanwhile nobody wanted to contractually guarantee him asylum would be granted because it was seen as interfering in the division of powers (and might be overturned by the constitutional court).
Hmm, is that true for any EU nation? I'm almost sure it's not true for the Czech Republic. At least our politicians are using it as an argument nearly every day and no one had yet made that point.
Possibly but you made the initial affirmative statement of 2% of GDP. You should be able to source that and get the answer to your question about Czech.
The cost benefit ratio would be off. Offering asylum to Ed Snowden would allow them to virtue signal, but that would be the extent of benefits. The costs including pissing off the US who could make life miserable for them.
My mind went immediately to Ed Snowden. It would be nice if an European country decided to use this directive as political cover to grant him asylum.