As a matter of tempering discussion, international law recognizes that it is sometimes necessary and justifiable, in the name of public interest, for individuals or groups of actors to expose wrongdoings and/or secrets of states. In particular, it may be "necessary to expose and protect against serious human rights violations, including overreaching or unjustifiable surveillance" (Human Rights Watch, 2013). The United States government not only has some serious questions to answer from its citizens but also the international community. From the American people, Washington needs to explain its indiscriminate collection of data and justification for the hypothetical usefulness of the data against potential future threats (Human Rights Watch, 2013). For nations like Germany and other European countries, the U.S. government needs to come clean and explain why it has been using advanced technology to spy on America's supposed allies. All considered, much remains to be discussed and debated regarding the necessity and justifiability of Snowden's whistleblowing in the name of international law. Affirmative findings would seem to add leverage to Snowden's claims of meeting the U.N. criteria for political asylum and/or refugee status.
In conclusion, despite President Maduro's recent announcement of approval of Edward Snowden's request for refugee status and eventual political asylum, the debate continues for many analysts as to whether or not Snowden meets the United Nations criteria for such status. Nevertheless, it does appear reasonable to conclude that Edward Snowden leaked NSA data as a matter of political opinion and conscience. Even more, the hard line rhetoric and "guilty before proven innocent" stance by the Obama Administration, the Department of Justice, and the allied media raise serious questions and doubts as to whether Snowden could ever receive a fair and impartial trial in the United States. All considered, a compelling argument emerges to support the claim that Edward Snowden, the NSA whistleblower, meets the U.N. criteria for political asylum and refugee status with his legitimate and reasonable fear of persecution for his political opinion.
References
Bray, I. (2013). Asylum or refugee status: Who is eligible? NOLO Law for All. Retrieved from http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/asylum-or-refugee-status-who-32298.html
Goodwin-Gill, G.S. (2008). Convention relating to the Status of Refugees Geneva, 28 July 1951; Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees New York, 31 January 1967. United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law. Retrieved from http://untreaty.un.org/cod/avl/ha/prsr/prsr.html
Human Rights Watch. (2013, July 3). Countries Should Consider Snowden's Asylum Claim Fairly. Retrieved from http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/07/03/countries-should-consider-snowden-s-asylum-claim-fairly
Katz, A. & Rayman, N. (2013, July 2). Snowden's worst-case scenario: What if no countries take him? Time. Retrieved from http://world.time.com/2013/07/02/snowdens-worst-case-scenario-what-if-no-countries-take-him/
London, E. & Kishore, J. (2013, June 22). Edward Snowden charged with espionage. World Socialist Web Site. Retrieved from http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/06/22/snow-j22.html
Moussalli, M. (1992). Handbook on procedures and criteria for determining refugee status under the 1951 convention and the 1967 protocol relating to the status of refugees. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Retrieved from http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/refugeehandbook.pdf
Sanchez, F. & Galeano, L.M. (2013, July 6). Nicaragua, Venezuela offer asylum to Snowden. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nicaragua-venezuela-offer-asylum-snowden-19592606#.UdgOZvl_68A
YOU.S.DESK. (2013, July 2). Snowden: I am free to publish information that serves public interest. PRESS-TV. Retrieved from http://www.presstv.ir/usdetail/311796.html
UNHCR. (2007, May 18). Q & A: The world's 15 million stateless people need help. The UN Refugee Agency. Retrieved from http://www.unhcr.org/464dca3c4.html
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