Courtesy of Mish.
Fascinating articles in Der Spiegel this past weekend, in praise of Edward Snowden. Via translation, please consider Asylum for Snowden: “Welcome Edward!”
In the debate about a possible offer of asylum in Germany to Edward Snowden, SPIEGEL contacted numerous journalists, actors, politicians and athletes for comments regarding the whistleblower.
In addition to opposition politicians, such as the Left Party leader Gregor Gysi, Snowden gets support from an unlikely source: Former CDU General Secretary Heiner Geissler says Germany “must” grant Snowden asylum.
Geissler is sad about the deterioration of the transatlantic relationship, but “Snowden has done the Western world a great service, and now it is up to us to help him”
Even social democratic politicians demand asylum. “Snowden is a hero, not a traitor,” said Axel Schaefer, vice chairman of the SPD parliamentary group. One must closely examine “whether there is a way to offer Snowden asylum in Germany.”
Foreign and defense politician Lars Klingbeil said “Germany must consider whether it is possible to grant asylum Edward Snowden.”
Writer Ferdinand von Schirach praises Snowden in the MIRROR for the breach of its confidentiality obligations, citing a “duty for civil disobedience against the state” when required for justice.
The President of the Bundesliga, Reinhard Rauball, criticized “significant impairment of human rights” by arbitrary monitoring and praises Snowden’s selfless actions.
Moderator Oliver Welke would like to give the Americans the Order of Merit. Musicians Udo Lindenberg said: “I can certainly make clear a room for him – welcome Edward.”
Snowden had in principle agreed to officially testify in Germany – but wants the guarantee not to be transferred to the United States. The US has already submitted an extradition request for all relevant cases to the federal government.
Spiegel Mirror Cover
Issue 45/2013…
