Edward Snowden "owed a great deal" and deserves protection from prosecution: UN human rights chief

INTERESTING HOW  PILLAY'S  POINTS ABOUT THE  LAWS  THAT T'HE FIVE EYES '  BREAK,  IS EXCLUDED FROM THIS  NEWS REPORT 

By North America correspondent Michael Vincent

UN high commissioner for human rights Navi Pillay has suggested former NSA contractor Edward Snowden should not face prosecution for leaking top secret material.

Ms Pillay said the world "owed a great deal" to Mr Snowden for drawing attention to state snooping.

Speaking at the launch of a report on government surveillance, she said his revelations had been in the public interest.

"Those who disclose human rights violations should be protected, we need them," Ms Pillay said.

"And I see some of it here in the case of Snowden, because his revelations go to the core of what we are saying about the need for transparency, the need for consultation.

"Such whistleblowers should be protected from legal reprisals and disciplinary action when disclosing unauthorised information."

Mr Snowden remains in hiding in Moscow after fleeing the US where he faces charges of espionage and theft.

The UN's human rights chief, herself a former judge at the International Criminal Court, declined to call on US president Barack Obama to pardon Mr Snowden, despite being repeatedly pressed on the issue.

"I'm not going to say whether he should be pardoned. He's facing charges, and as a former judge I know that if he's facing judicial proceedings, we should wait for that outcome," she said.

"I'm raising some very important arguments that could be raised on his behalf so that these criminal proceedings are averted.

"If he's given a fair trial and all these points are raised about him, about the way people view his role, that would also be a good outcome."

Mr Snowden's leaks last year sparked a massive row over the huge internet and phone data sweeps conducted by US National Security Agency, including of allied nations and their leaders.

Ms Pillay said when conducted legally, surveillance of electronic communications could be an effective and necessary tool for legitimate law enforcement or intelligence purposes.

However she said the responsibility lay with states to demonstrate the necessity of surveillance and only take measures that are proportionate and comply with clear legislation.

And she insisted when governments step beyond the limits, they must be exposed.

"We do owe it to him for drawing our attention to this issue," the former South African High Court judge said.

"I think that his revelations have also encouraged national authorities to be more accountable.

"In these cases, the public interest in disclosure outweighs the public interest in non-disclosure."

Mr Snowden fled to Russia after he leaked details of the secret state surveillance programs.

Moscow is reportedly likely to extend his temporary asylum permit when it runs out at the end of July.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-17/snowden-deserves-protection-from-prosecution3a-un-rights-chief/5603236