Brazil denies asylum to Snowden

Criado em 09/07/13 17h20 e atualizado em 10/07/13 08h22
Por Renata Giraldi Edição:Carolina Pimentel / Lícia Marques Fonte:Agência Brasil

Brasília – The Brazilian Foreign Minister, Antonio Patriota, has denied political asylum to whistleblower Edward Snowden, a former US intelligence agent who leaked information on a program set up by the American government to monitor data from e-mail and telephone communications. “We will not respond to Snowden's application for asylum,” Patriota said [declining to answer means a denial].

As there are suspicions that data sent and received by Brazilian citizens may have been subject to surveillance as part of the US spy program, Patriota declared that the Brazilian government has demanded clarification from Washington: “We are waiting for a formal reply from the United States,” he said.

The Brazilian government is planning to appeal to the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) for the establishment of a clearly defined policy governing how countries protect privacy in communications while respecting other countries' sovereignty. Additionally, the government will seek assistance from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to enhance multilateral policies dealing with telecommunications security.

On Tuesday (July 9), Patriota met with fellow cabinet members José Eduardo Cardozo (Justice), Paulo Bernardo (Communications), Celso Amorim (Defense) and the head of the Office of Institutional Security, José Elito Siqueira. They decided to create a work group to investigate further into espionage concerns and come up with an action plan.

Edition: Carolina Pimentel / Lícia Marques
Translation: Mayra Borges / Allen Bennett