In a plenary debate this afternoon on the US NSA surveillance programme affair, GUE/NGL MEPs set out positions on the issue.

Cornelia Ernst said: “Millions of citizens have been under surveillance around the clock. These practices are nothing to do with fighting terrorism. It is organised crime at the behest of governments and is a breach of fundamental rights. This affair has generated huge levels of mistrust between countries.

“The European Parliament must launch an enquiry and we call on member states to set up similar enquiries in their own parliaments. The US must face the consequences of its actions. Enough of this espionage, we need to review anti-terror laws.”

Marie-Christine Vergiat commented: “These revelations that the EU is being spied on by the US are nothing new. It is the scope and scale that is: millions of citizens, as well as European diplomats and MEPs, are being spied on with the complicity of British intelligence services.

“In light of this scandal we demand the suspension of trade negotiations with the US and that Edward Snowden is granted asylum.”

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group