General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: General Correction: Snowden did not choose to be in Russia. [View all]pnwmom
(108,977 posts)country decided to give him refuge. The US couldn't stop him from traveling without a passport.
http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1279119/snowden-does-not-need-passport-travel-says-refugee-expert
Edward Snowden can leave Russia for Venezuela with the support of the two nations despite not having a travel document, according to a refugee expert.
Gerry Simpson, a senior refugee researcher with Human Rights Watch, said this as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, after receiving an asylum request from Snowden, urged him to decide if he wanted to fly to Caracas.
"The Russian and Venezuelan authorities have the power to allow Snowden to leave Russia and enter Venezuela without any form of travel document," Simpson said.
Once Snowden arrives in a country that has signed the 1951 Refugee Convention - like Venezuela - and claims asylum, the authorities there cannot penalise him
SNIP