UN warns against NSA spying on diplomats

Obama administration asked to respect inviolability of diplomats after reports

Published August 27, 2013 1:24PM (EDT)

Revelations about the NSA's surveillance programs have shown that, in abrogation of Fourth Amendment protections, U.S. citizens have been swept up and targeted in the government's vast dragnet.

It was revealed too that NSA spycraft had been used to surveil foreign diplomats stationed in the U.S. The U.N. has now called on the administration to respect the inviolability of these diplomats.

German newsmagazine Der Spiegel reported over the weekend that the NSA had infiltrated the U.N. videoconferencing network to eavesdrop on diplomatic missions.
Via the Los Angeles Times:

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other officials are “aware of the reports and intend to be in touch with the relevant authorities,” spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters at the daily news briefing at U.N. headquarters.
The United States, as host country for the United Nations and its member delegations, is obliged by “well-established international law” to respect the privacy and sovereignty of national and multinational missions, Haq said.
“Member states are expected to act accordingly to protect the inviolability of diplomatic missions,” Haq said.


By Natasha Lennard

Natasha Lennard is an assistant news editor at Salon, covering non-electoral politics, general news and rabble-rousing. Follow her on Twitter @natashalennard, email nlennard@salon.com.

MORE FROM Natasha Lennard


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Diplomacy Edward Snowden Nsa Spying Surveillance U.n.