My country, Ecuador, has been subjected to howls of criticism–much of it unrelated to the case and some of it in these very pages–for simply having received an asylum application from Mr. Snowden. These critics have decided to threaten and accuse first, review the facts later.

 

Few have noted that Ecuador is required, according to both our constitution as well as international human rights conventions we have ratified, to review each and every request for asylum we receive, no matter how we feel personally about the applicant, and no matter the political or diplomatic consequences. This neutrality, consistent with international law, best serves the integrity of a system that is based on human rights considerations only.