Jagland: International spy laws necessary after Snowden leaks

OSLO, Norway, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The head of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee said he is calling for international spy laws that would protect people's privacy.

Thorbjorn Jagland said he is making the request as a result of former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden's leaks concerning NSA global surveillance programs, The Local.no reported.

"Most countries have national laws that protect their own citizens, but are nevertheless permitted to freely spy or eavesdrop on citizens of other countries," Jagland said.

Jagland, the former prime minister of Norway and the current head of the Council of Europe, said international laws are necessary due to new technologies that are expanding the scope of surveillance.