Edward Snowden: Nobel Peace Prize Nomination

Edward Snowden received a Nobel Peace Prize nomination from Swedish sociology professor Stefan Svallfors. The nomination explains that Snowden’s exposure of United States government surveillance has increased world safety.

Technically, 2013 Nobel Peace Prize nominations were due on February 1. However, late nominations are routinely held for the following year. This year, the committee received a total of 259 nominations.

As reported by Business Insider, Svallfors’ position with Umeå University grants him permission to submit a nomination. His letter, which was translated into English, explains his nomination of Edward Snowden for the Nobel Peace Prize:

“Edward Snowden has – in a heroic effort at great personal cost – revealed the existence and extent of the surveillance, the U.S. government devotes electronic communications worldwide. By putting light on this monitoring program… Edward Snowden has helped to make the world a little bit better and safer.”

He also points out that Snowden’s efforts have proven that citizens have the ability to speak out and “stand up for fundamental rights and freedoms.”

As reported by Politico.com, Snowden now joins fellow whistle blowers WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and Army Private Bradley Manning as Nobel Peace Prize nominees.

The Nobel Peace Prize began with the death of Alfred Nobel in 1896. Nobel’s will stated that a majority of his estate would be used to award several prizes. As reported by NobelPrize.org, the most notable prize was to be awarded for “the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding of peace congresses.”

The yearly award winner is chosen by a committee of five members appointed by the Norwegian Parliament.

In 1901, the first prize was awarded to Frederic Passy, who organized the first Universal Peace Congress. Other notable recipients include Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in 1988, Barack H. Obama in 2009, and The European Union in 2012.

Edward Snowden’s Nobel Peace Prize nomination is sure to be controversial as he is currently a fugitive. However, his contribution to society and personal sacrifice have been underlined with the nomination.