14 DAY TRIAL // Edward Snowden has received yet another nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize from representatives of Sweden’s and Iceland’s Pirate Party. Chelsea Manning, the one responsible for a huge part of the documents that Wikileaks published several years ago, has also been nominated.
“We are nominating Manning and Snowden together because the courage of Manning inspired in Snowden and both of them have inspired thousands of people all over the world to speak the truth to power and demand transparency and accountability in their own societies,” reads a letter signed by members of the Pirate Party.
The joint nomination had actually been submitted before February 1, the deadline for this year’s Prizes.
The awards are given out each year on December 10 to those who have done their best to create fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies.
The lengthy letter gives arguments for both individuals that were nominated.
“Citizens, researchers and politicians need insight into these methods to be able to weigh the social consequences and the possible resulting damage to the global society. Mass surveillance erodes the fundamentals of modern democracies; making local laws to protect privacy meaningless within its global scope,” it reads, referring to Snowden.
Similarly, when it comes to Manning, the letter states that citizens worldwide owe a great debt to the Wikileaks whistleblower for shedding light on important issues, such as the overseas engagement of US troops, civilian casualties of war and rules of engagement.
This isn’t the first nomination for Edward Snowden, which means that he has strong chances to get on the short list. After all, a few years ago, President Barack Obama was not only nominated, but actually won the award, which was a controversial decision. Many feel that he shouldn’t have been awarded such recognition.