The price for Snowden politically sensitive? – Swedish Radio

The price for Snowden politically sensitive? – Swedish Radio

Who Gets the Right Livelihood Awards have been announced at the MFA since almost 20 years. But not this year.

Press Room at the State Department tends to be the place where the award winners are announced. When the foundation contacted for this year’s press conference, however, was the news differently.

– We took an early contact with the Foreign Ministry for we realize so clearly that it could be seen as politically sensitive, said Ole von Uexkull, director of the Right Livelihood Award Foundation.

– Then they took a general decision yesterday not to grant the press room because of increased safety. There, one can imagine how it fits together.

Do you think it has to do with Edward Snowden is one of the winners?

– Yes , absolutely.

Swedish Radio has

sought the Foreign Ministry, referring to Carl Bildt, without result. But according to SVT rejects Bildt he personally ported Right Livelihood from Accreditation. He thinks it is important to highlight that this is an independent organization. Someone commented on the fact that right Edward Snowden, one of this year’s winners would not give Bildt.

Patrik Holmström
patrik.holmstrom@sverigesradio.se

Evalisa Wallin
eva lisa.wallin@sverigesradio.se