MOSCOW, December 15 (Sputnik) – Edward Snowden, US intelligence whistleblower, has been awarded the Carl von Ossietzky medal from the International League for Human Rights in Berlin, Deutsche Welle reported Sunday.
Apart from Snowden, the medal was awarded to Glenn Greenwald, a US journalist who reported Snowden’s revelations, and Laura Poitras, a film director of a documentary devoted to Snowden’s disclosures. Poitras accepted the award on behalf of all three winners. Snowden is currently staying in Russia.
The award winners were announced on December 14 on the International League for Human Rights website. The organization stated in a press release that “transparent democracy needs whistleblowers, and whistleblowers need human rights protection”.
According to the organization’s statement, Edward Snowden was chosen as “extraordinary and courageous whistleblower, who revealed the largest intelligence surveillance and spying program of all times, which affects nearly all citizens.”
Snowden has already received several awards for his disclosure activities. In September, the whistleblower was granted Right Livelihood Award in Sweden, which is considered an alternative Nobel Prize.
Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency contractor, disclosed surveillance practices of the US intelligence during the meeting with journalists in June 2013. The documentary called “Citizenfour”, directed by Laura Poitras, depicts Snowden’s first meeting with journalists. The film has received "Best Feature" award from the International Documentary Association and has been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award.
