Former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden was nominated for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize by a Norwegian member of parliament on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Arguing that Snowden's release of classified documents made the world a safer place, Baard Vegar Solhjell chose him for the prestigious honor.
Solhjell, a former education and environment minister for the Socialist Left party, said Snowden's revelations deepened the public's understanding of the extent to which states spy on their own citizens, Reuters reported.
"There is no doubt that the actions of Edward Snowden may have damaged the security interests of several nations in the short term," Solhjell and fellow MP Snorre Valen said in a joint statement. "We are, however, convinced that the public debate and changes in policy that have followed in the wake of Snowden's whistle blowing has contributed to a more peaceful, stable and peaceful world order."
"His actions have in effect led to the reintroduction of trust and transparency as a leading principle in global security policies," they said.
After disclosing U.S. government secrets on surveillance programs and other activities, Snowden has been living in temporary asylum in Russia, Reuters reported.
Fleeing last year first to Hong Kong and then to Russia, Snowden now faces criminal charges in the United States.
According to Reuters, candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize can be nominated by thousands of people around the world. A member of any national assembly is eligible to do that as well.
Last year, there were 259 nominees competing for the prize, which was eventually won by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons due to its efforts to eliminate Syria's chemical arsenal, Reuters reported.
Nominations for the 2014 prize will be collected by the Norwegian Nobel Committee up to February 1.
On March 4, the list will be finalized when the committee holds its first meeting of the year and members submit their own nominations. The winner will be announced on October 10, Reuters reported.
