Reuters: Tis the season to protest and not passively purchase.
It may not be news to many that the winner of the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize was the European Union.
What is news is the continuing protests to that award.
The ceremony to accept the prize took place in Norway on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
But by many critics and Peace Prize laureates are not staying silent. They say the “peace” prize should not be awarded to an organization, which “relies on military force to ensure security.”
What is the prize exactly? $1.2 million.
The Nobel Peace Prize committee (which consists of five members) nominated three female activists last year with much praise, but has had a series of gaffes prior to this year.
CNN says it’s not a coincidence that this is occurring during major European protest over their financial crisis. Especially when you consider the other groups nominated who resisted government forces in Russia, Cuba, and Tunisia.
We want to remind all Europeans about what we have achieved on this continent and that we should not let it start disintegrating again and getting nationalism and extremism (to) grow on this continent, because we know what that leads to,
Jagland said, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and a high European Council official.
Others view the history differently
While there have never been wars inside EU territory, the confederation has not been able to prevent European wars outside its borders. When the deadly Balkans wars erupted in the 1990s, the EU was unable by itself to stop them. It was only with the help of the United States and after over 100,000 lives were lost in Bosnia was peace eventually restored there, and several years later, to Kosovo.
Many government leaders such as Germany’s Angela Merkel support this win. Many citizens disagree, particularly those from Italy and Greece
How can you award a prize to someone that has pushed my country and the whole of southern Europe back to the Middle Ages?
says Dimitris Kodelas, a member of the Greek Parliament for the left-wing opposition group Syriza
On a positive note, if this year’s prize is not returned (at least the dollars), new nominations are being accepted for next year’s award. Hundreds were sent in last year.
There is a huge petition for Malala Yousafzai to win in 2013. Here’s one of several. She braved a gunshot from the Taliban in expressing her support for women’s education in her country. Nominations close in February.
Who would be your choice for the Nobel peace prize?
