Edward Snowden received the Right Livelihood prize in the Swedish parliament in absentia. The awards founder Jakob von Uexkull said: "Snowden was prevented from participating because of the risk it involves for him to leave Russia at the moment."

The former CIA analyst is now in Russia on asylum and faces arrest in the US on charges of espionage and for exposing telephone and data collection programs used by the National Security Agency (NSA). If found guilty, he faces up to 30 years imprisonment.

The whistleblower received a standing ovation from the delegates as he addressed the gathering through a video link. The Right Livelihood award, also known as the "alternative Nobel," recognized the "work of so many people," Snowden said.

In his speech on Monday, the former CIA employee acknowledged that journalists, publishers and activists were among those who had put themselves in danger and could not go home because they feared arrest, just like he did.

"These are things that are unlikely to change soon. But they're worth itAll the prices we paid, all the sacrifices we made, I believe we'd do it again," Snowden said, calling upon the United Nations to propose new measures that would help secure the rights of individuals and the rights of all human beings.

Snowden was named an honorary award-winner alongside Alan Rusbridger, editor of the British newspaper, Guardian, which published several reports based on documents leaked by the CIA analyst. As honorary winners, Snowden and Rusbridge did not receive any prize money.

Three other prominent activists were awarded with nearly 70,000 dollars for their contributions to society. These included Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir, Basil Fernando of the Asian Human Rights Commission and US environmentalist Bill McKibben.

Coincidentally, Glenn Greenwald, who played an important role in getting Snowden's documents published, was honored with the Geschwister Scholl prize in Germany for his book "No place to hide." The bestseller documents Greenwald's meetings with Snowden and the global consequences of the US' surveillance program.

mg/sb (dpa, AP)

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Snowden calls on UN to protect privacy and human rights

HELSINKI: Edward Snowden, co-winner of the Right Livelihood Award, has called on the United Nations to propose new measures to protect individual privacy and human rights.

The prize, also known as the ``alternative Nobel,'' recognizes ``the work of so many people ... not just over recent years'' but over decades, the former NSA systems analyst told the award ceremony Monday in Swedish Parliament by video link.

``I hope despite all we have accomplished in the last year, we all recognize that this is only the beginning,'' Snowden said, adding that he could only accept the award collectively.

Snowden, who remains exiled in Russia after leaking NSA documents to journalists in 2013 and faces charges in the US that could land him in prison for up to 30 years, said he has no regrets about his actions.

He said journalists, publishers and activists were among those who had put ``so much on the line'' and many couldn't go home because they feared arrest, including himself who has been in exile for 18 months.

``These are things that are unlikely to change soon. But they're worth it,'' he said. ``All the prices we paid, all the sacrifices we made, I believe we'd do it again.''

``There is so much more to do ... and together we will achieve it,'' Snowden said, receiving a standing ovation.

Snowden split the honorary portion of the award with Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian, which has published a series of articles on government surveillance based on documents leaked by Snowden.

The 1.5 million kronor ($210,000) cash portion of the award _ was shared by Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir, Basil Fernando of the Asian Human Rights Commission and US environmentalist Bill McKibben.

The Right Livelihood Award foundation typically honors grass-roots activists.

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Edward Snowden calls on UN to protect privacy, rights

Edward Snowden. Photo: The Guardian/TT

US whistleblower Edward Snowden has been awarded The Right Livelihood Award, commonly known as the Alternative Nobel Prize in Stockholm. The ceremony began after a top Green Party politician said the American should be granted asylum in Sweden, sparking a global debate.

"Edward Snowden has provided a huge service to the citizens of this planet," said Jakob von Uexkll, who announced the award.

"Mr. Snowden, your Right Livelihood Award is waiting for you! We trust that Sweden will make it possible for you to collect your award here in Stockholm in person!" he added.

Snowden has been holed up in Russia since June 2013, after he leaked top secret NSA documents to journalists. He faces up to three decades in prison.

"Edward Snowdens actions have led to an intense global debate on appropriate limits of government surveillance and a reaffirmation of the right to privacy in the digital age. In many countries, laws are now being proposed to restrain mass surveillance, and companies look into implementing new technologies and routines to better protect their customers data," saud Uexkll on behalf of the Right Livelihood Award's committee.

Snowden gave his reaction to the award in a video as well as a written statement.

The whistleblower said he recognised the importance of the Right Livelihood Award as "a vindication for everyone who came before to raise awareness to issues" of privacy and mass surveillance.

The Right Livelihood Award honours those who work to improve the lives of others and is traditionally handed out at Stockholm's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

When Snowden was announced as this year's winner the Swedish foreign ministrysaid it was banningthe civil rights group from making the announcement at their department in the capital.

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Snowden awarded 'Alternative Nobel Prize'

Edward Snowden. Photo: TT

As Edward Snowden was officially awarded his alternative Nobel prize on Monday, the world was reacting to calls for him to be given asylum in Sweden, made by a top MP in the country. The Local has rounded-up some of the key and most controversial comments.

A leading American academic who is based in Sweden has told The Local that Snowden should be granted asylum, saying he'd be welcomed with 'open arms' if he was a whistleblower from China or Iran.

Christian Christensen, Professor of Journalism at Stockholm Univeristy, was reacting to the proposal by Green Party MP Valter Mutt that Snowden should be offered a lifeline in Sweden.

"Speaking as an American citizen who has been living in Sweden for a long time then personally I think it is a good idea.

"If Snowden was a Chinese or Iranian whistleblower then he would have been welcomed to Sweden with open arms already. The reason why he hasn't been is because he's American and Sweden doesn't want to harm its relationship with the US," Christensen told The Local.

The American is currently holed up in Russia and has had his US passport revoked. Snowden has been awarded an alternative Nobel Prize known as the Swedish Right Livelihood Award but is unable to attend Monday's ceremony at the Swedish parliament in person.

Among the secrets revealed by Snowden were that Sweden signed a secret intelligence treaty with the US to spy on other countries in 1954 and that it routinely spies on Russia civil targets.

Swedish politician Valter Mutt said that Snowden was a 'hero' and compared him to Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. He also said the official government plane could be used to fetch him from Russia and would be taking the matter up with the foreign ministerMargot Wallstrm

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Should Snowden get asylum in Sweden?