The European United Left / Nordic Green Left group in the European Parliament will nominate Edward Snowden for the 2013 Sakharov Prize.

Whistleblowers cannot be treated like criminals, they must have our protection. Edward Snowden risked his life to confirm what we had long suspected regarding mass online surveillance, a major scandal of our times. He revealed details of violations of EU data protection law and fundamental rights.

The official nomination will be handed in today and presented by French GUE/NGL MEP Marie-Christine Vergiat on Monday 16th in a joint meeting of the Foreign Affairs, Development and Human rights committees.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded annually by MEPs. Parliament's Conference of Presidents will decide on the 2013 winner in October.

GUE/NGL Press:
David Lundy +32 470 85 05 09
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08