Nobel Foundation Reverses Decision to Invite Russian, Belarusian, and Iranian Ambassadors to Awards Ceremony
STOCKHOLM, Sept 2 (Reuters) – In a surprising turn of events, the Nobel Foundation announced on Saturday that it would no longer extend invitations to the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus, and Iran to attend this year’s Nobel Prize awards ceremony in Stockholm. This decision comes after the foundation faced significant criticism for its earlier announcement to include the ambassadors despite their countries’ controversial actions.
Last year, the foundation omitted the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The move was seen as a strong statement against the violation of international law. However, on Thursday, the foundation reversed its stance and stated that it would invite all three ambassadors, including Iran’s, to this year’s ceremony, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity.
The foundation’s decision sparked outrage among the leaders of several Swedish political parties, with many vowing to boycott the ceremonies. It led to intense debates regarding the Nobel Prize’s values and whether it should extend its platform to individuals who do not share those same ideals.
Recognizing the backlash, the Nobel Foundation released a statement on Saturday, saying, “We recognize the strong reactions in Sweden.” In light of this, the foundation announced that it would repeat last year’s exception to regular practice and not invite the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus, and Iran to the Nobel Prize awards ceremony in Stockholm.
The announcement comes as a relief to critics who argued that honoring representatives from countries involved in controversial actions could undermine the credibility of the Nobel Prize. The foundation’s decision reaffirms the importance of upholding the prize’s values and sends a clear message that actions contrary to these principles will not be condoned.
Each year, the Nobel Prize winners are announced in early October, and five of the six prizes are awarded in Stockholm. The nomination process for the Nobel Prize remains secretive for the next 50 years. The Nobel Peace Prize, on the other hand, is awarded in Oslo, where separate festivities are held.
Reporting by Simon Johnson; Editing by Frances Kerry
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