The Ossietzky Prize
PEN Norway awards the Ossietzky Prize annually to a person or an institution whose efforts for freedom of expression has been outstanding
The Ossietzky Prize is awarded annually to a person or institution that, over a period of time, or in connection with a particular case or event, has made a special contribution to freedom of expression. The prize winner should have a connection to Norway, personally or through the case in question.
It is not a prerequisite that the prize winner is a writer or a member of PEN Norway. Anyone can propose candidates. The PEN Norway’s board decides the prize winner. The Ossietzky Prize is usually awarded on Day of Imprisoned Writers, 15. November.
The prize is named after the German pacifist and journalist Carl von Ossietzky, who during the interwar years strongly warned against the rise of Nazism in Germany. It was Ossietzky who revealed that the German authorities were secretly carrying out military rearmament, in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. For this, the whistleblower Ossietzky was convicted of treason and later placed in a concentration camp, where he died in 1938.
Who deserves the Ossietzky Prize 2023?
Nominate your favorite candidate for this year’s Ossietzky Prize before 15 August 2023. Send your suggestions to pen@norskpen.no.
Julian Assange receives the Ossietzky Prize 2023
Access to information is a fundamental prerequisite in every democracy. Julian Assange is awarded the Ossietzky Prize for 2023 in recognition of his critical journalism and his commitment to exposing the abuse of power and war crimes.
Julian Assange has, both as a publisher and editor, been instrumental in revealing severe war crimes committed by the United States and its allies in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the unlawful imprisonment and abuse of detainees at Guantanamo.
Julian Assange’s publication of classified documents in 2010 contributed to important debates about the legitimacy and lawfulness of US military actions, Norway’s most important ally. The information provided a more accurate picture of the brutality and abuse of power, as well as gross violations of the laws of war by the United States.
Previous prize winners
2021: Frie ytrere fra Afghanistan
2018: Ahmedur Rashid Chowdury, also known as Tutul
2008: Chungdak Koren and Francis Sejersted
2007: Democratic Voice and Burma
2001: Sigmund Strømme
2000: Britt Karin Larsen
1999: Wera Sæther
1998: Ketil Lund
1997: Haakon Børde
1996: Koigi wa Wamwere
1995: Johanna Schwarz
1994: Axel Jensen
Guidelines for the Ossietzky Prize adopted by the board of Norsk PEN, 2 February 2016.
