Nobel Foundation allows Russia, Iran and Belarus back into organisation

Russia, Belarus and Iran have all been readmitted to the Nobel Foundation, after the organisation reversed its previous policy of banning them.

As well as the previously-exiled nations, the organisation will also allow Jimmie Akesson, the leader of a far-right Swedish party to rejoin, after he had also been banned.

Vidar Helgesen, the foundation’s leader, said there had been a global trend in which “dialogue between those with differing views is being reduced”.

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He added: “We are now broadening our invitations to celebrate and understand the Nobel Prize and the importance of free science, free culture and free, peaceful societies.”

The Nobel Foundation has extended an invitation to its 2023 events to all countries with diplomatic missions in Sweden and Norway, as well as parties “that have parliamentary representation via democratic elections”.

It added that “this common approach promotes opportunities to convey the important messages of the Nobel Prize to everyone, and in future this practice will be common to the entire organisation”.

Russian and Belarusian envoys were banned from attending the 2022 ceremonies and banquets, which take place annually on 10 December, due to the war in Ukraine.

Iran was also barred as a result of what the foundation called “the serious and escalating situation” in the country.

Nobel prizes are given out in Stockholm, while the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo.

Mr Akesson, the leader of the Sweden Democrats, has also been invited to the event, but he declined, writing on Facebook: “Unfortunately I’m busy that day”.

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Party leaders in Sweden are usually invited to the banquet but Mr Akesson has been snubbed in the past, with his organisation rooted in what some might consider to be far-right ideology.

His party, which opposes current immigration policies in Sweden and has been seen by some as racist, came second in last year’s general elections.

This year’s Nobel winners will be announced next month.