A group critical of the EU held a vigil in Dublin last night ahead of the bloc's receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize today. Seven members of the People's Movement lit candles outside the European Commission's office to highlight what they said was a discrediting of the award.
"[Some] 32 per cent of global arms are exported from EU countries," said chairman Kevin McCorry.
"Most people's initial reaction was astonishment on hearing the prize was to go to the EU.
"But after that, 'discredit' is the word that has been used."
Militarisation
The group says the EU does not meet the criteria to be awarded the prize since it supports the militarisation of Europe through its support for the US and Nato.
Mr McCorry also cited the EU's track record in the Balkans, saying its "premature recognition" of Slovenia and Croatia "fuelled the flames of the war" in former Yugoslavia.
The group also criticised the EU's lack of action on human rights for Palestinians while allowing special trading status with Israel.
In Oslo about 1,000 people held a protest against today's ceremony. Mairead Corrigan Maguire, who received the award in 1976 for her work in Northern Ireland, attended.