Award: Epstein Links - Former Diplomat Should Return Civic Prize

A German foundation is calling for the return of a civic award bestowed more than 30 years ago upon a former Norwegian diplomat, Terje Rød-Larsen. The society "Gesellschaft der Freunde und Förderer" cited his known connections to the convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as the reason for the demand.

Rød-Larsen, a former Norwegian diplomat and a key figure in the 1993 Oslo Accords peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, received the Kassel Civic Award "Glas der Vernunft" (Glass of Reason) in 1994. The society stated that Rød-Larsen should refrain from identifying himself as a recipient of the award in the future.

The decision follows the release of documents in 2026 detailing Epstein's case and Rød-Larsen's links to him. The foundation emphasized that this is an ethical and institutional reassessment, not a criminal one. "A prize called 'The Glass of Reason' cannot, in its conviction, stand solely for political or diplomatic acumen," the statement read. "Reason also presupposes respect for human dignity, personal integrity, and the inviolability of other people."

Rød-Larsen will be given an opportunity to respond to the demand. Jeffrey Epstein, a financier, was a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in prison in 2019. The Kassel Civic Award, established in 1990, honors individuals who have contributed to enlightenment, reason, and tolerance. Previous recipients include whistleblower Edward Snowden and former German President Joachim Gauck.