THE PEACE PRIZE EXHIBITION 2022

In 2022, the Nobel Peace Prize was jointly awarded to the human rights activist Ales Bialiatski from Belarus, the Russian human rights organization Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties.

This year’s peace prize laureates fight a tireless battle for democracy and human rights in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. The laureates are from three different countries and are faced with three unique and challenging situations. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the work of human rights organizations has become even more difficult — and even more important.

This year’s peace prize exhibition shows how civil society is an important channel for criticism of power and a counterweight to anti­ democratic tendencies. The exhibition showcases the three peace prize laureates and their work.

In collaboration with Magnum Photos, the exhibition also features images from civil protests of recent years. All over the world, people are coming together to stand up for their rights and express their disagreement with the authorities.

PAPER AS A WEAPON

Human rights defenders monitor situations around the world. This human rights work, which is carried out by lawyers, activists, journalists and volunteers, results in piles of reports. The findings they contain are used to influence authorities and inform the international community.

WHY DOES MEMORY MATTER?

Memorial began as a network of volunteers with a desire to preserve the collective memories of historical abuses committed in the Soviet Union. When the country opened up to the outside world at the end of the 1980s, its population learned about the abuses committed during the Soviet period. The founders of Memorial wanted to establish a research center to reveal the dark history of the Soviet Union. They wanted to establish memorials for the victims.

THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM

Three front pages from the Belarusian opposition newspaper "The right to freedom". Ales was one of the founders of the newspaper.

1. Fourth edition 1998: Picture from a trial, with the headline “Heroes of our time” about the activists who are willing to risk prison for what they believe in. 2. Fifth edition 1998: Caricature of an executioner painting over the red and white flag, which symbolizes Belarusian identity and opposition to the current government. 3. Seventh edition 1998: The front page shows a drawing of the current president Alexander Lukashenko, with the headline “Don’t criticize the president, he rules as well as he is able to…"

ORGANIZATIONS AS HUBS

Human rights organizations also function as hubs for collaboration and coordination. The organizations hold, among others, social events, human rights education, demonstrations, conferences, film screenings, historical walks, lectures and discussion groups.

MORE THAN WORDS

For the peace prize laureates, communication is more than words. These organizations use drawings and visual material in their work. They work closely with cartoonists to produce material used both for campaigning and as information in social media.

TO HIGHLIGHT INJUSTICE

The Memorial Human Rights Center has operated as a logistics center in situations where the Russian population has needed support. It documents human rights violations in both Russia and abroad.

Memorial is an aid channel for immigrants and asylum seekers and provides legal assistance to groups that are oppressed by the authorities.

A PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE IN PRISON

Ales Bialiatski is one of more than 1,400 political prisoners held in Belarus. He is kept in a damp prison cell in a basement in Minsk. His family and friends send him letters, but receive no reply and know little about how he is.

ORDINARY PEOPLE

When does freedom of expression become activism? How do ordinary people react to tyranny and oppression? Defending our rights can range from writing a letter, spraying a slogan, or joining a protest, to throwing a Molotov cocktail.

The right to freedom of political expression is essential to a healthy democracy. Under authoritarian rule, protest against those in power can lead to imprisonment or death.

The Nobel Peace Prize 2022 celebrates the bravery of ordinary people. We welcome you to explore this photo series and encourage you to reflect on what made these people take action. What would you do in their place? 

When do ordinary people become activists?

DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE WAR IN UKRAINE

London, the UK. 26 February 2022.

Demonstration against Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine, outside Downing Street, London. Hundreds of people demonstrated their support for Ukraine, revulsion at Russia’s invasion and demanded stronger action from the West.

STUDENT PROTEST IN IRAN

Iran, 2018.

“We were all together on Friday night and on Saturday, after university hours we joined people on the street. After the beginning of the arrests and the pressure from the police, the protests ended, and we didn't go to the streets anymore. Some of our friends were arrested, we are worried for them. There are many conflicts and differences among the university students. So, you can't exactly say what you want.

Our main concern is to support people, mostly the lower class and workers. For us it is important to add women's rights to these protests. We think that we will see the results of these protests clearly in the next elections; how many of the people will vote? We voted for President Rouhani because we believed in reform, but now we see this is not a possible way to make changes. We need to find new alternatives.”

IDLE NO MORE

Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 16 January 2013.

Idle No More, a native rights protest at the US/Canadian border blocking traffic at Ambassador Bridge. In support of Chief Theresa Spence's six-week-long hunger strike for better housing for indigenous people.

POLICE AT WOMEN'S MARCH

Midtown Manhattan, New York, the USA. 21 January 2017.

Prompted by Donald Trump's misogynistic policy positions, the 2017 Women's March took place the day after Trump was inaugurated as President. The Women’s March was the largest single-day protest in American history. Crowds of demonstrators convened in cities nationwide for peaceful marches. No arrests were made.