A prize for civil society and human rights defenders

Nobel Field at the Nobel Peace Center
Photo: Johannes Granseth / Nobel Peace Center

The Nobel Peace Prize to Ales Bialiatski, Memorial and Center for Civil Liberties is a strong signal in troubled times, said executive director Kjersti Fløgstad. The new laureates are now displayed in the exhibition The Nobel Field.

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2022 is awarded to Ales Bialiatski from Belarus, the Russian human rights organisation Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organisation Center for Civil Liberties. They are awarded the prize for their efforts to document war crimes, human right abuses and the abuse of power. Together they demonstrate the significance of civil society for peace and democracy.

Shortly after the announcement of the prize in Oslo, the new laureates were displayed in the Nobel Field exhibition at the Nobel Peace Center, together with all the other laureates.

“This is a very timely award in an uneasy time for Europe. It supports actors working for peace, democracy and human right in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine,” says Nobel Peace Center Executive Director Kjersti Fløgstad.

“The prize sets a spotlight on the role civil society plays in criticizing power and protecting the fundamental rights of citizens, thereby supporting peace and democracy. It also shows that the actions of one person can make a difference, she said.

At the stroke of noon, a white peace dove was released from the windows of the Nobel Peace Center, carrying the good news of the week. The news this Friday was, of course, about the new Nobel Peace Prize laurate.

Matylda Mierzynska from Save the Children’s Peace Prize Party Committee took part in sending the peace dove on its journey. «Human rights are important for children and we look forward to make a party for this year’s laureates”, she said.

Peace dove flying from the Nobel Peace Center
Photo: Johannes Granseth / Nobel Peace Center

At the Nobel Peace Center, work is now starting on the Nobel Peace Prize Exhibition 2022, which will open on 11 December - the day after the award ceremony in Oslo City Hall.

"We look forward to spending an entire year communicating the courageous work of the three laureates and their important cause. We warmly congratulate them on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize."