For the third consecutive year, the Nobel Peace Center invites the public to an international peace conference and an outdoor festival in Oslo. The Nobel Peace Conference and Festival finish a year of events related to the latest Nobel Peace Prize, and this year’s topic is “Human Rights Heroes”. Thursday 31 August five Nobel Prize laureates, together with young activists and experts, will gather in Oslo to discuss the contribution human rights defenders make to democracy and peace.

“We are very proud to have so many Nobel Prize laureates among the speakers”, said Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center, Kjersti Fløgstad. “In addition to last year’s laureates, two women who have sacrificed a lot in their struggle for human rights are coming to Oslo; Rigoberta Menchú Tum and Shirin Ebadi.”

Iran and indigenous rights

The Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski, the Russia organization Memorial, and the Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo last year. They were rewarded for their efforts to document war crimes, human rights violations, and abuse of power. When representatives of the three laureates return to Oslo next week, they will again share the same stage. The Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi, who is supporting the women’s rights activists in her home country from exile, is to hold the opening keynote. Rigoberta Menchú Tum from Guatemala will meet the Norwegian Sámi activist Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen to discuss indigenous rights. In addition, Beatrice Fihn, who led the International Campaign to abolish nuclear weapons, which was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017, will meet the Norwegian climate activist Gina Gylver. For the full conference programme, see the Nobel Peace Center’s website.

“The people who are fighting for our common rights are facing threats and prosecution many places in the world. The conference will celebrate their brave work and provide support for future actions”, said Fløgstad.