The Nobel Peace Prize: A Controversial Honor Amid Global Turmoil
The Nobel Peace Prize, a prestigious award recognizing those who champion peace and fraternity, has sparked debates and controversies. While past recipients include renowned figures like Narges Mohammadi, the Dalai Lama, and Martin Luther King, the 2025 nominations have ignited discussions, especially with US President Donald Trump's vocal desire to join this esteemed list.
Trump, claiming to have ended seven wars in his tenure, believes he merits the prize. However, his actions paint a different picture. His second term began with threats to annex Greenland and control the Panama Canal, coupled with drastic cuts in international aid and mass deportations. A Lancet study predicts his decision to eliminate USAID could lead to 14 million deaths worldwide. Trump's policies seem at odds with the Nobel Peace Prize's core values.
This year's contenders, to be announced in Oslo, include a diverse group of humanitarian organizations, political figures, and civil society leaders. Here's a glimpse into some of the potential winners:
Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs): A network of over 700 community organizations in Sudan, ERRs provide essential services typically managed by governments. Amid a brutal war, ERR volunteers offer medical aid, communal kitchens, and evacuations. They also document the conflict, providing vital information to the media. Recognizing ERRs would spotlight the bravery of volunteers in a crisis that has displaced 13 million, largely overlooked by the global community.
Volodymyr Zelensky: The Ukrainian President has symbolized resistance to the Russian invasion. With peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow stalled, Zelensky's nomination could garner further support for Ukraine.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF): In 2021, the Nobel Committee celebrated press freedom by awarding journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov. Honoring RSF again would acknowledge the dangers journalists face, especially in war zones like the Gaza Strip, and the global struggle for press independence. RSF reports that over 210 journalists have been killed in the Palestinian enclave during Israeli operations in the last two years.
Mahrang Baloch: A prominent Pakistani human rights activist, Baloch has advocated for the Baloch ethnic minority, facing abductions and extrajudicial killings. Imprisoned since March in Quetta, she faces terrorism and murder charges. If awarded, Baloch would be the second Pakistani woman to receive the prize, following Malala Yousafzai.
International Criminal Court (ICC): Despite US sanctions, the ICC continues its work. Recognizing the ICC would be a symbolic gesture, especially after issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including PM Benjamin Netanyahu, for crimes against humanity, and investigating alleged war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan. The ICC has a history of prosecuting leaders for genocide and war crimes.
Yulia Navalnaya: Widowed by the suspicious death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Yulia has vowed to continue his activism. Her new TV channel, 'Future of Russia,' counters Kremlin propaganda. A Nobel win could spotlight Russian civil society's struggles amid heightened repression since the 2022 Ukraine invasion. The Nobel Committee has previously honored Soviet human rights advocates.
Chow Hang-tung: A Hong Kong lawyer and activist, Chow has opposed Chinese authorities. As a leader in the Hong Kong Alliance, she organized Tiananmen Square massacre vigils. Facing arrests, she was recently detained for alleged seditious posts. She could face a decade in prison under the national security law.
Standing Together: This Israeli-Palestinian peace group opposes West Bank settlements and advocates for equality. Since the 2023 Hamas attacks, they've led anti-war protests and supported humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani: Qatar's PM and Foreign Minister, al-Thani mediated the Hamas-Israel ceasefire. Qatar has facilitated US-Taliban talks and mediated in Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen. Recognizing al-Thani would emphasize regional actors' role in peace.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO): Unlikely to win, awarding NATO might reinforce Western bias claims. Yet, it could send a message that increased defense spending isn't the path to peace.
And here's the twist: despite Trump's self-proclaimed peace achievements, his policies have raised concerns. But will the Nobel Committee consider his nomination? The decision will undoubtedly spark debates. What do you think? Should the Nobel Peace Prize be awarded based solely on peace advocacy, or should it also consider the broader impact of a nominee's actions?
