Not unexpectedly, the 2022 peace prize has a clear finger pointed at Putin. The war Putin started in Ukraine had to be shown in one way or another through the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize. Many considered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj as their favorite. The problem is that the deadline for submitting candidates to the Nobel Committee had expired when the war started on 24 February. His name has probably been proposed, but is not relevant until 2023. I am happy for a proper allocation and am glad that it is divided into three. A symbol that forces in the three countries Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are working for democracy and human rights.

What makes the peace prize a finger pointing at Putin?

All three winners have fought a long battle for democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The memorial was founded in its time by peace prize winner Andrei Sakharov. The organization is currently active in a number of former Soviet states. In addition to its fight for the rule of law, democracy and human rights today, the organization has worked to expose the old concentration camps during the Stalin era(the Gulag camps).

Belarusian winner Ales Bialiatski represents the more than 1,500 political prisoners in Russia. If we include a large number who have left the country, we will understand that criticism of the Belarusian dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko. Since the 1980s, Ales Bialiatski has been one of the leading figures in the fight for democratic development in Belarus. The authorities have tried several times to silence him and other champions of democratic development. He was, among other things, imprisoned from 2011 to 2014. Following the protests that arose in the wake of the 2020 election, he was re-imprisoned and is now imprisoned without conviction.

The Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties organization “The Center for Civil Liberties” is the third of this year’s winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. The organization was started in 2007 and has fought a fight for increased legal security and democracy in Ukraine and a fight against bureaucracy. They have also uncovered war crimes committed in Donbas since 2014. Parts of Donbas were then occupied by pro-Russian rebels with military and financial support from Russia. After 24 February, they chose to stay in Kyiv to be present and uncover possible war crimes. They have uncovered a number of war crimes together with other international organizations in areas that Russian forces have lost.

Together, these three winners are a clear pointer against Putin’s war in Ukraine, violations of basic human rights and for democratic development.

A prize for all who fight against totalitarian regimes

This year’s peace prize is also a victory for others who daily fight a battle against totalitarian regimes worldwide. It is also a symbol that the fight for democracy, development and human rights is an international fight.

“I congratulate the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2022. At the same time, I am happy for an award with such a clear pointing finger to Russia and the support for democratic development in post-Soviet countries.

Sources:

Nobel Peace Prize for 2022 – Nobel Peace Prize

Ales Bialiatski – Wikipedia

The Center for Civil Liberties – Wikipedia

Memorial – Wikipedia