Nobel Peace Prize winners hailed for ‘outstanding courage’ | Russia-Ukraine war News
The reactions came after Belarusian human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski, Russia’s Memorial group and Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties Nobel Peace Prize 2022.
The highly symbolic selection of winners from the three countries at the heart of the Ukraine war were mostly greeted with praise, but Belarus and a senior aide to the Ukrainian president were criticized. the choice of the winners.
European Union
EU head Ursula von der Leyen praised the “excellent courage” of Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian rights activists.
“The Nobel Prize Committee has recognized the outstanding courage of women and men against autocracy. They show the true power of civil society in the fight for democracy,” von der Leyen said on Twitter.
The @Nobel Prize The Commission recognized the outstanding courage of women and men against autocracy.⁰
They demonstrate the true strength of civil society in the struggle for democracy.Tell their stories.
Share their participation.
Help make the world a freer place. pic.twitter.com/45AFJSx1J7– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 7, 2022
United Nation
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated the winners and said civil society groups are “the lifeblood of democracy and a catalyst for peace, social progress and economic growth.” “.
“They help hold governments accountable and bring the voices of the vulnerable into the halls of power,” he added, calling on the world to support “those who bravely defend universal values of peace, hope and dignity for all” in the face of increasing attacks.
France
President Emmanuel Macron hailed the winners of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia as “steadfast defenders of human rights in Europe”.
He posted on Twitter: “As peacemakers, they can count on French support.
Germany
The federal government in Berlin emphasizes the “exceptional” commitment of the three groups to the development of democracy, human rights and civil liberties.
“They protested against oppression and moves against peaceful forces in civil society as we live in Russia and especially Belarus.”
Ukraine
A senior aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced his displeasure that the award was divided among organizations from countries allied with Ukraine: Russia and Belarus.
“The Nobel committee has an interesting interpretation of the word ‘peace’ if representatives of two countries attack a third country and receive the Nobel Prize,” presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said on Twitter.
The Nobel Committee has an interesting interpretation of the word “peace” if representatives of two countries attack a third country receiving @Nobel Prize together. Neither Russian nor Belarusian organizations could organize resistance. This year’s Nobel was “wonderful”.
– айло одоляк (@Podolyak_M) October 7, 2022
Belarus
Belarus accused the Nobel committee of awarding the prestigious peace prize to imprisoned activist Ales Bialiatski, saying founder Alfred Nobel was “dead on the spot”.
“In recent years, some of the fundamental decisions of the Nobel Committee have been politicized to the point that, sorry, Alfred Nobel is suffering and stuck in place,” State Department spokeswoman Anatoly Glaz said in a statement. Twitter.
Belarusian opposition
Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid tribute to Ales Bialiatski, noting that he celebrated his 60th birthday in prison on September 25 as when he turned 50.
“His story is the story of our country – a decades-long struggle for freedom. I am so proud that he received the Nobel Peace Prize! ” she wrote on Twitter.
You may not know, but Ales celebrated his 60th birthday in prison on September 25th. He also celebrated his 50th birthday in prison. His story is the story of our country – a decades-long struggle for freedom. I am so proud that he received the Nobel Peace Prize! pic.twitter.com/rDGwvQw1b2
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) October 7, 2022
Amnesty International
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said, “The Nobel Committee is sending an important message to the world – that it must support human rights defenders who have shown outstanding efforts. in documenting war crimes, human rights violations and abuses of power. in their countries.
Callamard said: “This message is sent at a critical time when Russia’s continued aggression has led to a human rights crisis of staggering proportions in Ukraine, and persecution of any kind. any form of dissent in Russia and Belarus”.
“Amnesty International is in solidarity with Ales Bialiatski, the Memorial and the Center for Civil Liberties. All three are an inspiration and an example of courage and dedication to all human rights activists in Eastern Europe.”