The Nobel Peace Prize 2022 has been awarded to jailed Belarus rights activist Ales Bialiatski, the Russian group Memorial and the Ukrainian organisation Center for Civil Liberties.
The winner was announced on Friday in Oslo by Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
"The Peace Prize laureates represent civil society in their home countries. They have for many years promoted the right to criticise power and protect the fundamental rights of citizens," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said in its citation. "They have made an outstanding effort to document war crimes, human right abuses and the abuse of power. Together they demonstrate the significance of civil society for peace and democracy," it stated.
In a crackdown on opponents of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Belarusian security police in July last year raided offices and homes of human rights activists, detaining Bialiatski and others. Belarus opposition on Friday hailed the recognition for Bialiatski. "That's a huge sign of recognition for the Belarusian people, because the Belarusian people deserves it for their bravery in countering the tyranny of Lukashenko," Viacorka, chief of staff to exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told Reuters.
Ukraine's Centre for Civil Liberties said it was proud to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Nobel Prize announcements kicked off Monday. French author Annie Ernaux won this year's Nobel Prize in literature on Thursday.
