Simon Simoudis: Above Power and Politics: The Nobel Committee’s Wise Choice for Peace

The most coveted of all the Nobel Prizes has been announced. There had been lots of speculations regarding this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. This year, the Committee has chosen María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader. I, Simon Simoudis, salute the Nobel Prize committee for displaying integrity, fairness, and moral courage in selecting the right candidate. They didn’t bow to the immense pressure exerted on them from the high and mighty. This is how they have maintained the sanctity of the institution, trusted by the world. It has reaffirmed that the Nobel Peace Prize remains above politics, power, and popularity. It stands for conviction, sacrifice, and the unyielding pursuit of freedom.

María Corina Machado, the 58-year-old leader of the opposition from Venezuela, fully deserved this award. Venezuela has been under an autocrat for decades, and the dictator doesn’t tolerate any opposition in his country. Opposition leaders have been killed in the past, and María Corina Machado risked her life to carry on the fight for democracy.

María Corina Machado is not a name born of privilege. For years, she has stood as the face and voice of Venezuela’s struggle for democracy, even when it meant living in danger. When countless leaders and ordinary citizens fled the country in fear and despair, this woman chose to stay. She defied intimidation, arrest warrants, and threats to her life. She refused to abandon her people or her principles. 

In 2023, she won her country’s opposition primary. The regime saw her as a threat, and consequently, she was barred from contesting the election. She didn’t budge a bit despite all threats to life or imprisonment. And with her around, the hopes for democracy are alive in the hearts of the Venezuelans. I, Simon Simoudis, admire people like her, who are ready to sacrifice anything for their cause.

The Nobel Committee recognized her contribution to democracy, human rights, dignity, and justice. She is a hope not just for Venezuela, but for every country going through dark times, where truth, fairness, will of the people are stifled with brute force.

I, Simon Simoudis, fully support this decision by the Nobel Committee, as the rest of the world also does. But some are disgruntled by this choice. And that includes President Trump. Ironically, the US and President Trump had been supportive of María Corina Machado’s efforts to bring back democracy in Venezuela. 

But he thought he had done enough to deserve the peace prize. There were some world leaders, including those from Israel and Pakistan, who also advocated for President Trump. They thought his involvement in mediating international conflicts and his claims of fostering global stability made him a deserving candidate. President Trump was very vocal about his candidacy.

But all the pressure didn’t work on the Nobel Committee. The Committee did not fall for spectacle or political influence. Trump and his supporters may feel that he has stopped many wars, but the Committee and even some countries involved in such wars don’t agree with him. India has vehemently denied Trump’s claims many times. 

According to the Committee, every politician believes that they deserve the award. But they are not influenced by any such pressure. Instead, they carefully look at every aspect of the candidate and pick the very best. This year, the Committee had a list of 338 candidates,  of which 244 were individuals and 94 were organizations.

Courage and integrity have kept the reputation of the Nobel Prize intact. They don’t see who the person is; instead, they focus on the work and its impact. And once again, I, Simon Simoudis, feel the Nobel Committee has reminded the world that true peace is built not by power, but by courage and conscience.
Location: Australia

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