The Nobel Peace Prize stays inseparably linked to the individual or organisation that gained it, although the medal could be given away, the Norwegian Nobel Committee stated after final yr’s winner gave her medal to US President Donald Trump.
Venezuelan opposition chief Maria Corina Machado gave her medal on Thursday to Trump, who thanked her for it. The White Home launched a photograph of Trump and Machado, with Trump holding up a gold-coloured body displaying it, and a White Home official stated Trump intends to maintain it.
Machado’s award additionally consists of a diploma and 11 million Swedish crowns (US$1.19 million).
In a press release, the award physique stated: “No matter what might occur to the medal, the diploma, or the prize cash, it’s and stays the unique laureate who’s recorded in historical past because the recipient of the prize.
“There aren’t any restrictions within the statutes of the Nobel Basis on what a laureate might do with the medal, the diploma, or the prize cash. Because of this a laureate is free to maintain, give away, promote, or donate these things.”
The medal and the diploma are bodily symbols confirming that a person or organisation has been awarded the prize, stated the five-strong award committee.
“The prize itself – the honour and recognition – stays inseparably linked to the individual or organisation designated because the laureate by the Norwegian Nobel Committee,” it stated.
The committee, which didn’t confer with Trump and Machado by title in its assertion, stated it doesn’t touch upon a laureate’s statements, choices or actions after the prize is introduced.
It was not the primary time a Nobel laureate has given away the medal. In 1943, Nobel literature laureate Knut Hamsun gave his to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.
In 2022, Nobel Peace laureate Dmitry Muratov bought his medal for US$100 million to lift cash for the UN Kids’s Fund UNICEF to assist Ukrainian refugee youngsters.
In 2024, the widow of former UN Secretary-Common Kofi Annan donated his 2001 Nobel Peace Prize medal and diploma to the UN workplace in Geneva.
Machado gave her Nobel Peace Prize medal in a bid to affect his efforts to form her nation’s political future.
In a social media put up on Thursday night, Trump wrote: “Maria introduced me together with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I’ve carried out. Such a beautiful gesture of mutual respect. Thanks Maria!”
Machado, who described the assembly as “wonderful”, stated the reward was in recognition of what she referred to as his dedication to the liberty of the Venezuelan folks.
Accompanying textual content with the medal learn: “To President Donald J Trump In Gratitude for Your Extraordinary Management in Selling Peace by Power”, and Machado labelled the gesture as a “Private Image of Gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan Folks.”
Machado’s try and sway Trump got here after he dismissed the concept of putting in her as Venezuela’s chief to switch the deposed Nicolas Maduro.
Trump overtly campaigned for the prize earlier than Machado was awarded it final month and complained bitterly when he was snubbed.
