PRIO Director Kristian Berg Harpviken's shortlist for the Nobel Peace Prize is out, with the Russian activist and human rights contender Svetlana Gannushkina on top.
Harpviken also finds that nuclear deal negotiators Ernest Moniz and Ali Akbar Salehi; Syrian rescue workers The White Helmets; Edward Snowden; and the Congolese trio Jeanne Nacatche Banyere, Jeannette Kahindo Bindu and Dr. Denis Mukwege are potential candidates for this year's prize.
Originally featuring on the speculations list were Colombian President Santos and FARC leader Jimenez for their reaching a peace agreement between the government and FARC. Although not diminishing the efforts and compromises of these two, the people's rejection of the peace deal in this weekend's referendum means that the peace and reconciliation potential of the agreement is significantly hampered, and a Nobel Peace Prize unlikely.
For more on the candidates and the reasoning behind the listing, see https://www.prio.org/About/PeacePrize/PRIO-Directors-Speculations-2016/.
Harpviken is available for comments and clarifications regarding his speculations. For interview requests, please contact Halvor Berggrav or Iver Kleiven.
