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The Nobel Peace Prize 2016: Juan Manuel Santos

nobelprize.org

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Re: The Nobel Peace Prize 2016: Juan Manuel Santos

#2

Post by okket » 

  The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the
  Nobel Peace Prize for 2016 to Colombian President Juan
  Manuel Santos for his resolute efforts to bring the
  country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end, a war
  that has cost the lives of at least 220 000 Colombians and
  displaced close to six million people.

  The award should also be seen as a tribute to the Colombian
  people who, despite great hardships and abuses, have not
  given up hope of a just peace, and to all the parties who
  have contributed to the peace process. This tribute is
  paid, not least, to the representatives of the countless
  victims of the civil war.
See also the answer to the question: "Does this year's prize encourage a process more than a result, since a slim majority of Colombians voted no?"

https://twitter.com/NobelPrize/status/784323887374831617

Re: The Nobel Peace Prize 2016: Juan Manuel Santos

#4

Post by seesomesense »

"During his time as Defence Minister, notable controversial events included a military raid inside Ecuador's territory that killed FARC leader Raúl Reyes on 1 March 2008.

In 2008 the 'false positives' scandal was uncovered,referring to revelations concerning extrajudicial executions carried out by members of the military in order to artificially increase the number of guerrillas killed by the Army and claim rewards from the government. On 4 November 2008, Santos admitted that the military had carried out extrajudicial executions

There was a misuse of an International Committee of the Red Cross symbol during Operation Jaque used to safely rescue hostages from FARC."

Now extra-judicial killings are no bar to being given the Nobel "Peace" Prize. The least credible of the Nobel Prizes continues to deliver....

Re: The Nobel Peace Prize 2016: Juan Manuel Santos

#5

Post by chkuendig »

Related: http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/05/americas/colombia-ceasefir...

This is quite unfortunate timing. But I guess they couldn't find somebody else on short notice after the referendum on the peace deal failed. (also, it's not the first time this prize has been awarded for intentions instead of results)

Re: The Nobel Peace Prize 2016: Juan Manuel Santos

#7

Post by tsaprailis »

seesomesense wrote: post #4

"During his time as Defence Minister, notable controversial events included a military raid inside Ecuador's territory that killed FARC leader Raúl Reyes on 1 March 2008. In 2008 the 'false positives' scandal was uncovered,referring to revelations concerning extrajudicial executions carried out by members of the military in order to artificially increase the number of guerrillas killed by the Army and claim rewards f…

This is a very complicated issue. There have been many crimes committed by both sides. The FARC themselves came out with an apology on all the victims they have kidnapped over the years. I think the point of the prize is not to delete his older actions but rather to congratulate him for his attempts to finally bring an end to a civil war that has costed hundreds of thousands of lives over the years. Just like the rest of the prizes are given for specific discoveries by scientists, and not for their every discovery during their life's work, similarly his action on trying to end the civil war was deemed worthy. Additionally actions are judged relative to one another and 2016 has not a good year for peace actions.

Re: The Nobel Peace Prize 2016: Juan Manuel Santos

#8

Post by jagermo »

Interesting choice, especially since the referendum itself fell through. But it is a strong signal for Santos and the FARC to work out a new deal.

Ending a 50 year civil war would be amazing for Colombia. Kudos to the comittee for taking such an "old" conflict and not picking up a (for lack of a better word) "hip" topic.

I do not mean that the White Helmets or every other Organisation on the short list would not have earned the price, however I think it is a good thing that they try to strengthen a peace process that would put an end to such a long-lasting conflict.

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